Music

I’m moving on from last weeks fandom post to another tightly linked to fandom. musical preference. The music we listen to can often say a lot about who we associate with, often people will seek out others with similar interests musically be that contact in person or virtually. Think of the high school stereotypes metalhead together, punks, pop princesses, classical musicians, bands these types are aligned on musical taste or ability.

This post will be a personal post because I couldn’t find a way to do it abstractedly. In my family there a four of us. My mother listens to 70s-80s pop, father classical and whatever his bother givers him, and my brother listens to metal and punk (largely with female vocal). My own taste is K-pop and that is what I want to talk about because libraries as community places can be of great use to the K-pop community. By talking about K-pop I want to say that I’m using it because it’s what I know, it is worth thinking about how libraries could reach out to others. As I said it’s personal because I couldn’t make it abstract.

First what is K-pop? K-pop is short for Korean pop. Essentially music in Korean, highly produced often highly choreographed and high energy.

What draws people to K-pop? Being a K-pop fan can be more of a lifestyle choice, one you do not talk about for fear of being thought weird. There different types of fans but in general, fans will learn all about group members, watch music videos obsessively, learn lyrics by rote, learn the fan chants that accompany live performances, obsess for the periodical comebacks of their favourite groups and mourn the loss of idols as they complete their two years mandatory military service. It is a community, some are drawn to it for the music, some were raised with it, some like a challenge so the choreography is for them, some are simply attracted to the performers. What can sometimes keep them people is the addictive and catchy nature of the whole thing. Most people it will be a combination of whatever got them hooked and the catchy nature of the music.

A tip if someone does say they are interested in K-pop do not mention PSY or Gangnam Style. Enough fans dislike the song, it's popularity and the constant reminder that it can cause people to shut down. K-pop fans often carry a stigma of only listening to K-pop but it’s not that simple it’s often just what they are most vocal about. A recent post by Tumblog softspearb asked fans to add what they listened too, basically, the answer is everything ("There’s a stigma around people," 2018).

How can libraries help? Don't judge the non-Asian listing to K-pop (or any Asian pop for that matter). Allow dance groups to use your community space if that is within your libraries rules if you have a community event and they offer don't say no without seeing what they can do. Be aware that if you run fanfiction writing workshops K-pop fans may want to write on K-pop. But it's all about keeping an open mind. You don't have to enjoy the music to allow someone else to. Largely K-pop fans are aware of their musical taste and try not to draw attention to it, they deal with enough problems just to enjoy it.

There are many songs that exemplify what K-pop can be, Something by Girls is seductive, I Don't Need a Man by Miss A is a feminist anthem, Oh NaNa by K.A.R.D. is one of the catchiest tracks upbeat and happy. Sorry, Sorry by Super Junior is a classic and choreography that most fans know on sight, Let Me Know by BTS is an emotional track. BTS are worth looking at for sheer popularity and power of message. They are the first group since PSY to get mainstream media play in the west (with Mic Drop) and their songs generally carry strong positive messages. I'm choosing Fantastic Baby purely because it is so loud, so mad, so classic and so quintessentially K-pop. Big Bang are an older K-pop group these days, but their popularity remains.

I could add more K-pop clips here but I’m not going to, I think I’ve taken up enough of everyone’s time. If you are interested feel free to ask me (or YouTube). I’m sorry this post is so long. I tried for brevity but as previously stated brevity not my strong suit.

References

1theK (원더케이). (2014, January 2). MV : Girl's Day (걸스데이) : Something (썸씽). [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVO5xTAbxm8

BIGBANG. (2012, March 6). BigBang : Fantastic Baby M/V. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAbokV76tkU

hatice can. (2015, July 19). BTS The Red Bullet dvd : Let Me Know live. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCSrfiqq2ko

ibighit. (2017, November 24). BTS (방탄소년단) : MIC Drop (Steve Aoki Remix) : Official MV. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTlv5_Bs8aw

KARD. (2016, December 12). K.A.R.D : Oh NaNa M/V. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPTcKSVAEvA

missA. (2012, October 14). miss A : I don't need a man (남자 없이 잘 살아) : M/V. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkSOOiMDGiY

officialpsy. (2012, July 15). PSY : Gangham Style (강남스타일) : M/V. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0

SMTOWN. (2009, June 7). Super Junior 슈퍼주니어 : 쏘리 쏘리 (Sorry, Sorry) MV. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QA3m58DQw

There’s a stigma around people. (2018, April 17). softspearb. [Tumblr post]. Retrieved from https://softspearb.tumblr.com/post/173050380989/theres-a-stigma-around-people-who-listen-to-kpop