K-fashion

2ne1 in red carpet

Prints on prints and loud colors are not that   appealing in the fashion industry... but that was in  the past. Now new trends in fashion had been set by k-pop idols. As fans we don't only love k-pop music, we also love the idols' fashion. We love their fashion to the extent of some of us wear leather jackets in hot countries. I personally love to search for shoes like the ones they wear, I think that every shoes that they wear are very different and shows attitude.

I came across in miketastic's article on http://www.allkpop.com/2012/10/way-back-wednesday-fashion-flashback Way Back Wednesday: Fashion Flashback about Korean fashion, he/she stated that "there was also one other very important element that helped K-pop gain legions of fans; the fashion. In all the writing that I've done on the subject of Korean music, I always try to include fashion where I can because it was an absolutely integral part of the entire k-pop experience".

It only means that fashion has always been a part of  Korean pop music. So whenever k-pop is mentioned, it only means two things: music and fashion. Some of the fashion of the Korean artist are weirder than others.

One of the most popular artists with weird and unique fashion sense is J.Y. Park (the owner of one of the most famous agency in Korea J.Y.P that produces popular k-pop idol groups like 2PM, 2AM, Wondergirls and many more). His wardrobe consists of plastic see-through pants and clothes that most people would think that only women would wear. In spite all of that, the Korean artists and fans look up to his sense of style, a trademark that only he would only dare to wear.

An example of J.Y.P's unique fashion sense

Adam Lambert, an alumni of American Idol season 8 was invited to the MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards) as a guest performer. He had the opportunity to perform and see the one of the most prestigious awards nights in Korea and when he first saw Big Bang he said that their style is his vibe and that he wanted to go steal all of their clothes, he also wanted to have an opportunity to work with the said group's stylists one day. He also noticed and commented on how expressive Korean groups are when it comes to fashion. This only means that k-pop fashion is slowly gaining its popularity, it not only gets the interest of fans but other people as well.

Compilation of Adam Lambert's praises about Korean fashion

Big Bang's members all have unique fashion senses 

So based on the statement above, I understood that fashion has always been a factor on why k-pop fans get addicted to it. Whenever k-pop is mentioned, music and  fashion would always pop out of people's minds. Without the fashion sense of the k-pop idols, k-pop would never be as famous as it is now. Now I immediately know who are k-pop fans just by looking at them, some of them wear a similar hat that I saw in one of G-Dragon's music videos, some of them wear a similar blouse or shirt  to one of 2ne1's member. 

K-food

A traditional Kimchi

Having a healthy diet means that you have to balance the go, grow and glow foods; however, most of us don't eat food complete with these foods that  our body needs. I for one don't like vegetables that much, but that was before I got interested in K-pop.

As a fan of K-pop, I really got interested in their language and culture especially their food. In K-pop Tasty Road - in where the hosts; Eli of UKiss and NS Yoon G, a solo artist venture around Seoul and tour the viewers in where the famous K-pop stars usually eat and date -I found out that Koreans really like to eat their food with kimchi (a spicy korean dish which is traditionally fermented with a variety of vegetables and seasonings), they had different ways of cooking it like making a kimchi stew and many more. When I first tasted it, I found out that it was a bit weird and spicy but then I got used to it and later on became one of my favorite dishes. Soon, I found vegetables delicious and I feel that my meals are not complete without it.

Eli and NS Yoon G in a famous dating restaurant in Korea

While I was searching for the benefits of Korean cuisine, I came across Joyce Hendley's  article of the Ying and Yang of Korean Cuisine (http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/food_travel/discover_the_health_benefits_of_korean_cooking). She said there that "among the traditions that may help keep Korean slim and healthy is including soup at every meal, which means filling up on a relatively low-calorie but satisfying food. Studies show that soup eaters tend to eat less high-calorie fare later". She also said that Koreans only treat meat as a condiment rather that a main dish keeping their saturated-fat intake low, they only get 20 percent of their calories from fat.

So based on my understanding in the article, Korean's food are naturally healthy making the Korean idols maintain their slim and fit body. Unlike other artists in other countries -especially in America which most people prefer meat as their main course- Korean idols can easily get the kind of diet they want. So one of the reasons fans look up to them is their physical attributes and one of their secret to that is the food that they eat; because of that, fans eat the same food that their idols eat.

And so I began to notice that fans, in general are slowly changing their diet into something close to Korean food. I had friends who loves to eat Korean food after they got interested in k-pop, most of them likes to eat kimbap (Korean style sushi). Fans also believed what the idols advised them to eat, if the idols told them to eat vegetables to make your skin richer, they would eat it.

Kimbap

I think that by slowly loving k-pop, fans begin to also love korean food, language and culture altogether. I also see that these days, k-pop idols became trend setters when it comes to their lifestyle which help promote Korea to foreigners.

Why K-pop?

When listening or watching k-pop, are your parents and siblings keep on asking you why do you like k-pop? Do they keep on asking you why you listen to a genre of music that you don’t understand? Whenever we travel, my family always likes to play songs in the car but when my turn comes; my parents would always complain about the music that I play. Why? Because even I don't understand most of what the song means without searching its English meaning in the internet. However, my parents and my brother liked the rhythm and variations of each music that I play.

Sistar's famous leg dance in their single 'Alone'

According to Prof. Wendell Capili, a University of the Philippines in the website http://immortalsoul123.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/pop-culture-expert-explains-kpop-phenomenon-in-the-philippines/ with the article Pop Culture Expert Explains KPop Phenomenon in the Philippines wriiten by immortalsoul123:

"Music is a universal language, so unang-unang appeal nung KPOP ay 'yung melody nito, medyo catchy, medyo madaling maintindihan. Sa wikang Ingles, tinatawag nating perky, masyadong magaan... lalo na ang demographic ng KPOP ay mga bata." (Music is a universal language, so k-pop's first appeal to its audiences is its audiences is its melody, it's catchy and it can be easily understood. In English, we call it perky, very light... Specially that it appeals mostly to audiences who are younger in demographic.)

Meaning that one of the reason on why k-pop is well liked is because of its melody and its perkiness. Most teenagers this days like pop music especially if it's easy to listen to. So why are people or rather k-pop fans addicted to the music? My parents would always say that they like the rhythm of the song while my brother said that he likes the variations of the music and he would also say that he likes the way how polished their dance steps are. In my opinion, I (together with other k-pop fanatic friends) also liked how the way programs like "We Got Married", "Strong Heart" and "The Beatles Code" would showcase the idols showing their different personalities.

INFINITE poses for a magazine

Urban Dictionary defined Korean popular music or K-pop as a musical genre that is originated from South Korea that consists of electronic, R&B, hip hop, rock and many more. The music videos are really visually entertaining and the settings are well designed and planned, also the fashion of the idols are different, breaking and building new boundaries in the fashion world.

The artists also pleasantly  present themselves in front of their fans and the public. They also not only constantly change their styles but as well as their appearance (meaning some if not most of them undergo plastic surgery and change their faces) to keep their fans interested and as well gain new ones.

Girls Generations' fashion and realistic music video background

    

So basically we, the audiences disregards the fact that we don't understand it but instead we focus on its arrangements (namely the melody, the styles, the backdrops and many more). Here are the facts that I have gathered and learned on why k-pop is addictive:

• The artists constantly change their appearances and styles.
• The melody and rhythm of the songs are very catchy.
• The production values of the music videos.
• The dance steps are engaging and well polished.
• The way the idols are showcased in programs.

As a fan of k-pop I am amazed how Korean music evolved in a way that fans from different countries form friendships, disregarding the fact that there are language barriers. For me K-pop became a bridge to fans to bond and get along better.

Kamsahamnida! <3