30 replies to this topic

[jakmehoff]

Here's a good article on the Hallyu wave and the US, talks with BoA, SNSD, and Shinee. Can't embed the video so I linked it.  Mods please remove if already been posted.


03/03/2012 12:39 AM

K-Pop Stars Girls' Generation, BoA, SHINee Continue To Win U.S. Fans

By:Lewis Dodley


Since they first arrived in New York, NY1 has been following the progress of Korean pop stars trying to make it big in America. In the first installment of a two-part series, Lewis Dodley reports that the door to the so-called Korean Wave appears to have swung wide open.
http://www.ny1.com/c...o-win-u-s--fans
It was a dream come true for the nine members of Girls' Generation and their company, SM Entertainment. In another first for the group from South Korea, they were in the national spotlight last month performing on the Late Show with David Letterman.

They also graced the set of "Live with Kelly" as part of a whirlwind 24 hours to promote their first English single, "The Boys."
"It's absolutely a dream come true," said group member Tiffany following the appearances. "It's still amazing that we were on the show and we're just thankful that we're having so much of an experience."
Asked if the group was nervous appearing on American television, she laughed.
"We enjoyed it – we totally enjoyed it on stage," she said. "During rehearsals we were a bit jet-lagged, but once the camera turned on we were screaming, whoo! It was the first time we ever performed with live fans, and that sounded really cool."
The appearances come on the heels of a sold-out performance at Madison Square GArden for Girls' Generation and six other SM Entertainment acts – which makes you wonder if America has wrapped its arms around the idea of a Korean superstar.
SM Entertainment's first attempt at cracking the U.S. market was made three years ago by BoA, an Asian sensation so popular that 200 media outlets showed up for her announcement that she was coming to America. Though the album saw only moderate success, her talent was recognized by director Duane Adler – who was so impressed that he's making "Cobu 3D," a soon-to-be-released movie based on BoA. It co-stars Derek Hough, and BoA as Ara.
"Ara's character is Korean in blood and raised in Japan," BoA explains. "She's followed her brother to New York and she's the leader of the Cubu team so she's very passionate and never gives up on anything she does. So she's a strong woman."
"Working with Duane Adler, he's an amazing director," BoA adds. "He's written a lot of amazing dance movies before, so I was very happy to be part of this project. And Derek Hough, when I first met him there was a little bit of awkwardness since we really didn't know each other. But when we kept rehearsing stuff we got to know each other, and then after I got to know him as a person I thought, 'Wow, he's a really nice guy, cool, great dancer, great actor.' So now we're really good friends."
The latest developments embody the concept of Hallyu – the wave of Korean cultural expression that, bit-by-bit, is making a mark on the world. K-Pop artists are doing their best to make that mark a lasting impression.

"We have social networks these days like YouTube and Facebook," says performer Key of the group SHINee. "So ever though we're far apart, everyone is able to see our performances through the Internet. I definitely feel that today people are more open-minded to music. Five years ago it would be hard to imagine that people in Europe and all over the world would be listening to K-Pop – but now it seems there's a chance to listen to a larger variety of different styles of music."
"I just feel like we're just starting and we still have a long way up the stairs," echoes Tiffany. "So we're just going to work hard for it. My goal for this group is just sticking together as long as possible. We grew up together and I hope it can go on."

Edited by jakmehoff, 03 March 2012 - 11:01 PM.

[AyuLuv90]

"Cubu" and "Ara"... lol

[MOTOWAYohsixfive]

^ lol I was going to point that out. Either BoA actually got her own character's name wrong or the writer is just horrible...

[Baco__]

well, whoever wrote this article made some mistakes, 'cause here's the interview video and those errors are nowhere to be found ;D



the holy crap part is amazing lol i keep repeating lol

Edited by Baco__, 04 March 2012 - 12:26 PM.

[Mashimaro-san]

Oh great now the "K-Pop World Domination~" over-exaggeration has hit the USA.

Sorry I'm not buying it, I really don't see what is so special with K-pop, its basically American music in Korean.

[MOTOWAYohsixfive]

Thanks for the video, baco!

I didn't know Key was so good at English... and he's never actively promoted or been raised in America. Wow.. BoA has a longgg-ass way to go. lol

[Baco__]

really? i thought his english is actually understandable, almost bad... but his accent is really heavy.

[Cori]

Mashimaro-san, on 04 March 2012 - 12:26 PM, said:

Oh great now the "K-Pop World Domination~" over-exaggeration has hit the USA.

Sorry I'm not buying it, I really don't see what is so special with K-pop, its basically American music in Korean.

I don't think it's all about the music. Lately, it has mostly been girls fawning over boy bands (and the occasional girl groups).
They are making an impact in Japan as well, all the groups are going over there at the moment.

Also, I think it is showing SOME impact because I can find a lot more people that like Kpop now a days than when I was younger. I was the weirdest person in school, the ONLY one who knew anything about Korean music. Now, I have met a good handful of people at my college that listen to Kpop.
I remember when I went to Hollywood bowl in 2009 with some of the BoAjjang staff and I was one out of like 5 white people at the WHOLE event. Now, at SMTown NYC last year, it seemed like at least 50% of the audience was non-asian. The only downside is that a majority of them are so new to the whole music scene they don't really know more than 4 or 5 groups or artist in the whole genre.

[Kwcty6888]

I loved BoA's English in that interview! So much better than three years ago!

[ExoticFan]

great interview and video.
that kiss looked really awkward. wonder if they did a fake kiss like they do in k-dramas. shoot it at a certain angle and they only touch cheek to cheek so looks like they're kissing.
but I guess she would know

Edited by ExoticFan, 04 March 2012 - 08:18 PM.

[Mashimaro-san]

Cori, on 04 March 2012 - 03:42 PM, said:

I don't think it's all about the music. Lately, it has mostly been girls fawning over boy bands (and the occasional girl groups).
They are making an impact in Japan as well, all the groups are going over there at the moment.

Also, I think it is showing SOME impact because I can find a lot more people that like Kpop now a days than when I was younger. I was the weirdest person in school, the ONLY one who knew anything about Korean music. Now, I have met a good handful of people at my college that listen to Kpop.
I remember when I went to Hollywood bowl in 2009 with some of the BoAjjang staff and I was one out of like 5 white people at the WHOLE event. Now, at SMTown NYC last year, it seemed like at least 50% of the audience was non-asian. The only downside is that a majority of them are so new to the whole music scene they don't really know more than 4 or 5 groups or artist in the whole genre.

First of all, boy bands and girl groups has always been relevant in the West, its not a new thing.

I didn't say it wasn't making any impact, I'm saying they over-exaggerate these impacts. For example, the impact in Japan? Sure they have #1 singles and albums but please they aren't dominating, majority of chart toppers in Japan are still Japanese local acts. I would say 1 out of 20 K-pop acts in Japan are successful. Most K-pop acts remain out of the radar. I'm a J-pop fan myself and observe these things almost daily.

The impact in the West  will be the same in Japan, they'll form a niche market for themselves. Meaning they'll have large fan bases perhaps but they'll never dominate the local acts.

[hinachan]

Mashimaro-san, on 04 March 2012 - 12:26 PM, said:

I really don't see what is so special with K-pop, its basically American music in Korean.

It actually owes a lot to Europop, as well.  American music is too dominated by R&B crap, whereas most of K-pop is genuine pop.  It may incorporate elements of rap, but it's much more pop-oriented, which is why it's more like Eurodance and Europop than American music.  Even American artists like Lady Gaga have a much more European sound than American.  Madonna, in particular, was heavily influenced by ABBA, to the point of copying their fashions and sampling their music in "Hung Up".  

In this article, the main exaggeration I see is how BoA's first English album was called a "moderate success".  I love the album, don't get me wrong...but the only way to describe its success was "miserable flop".  SM and the record label didn't push it hard enough, when "Eat You Up" was starting to make headway as a Billboard Heatseeker.

Edited by hinachan, 04 March 2012 - 09:38 PM.

[Cori]

Mashimaro-san, on 04 March 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

First of all, boy bands and girl groups has always been relevant in the West, its not a new thing.

I didn't say it wasn't making any impact, I'm saying they over-exaggerate these impacts. For example, the impact in Japan? Sure they have #1 singles and albums but please they aren't dominating, majority of chart toppers in Japan are still Japanese local acts. I would say 1 out of 20 K-pop acts in Japan are successful. Most K-pop acts remain out of the radar. I'm a J-pop fan myself and observe these things almost daily.

The impact in the West  will be the same in Japan, they'll form a niche market for themselves. Meaning they'll have large fan bases perhaps but they'll never dominate the local acts.

I never said boy bands and girl groups were a "new thing". I am a product of the 90s, I know what a boy band and girl group are. But America is all about solo artists at the moment, and whenever I ask people why they like Kpop, they always seem to mention that there are groups and "multiple people for me to love and multiple personalities." Groups are pretty much a joke in America at the moment, unless they play actual instruments. Perhaps it's a nice change.

Also, I don't think success should be looked at by album sales REALLY. There are SO many foreign fans that pirate Jpop and Kpop albums, it's unreal. I have over 900 Kpop fans on my tumblr and I better over half of them have YET to buy an actual Korean album. I am looking at talk amongst Jpop fans that I know via the internet and in real life. They all seem to know who Girls' Generation and SHINee are. Also BoA (most speak great things about BoA). KARA has made a slight impact, so has BIG BANG (I wouldn't say 2NE1 has, though, they didn't promote very much). You simply can't deny the fact that they (Kpop) are getting more attention in Japan than they would over in America, not DOMINATION, but certainly making some small footprint. Frankly, I hate the fact that everyone is now going over to Japan. I like Kpop music, not Jpop so much.
That's my opinion.

[Mashimaro-san]

Cori, on 05 March 2012 - 06:32 AM, said:

I never said boy bands and girl groups were a "new thing". I am a product of the 90s, I know what a boy band and girl group are. But America is all about solo artists at the moment, and whenever I ask people why they like Kpop, they always seem to mention that there are groups and "multiple people for me to love and multiple personalities." Groups are pretty much a joke in America at the moment, unless they play actual instruments. Perhaps it's a nice change.

Also, I don't think success should be looked at by album sales REALLY. There are SO many foreign fans that pirate Jpop and Kpop albums, it's unreal. I have over 900 Kpop fans on my tumblr and I better over half of them have YET to buy an actual Korean album. I am looking at talk amongst Jpop fans that I know via the internet and in real life. They all seem to know who Girls' Generation and SHINee are. Also BoA (most speak great things about BoA). KARA has made a slight impact, so has BIG BANG (I wouldn't say 2NE1 has, though, they didn't promote very much). You simply can't deny the fact that they (Kpop) are getting more attention in Japan than they would over in America, not DOMINATION, but certainly making some small footprint. Frankly, I hate the fact that everyone is now going over to Japan. I like Kpop music, not Jpop so much.
That's my opinion.

That was what I said they are making an impact but I don't think they'll be "dominating" or to quote someone "winning." If you haven't noticed Korean media always say that K-pop is "dominating." It gets posted on J-pop websites almost weekly and as a J-pop fan its annoying and I usually just roll my eyes.They might be known, because they pop-up in J-pop news every minute "(insert Korean band or artist) debuting in Japan!" but they aren't successful. That's like saying Rebbeca Black is successful because everyone knows who she is.

Also if we go by success via popularity, then you might as well check the Rakochuku Uta charts (cellphone downloads) and Karaoke charts. Last time I checked only KARA and SNSD were chart-toppers, majority of them was Japanese. This means that right now only SNSD and KARA have made enough in Japan to be actually relevant.

So you think just because a Korean act is "known" they are successful? Please... again I estimate 1 out of 20 K-pop acts in Japan actually succeed, that is, they are popular, have an impact on local culture, etc. SHinee is an practically unknown and irrelevant in Japan, what are you talking about? Via internet? How about speaking to people who are actually in Japan...?

Groups just had a sort hiatus in the USA that's all, over Europe groups are as popular as they are in the 90's. If you didn't know the boy band creating the most buzz in the USA right now is One Direction from the U.K. created out of the U.K. X Factor.

For me the only reason why K-pop is so popular right now is because the entire K-pop industry are putting effort in attracting an international fan base, thus their songs are more likely to be generally acceptable to Western standards. Really if you look at the whole thing at a business perspective, its because sales in South Korea are horrid. I don't think its because K-pop is "awesome" or "cool" but because they try to cater to Western standards.

The reason why I love J-pop is because they don't give a crap if non-Japanese like it, they say "screw you Western standards", they are perfectly content with staying in Japan. As a result of this they have a very unique musical taste which I like. Its a nice break after jamming to my Beyonce-Ciara-Rihanna-Britney Spears-Madonna playlist.

And you Cori is one of the reasons why I get put off my K-pop so much, so much flaunting with their "overseas success" *eye roll.* And the fact that you ignore album sales as indication of success? Its not successful if they aren't selling. The record labels are losing money. You have to remember, its the music industry, its a type of business. If a business is popular but not selling, then its not successful.

Edited by Mashimaro-san, 05 March 2012 - 09:16 AM.

[Mashimaro-san]

hinachan, on 04 March 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

It actually owes a lot to Europop, as well.  American music is too dominated by R&B crap, whereas most of K-pop is genuine pop.  It may incorporate elements of rap, but it's much more pop-oriented, which is why it's more like Eurodance and Europop than American music.  Even American artists like Lady Gaga have a much more European sound than American.  Madonna, in particular, was heavily influenced by ABBA, to the point of copying their fashions and sampling their music in "Hung Up".  

In this article, the main exaggeration I see is how BoA's first English album was called a "moderate success".  I love the album, don't get me wrong...but the only way to describe its success was "miserable flop".  SM and the record label didn't push it hard enough, when "Eat You Up" was starting to make headway as a Billboard Heatseeker.

I am aware that a lot of K-pop songs are produced by Europeans, and so are a lot of J-pop and American songs too. The difference is that in style, image and how its delivered, K-pop is definitely American influenced, right down to choreography. Do I even have to mention BIG BANG?

From my perspective, J-pop has a lot more in common with Europop, in style, image and delivery. For instance Crystal Kay's new single "Delicious na Kinyoubi / Haruarashi" is produced by Europeans, if it wasn't in Japanese it might as well be considered Europop. But its very different from K-pop style and image, and delivery. Its hard to explain really.

I guess the simplest way I can put it is that K-pop and American image and style is a lot more urban and edgy. While J-pop and Europop, its a lot more more atmospheric and polished...?  I don't know if that makes sense.

Edited by Mashimaro-san, 05 March 2012 - 09:31 AM.