K-Pop,
or Korean Popular Music, is a musical genre consisting of dance,
electronic, electropop, hip hop, rock, and R&B music originating in South
Korea. There are definite westernized influences
that permeate the music and fashion in these videos, but it’s only the starting
point for these bands. This wave of
music has elements of US/UK girl and boy bands from the eighties and nineties.
Even though you may not understand the words, it’s easy to connect with the
imagery and melodies; these videos are eye candy for a new generation. With
high production values these promotional videos span the range from surrealistic to post-apocalyptic.
I use the English translation for these groups, though most of these
bands go by multiple names and slang terms in the K-Pop Culture.
Having a list of K-Pop groups is like trying to
compile a list of American music. There
are so many groups and genres that it would be difficult to list them all—it’s
like trying to slap a label on an entire nation. There is no need for these bands to export their music out of the
region, because there are millions of people in and around South Korea that sustain
this multi-million dollar music industry. Just consider the amount of people in
the surrounding areas of Korea, and they really don’t need American or even
European Audiences, but that is no longer the case. Though Facebook, Twitter, i-tunes, and Youtube, these bands are
starting to make their presence known to the world stage. SMEntertainment, which promotes a few of these artists, has started reaching
out to US audiences by booking mega-shows in major cities. You will see many of these artists sharing the
bill as they take the world by storm. According to an article reprinted by Wikipedia
[TIME Magazine: Korean Pop – Show Me the Money (dead link to
article)], there is a major push to develop new girl groups/boy bands, which
takes almost two years of development at a price tag that can reach upwards of
$400,000. This is similar to what Barry
Gordy did with Motown back in the sixties and seventies, but with a lot more financial resources. Regardless, South Korea means business,
music business that is.
I’ve included a couple of Youtube music channels,
but it only scratches the surface of this vivacious music
industry.
Playlist for Korean PopGroups. I’ve included a few more
bands in this list, but again, this is no way a comprehensive list, these are
just the most popular groups.
1. F(x) – “Electric
Shock”(2012)
If you like the bouncy sound of Lady GaGa’s “Telephone,”
then you are really going to like this song.
The group consisting of Krystal Jung, Sulli Choi, Luna,
Victoria, and Amber, developed over a six-year period from
2000-2006 and is billed as “Asia’s Pop Dance Group.” I almost fell out of my chair when I saw a Dead Kennedy’s
logo on one of the girl’s jacket within the first few minutes of the song. Loosely translated, this song is how a girl
feels about a boy—giving her an electric shock. Signed to SM Entertainment
in 2009 F(x)’s name is a play on the mathematical notation for function, and
when input with different 'x', there can be many different outcomes. The f
stands for flower and the x represents the female's double x chromosome. f(x)
strives to be the kind of girl group that can change and adapt to many
situations.
2. SHINee “Sherlock
(Clue + Note)”(2012)
This is the title song from their 2012 comeback
album “Sherlock,” though SM Entertainment formed the band in
2008. Is it really a comeback when it’s
only been four years? The group consists of Onew, Jonghyun, Key,
Minho, and Taemin and is considered to be fashion icons for
having started the “Shinee Trend” and is known for their highly synchronized
and complicated dancing. They just
finished up their world tour on July 1 2012, which included twenty performances
in seven cities.
3. 2NE1
– “I Am The Best”(2011)
Formed by YG Entertainment in 2009, the band
consists of four female members: CL, Minzy, Dara, and Bom.
The name 2NE1 combines the phrases "21st century" and "new
evolution", and is pronounced "twenty-one" or "to
anyone." In the summer of 2010,
2NE1 traveled to Los Angeles and London to record English songs with The
Black Eyed Peas's member will.i.am. The girls are planning their American
debut near the end of 2012, after The Black Eyed Peas' global tour and 2NE1's
own activities in Korea and Japan.
4. BIGBANG
– “Fantastic Baby”(2011)
Big Bang formed in 2006 under the management of YG
Entertainment and has grown to become one of the most successful Asian acts
in the world. The group consists of leader G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang,
Daesung, and Seungri.
They are currently embarking on their first ever World Tour visiting 25
cities in 16 countries. The band originally had an urban hip-hop sound, moved
on to electronica and now have a more rock flavor, but still keeps to their
roots.
5. Girls'Generation – “The Boys”(2011)
Girls’ Generation is a nine-member group, formed by S.M.
Entertainment in 2007 that includes Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Seohyun,
Sooyoung, Yoona, Jessica, Tiffany, Sunny,
and Yuri. The group performed “The
Boys," (which was released in three languages, Korean, Japanese, and
English), on two American talk shows (Late Show with David Letterman and
Live! with Kelly), in late 2011 and early 2012 respectively. This song
saw a change in their image as the group began to portray a more mature image
as apposed to a more innocent one. I
think they are making the transition nicely, with a little adult
playfulness.
6. TVXQ! – “Before
U Go”(2011)
Now, if you just heard this song on the radio you
would think that they are an urban hip-hop group from America—that is, until
they start singing. TVXQ is
acronym for Tong Vfang Xien Qi.
In South Korea they are known as Dong Bang Shin Ki, which is
often abbreviated as DBSK, and in Japan they are known as Tohoshinki. Their name translates to "The Rising
Gods of the East." The group
debuted in 2003 as a 5-member group consisting of leader U-Know Yunho, Max
Changmin, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu.
In July 2009, the latter three filed for an injunction against their Korean
agency SM Entertainment, for an excessive contract period (13 years).
This led to TVXQ ceasing all public activities and appearances after 2009.
After a hiatus that lasted 2 years and 3 months, TVXQ returned as a duo
consisting of Yunho and Changmin. I guess even the South Korean music scene isn’t immune to music
business BS.
7. WonderGirls – “Like This”(2011)
Wonder Girls is a South Korean girl group currently consisting of five members Yubin, Yeeun, Sunye,
Sohee, and Hyelim. They are managed by their producer and manager
singer-songwriter Park Jin-Young under his talent agency, JYP
Entertainment. The group began their entry into the American market in 2009
as an opening act for The Jonas Brothers' World Tour, performing the
English version of their hit single "Nobody." The members are currently preparing for
their first English debut album set to be released in the USA sometime in 2012.
Bonus Video:
Yeah I know this is an advisement, but it’s a great
behind the scene with will.i.am with the group 2NE1.
List of K-Pop Groups/Artists:
1TYM, 2NE1, 2PM, 2AM, 4Minute, 5dolls, 5tion, 8Eight, AA,
After School, After School BLUE: See After School, After School RED: See After
School, Ailee, Alexander Lee Eusebio, Amber Liu (f(x)), A Pink, As One, B1A4,
B.A.P, Baby V.O.X., Baby Vox Re.V, Bada, Bae Suzy (miss A), Bae Seul Ki, Baek
Ji Young, Bang Yong Guk (B.A.P), Battle, BEAST, Big Bang, Big Mama, Big Mama
King, Black Beat, Block B, BoA, Boohwal, Brian Joo, Brown Eyed Girls, Brown
Eyed Soul, Bulldog Mansion, Buzz, Byul, Byun Baekhyun (EXO K), Boyfriend, Brave
Girls, BtoB, C-REAL, Chae Jung Ahn, Chae Yeon, Chakra, Cherry Filter, CHI CHI,
Children Of Empire, Chocolat, Choi Soo-Young (Girls' Generation), Cho Yong-pil,
Clazziquai, Click-B, C.N.BLUE, CNU (B1A4), Co-Ed School, Crying Nut, CSJH,
Crucial Star, Choi Minho (SHINee), Cho Kyuhyun (Super Junior), Choi Siwon
(Super Junior), D.O. (EXO K), Dae Guk Nam Ah: See The Boss, Dae Sung (Big
Bang), Dalmatian, Dal Shabet, Dana, Dara (2NE1), Davichi, Deux, Double A (band)
see as AA, Dok2, Donghae (Super Junior), Drunken Tiger, Dynamic Duo, Enjel,
Epik High, Eru, Eugene, Eunhyuk (Super Junior), Eun Ji Won, Eve, E.via, EXO,
EXO-K, EXO-M, EXID, F.T. Island, Fin.K.L, Fly to the Sky, f(x), F.Cuz, Fat Cat,
G.NA, g.o.d., Gang Kiz, GP Basic, Girl's Day, Girl Friends, Girls' Generation,
Gummy, G-Dragon (Big Bang), Son Ga-In (Brown Eyed Girls), Ham Eun-jeong
(T-ara), Han Sunhwa (SECRET), Ha Ji Won, Haha, Heechul (Super Junior), Hello
Venus, Heo Ga Yoon (4Minute), Heo Young Saeng (SS501), HITT, Hong Kyung Min,
H.O.T., Hyomin (T-ara), Hyun Bin, Hyuna, Huh Gak, Humming Urban Stereo, Hwangbo
(Chakra), Tiffany Hwang (Girls' Generation), Hwanhee, Hwayobi, Hyun Young,
i-13, Im Yoona (Girls' Generation), Infinite, Insooni, Isak N Jiyeon, IU, Ivy,
J, JB, Jr., JQT, JTL, JYJ, The Jadu, Jang Keun-suk, Jang Nara, Jang Woo Hyuk,
Jang Yun-jeong, Jaurim, Jay Park, Jeon Boram (T-ara), Jeon Hye Bin, Jeon
Hyosung (SECRET), Jeon Ji Yoon (4Minute), Jessica Jung (Girls' Generation),
Krystal Jung (F(x)), Nicole Jung (KARA), Jewelry, Jinusean, Jo Eun Byul, Jo
Sungmo, John Park, Jonghyun (SHINee), Joo Hyun-Mi, Jun Jin, Jung Daehyun
(B.A.P), Jung Yong Hwa (CN Blue), Jun.K (2PM), JOO, K, KCM, Kai (EXO K), Kan Mi
Youn, Kang Sung Hoon, Kangin (Super Junior), Kangta, KARA, Kevin (U-KISS), Key
(SHINee), Kibum (Super Junior), Kim Ah Joong, Kim Bum, Kim Bum Soo, Kim C, Kim
Dong Ryul, Kim Dong Wan, Kim Gun Mo, Kim Himchan (B.A.P), Kim Hyoyeon (Girls'
Generation), Kim Hyun Joong (SS501), Kim Hyung Jun (SS501), Kim Jong Kook, Kim
Joon (T-Max), Kim Kyu Jong (SS501), Kim Kyung Ho, Kim Tae Woo, Kim So Eun, Kim
Soo Hyun, Kim Taeyeon (Girls' Generation), Kim Yeonji (SeeYa), Kiss, Koyote,
Krystal Jung (f(x) (band)), Kwon So Hyun (4Minute), Kwon Yuri (Girls'
Generation), Kyuhyun (Super Junior), K'Pop, K.Will, Lee Chae Rin (2NE1), Led
Apple, Lee Dong Gun, Lee Dong Hae (Super Junior), Lee Gi Kwang (BEAST/B2ST),
Lee Min Young (miss A), Lee Hong Ki (F.T. Island), Lee Hyori, Lee Hyun, Lee Jae
Won, Lee Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Hyun (CN Blue), Lee Joon (MBLAQ), Lee Jun Ki, Lee
Jung, Lee Jung Hyun, Lee Ki Chan, Lee Kiseop (U-KISS), Lee Min-ho, Lee Min Woo,
Leessang, Lee Seung Cheol, Lee Seung Gi, Lee Soo Young, Lee Sora, Lee Soon-Kyu
(Girls' Generation), Lee Sungmin (Super Junior), Lee Taemin (SHINee), Leeteuk
(Super Junior), Lena Park, Lexy, Lim Chang Jung, Lim Jung Hee, Loveholic, LPG
(Long Pretty Girls), LUV, Luna (singer) (f(x)), Lyn, MBLAQ, M.I.L.K,
Maronnier', Kim Young Sook, MC Mong, MC The Max, MC Sniper, Mighty Mouth, Min
Hae Kyung, Minho (SHINee), Min Hyorin, Mina, Minwoo, miss A, Moon Hee Jun, Moon
Jong Up (B.A.P), M.I.B, M&D, MYNAME, Meng Jia (miss A), Nam Ji Hyun
(4Minute), Narsha, N.EX.T, Nell, Nichkhun Horvejkul (2PM), Nicky Lee, Nine
Muses, No Brain, NRG, N-Train, NU'EST, One Way, Onew (SHINee), Orange Caramel,
Outsider, Papaya, Park Bom (2NE1), Park Chanyeol (EXO K), Park Gyuri (KARA),
Park Jung Ah (Jewelry), Park Jung Min (SS501), Park Ji-yeon (T-ara), Park Ji
Yoon, Park Jin Young, Park Yong Ha, Park Jae Beom, Park Shin Hye, Peppertones,
Park Myeong-su, Park Min Young, Park Soyeon (T-ara), Qri (T-ara), R.ef, Rain,
Rainbow, Rania, Roo'ra, Rumble Fish, Ryeowook (Super Junior), Ryu Shi Won, Ryu
Hwayoung (T-ara), Ryu Hyoyoung (Co-ed)(5dolls), S the One, S#arp, S.E.S, Se7en,
Sechs Kies, SECRET, SeeYa, Seo Joo-hyun (Girls' Generation), Seo Hyo Rim, Seo
In Young, Seo Ji Young, Seo Moon Tak, Seo Taiji, Seungri, SG Wannabe, Shim
Changmin, Shim Eun Jin, Shin Dongho (U-KISS), Shindong (Super Junior), Shin Hae
Chul, Shin Hye Sung, Shin Ji, Shin Seung Hun, SHINee, Shinhwa, Shinvi, Shoo,
Shu-I, Sim Soo-bong, Sistar, Siwon (Super Junior), SM The Ballad, So Chan Whee,
Sohee (Wonder Girls), Solbi, Son Dam Bi, Son Dong-woon (BEAST/B2ST), Son Ho
Young, Song Jieun (SECRET), Song Ji Hyo, Song Qian (f(x) (band)), SS501, Sugar,
Sulli Choi (f(x) (band)), Sungmin (Super Junior), Sung Si Kyung, Sung Yuri,
Sunny Hill, Super Junior, Super Junior-Happy, Super Junior-K.R.Y, Super
Junior-M, Super Junior-T, Supernova, Supreme Team, T-Max, T-ara, T.O.P (Big
Bang), T.T.MA, Tablo (Epik High), Tae Bin, Taeyeon (Girls' Generation),
TaeTiSeo (Girls' Generation), Taecyeon (2PM), Tae Jin Ah, Taegoon, Taeyang,
Tasha Reid, Teen Top, The Boss, Tim, Tony An, The TRAX, Trouble Maker, Turbo,
Turtles, TVXQ, Two Two, Typhoon, U-Kiss, U;Nee, UEE (Solo album
"Soksoksok"), UN, Uhm Jung Hwa, Ujin: see Yeon Woo, Untouchable,
Uptown, Vibe, Viva Girls, Victoria Song (f(x)), Wax, Wheesung, Wonder Girls,
Wang Fei Fei (miss A), Xiah, Xing, X-5 (X-FIVE), Yang Hyun Suk, Yang Yo-seob
(BEAST/B2ST), Yeon Woo, Yesung (Super Junior), Yim Jae Beom, YMGA, Yoo
Chae-yeong, Yoo Seung Jun, Yoo Youngjae (B.A.P), Yoon Do Hyun Band, Yoon Eun
Hye, Yoon Mi-rae, Yong Jun-hyung (BEAST/B2ST), You Hee-Yeol, Younha,
Yurisangja, Yu Seung-ho, Yunho, Yoon Doo-joon (BEAST/B2ST), ZE:A, Zelo (B.A.P),
Zinger (SECRET)
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