Originating in South Korea, K-pop is a vibrant music genre that has become incredibly popular worldwide, engaging millions of individuals from every aspect of life.
Its catchy songs, stunning choreography, and unique outfit designs have caused excitement outside of Asia, influencing everything from global fashion to social media trends.
K-pop’s influence continues to grow, attracting fans worldwide to celebrate this cultural phenomenon. Groups like BTS and BLACKPINK are leading the way.
“K-pop has definitely been an avenue of student interest,” Lakeview Middle and High School orchestra teacher Paul Le said. “It started as something really different and unique that students gravitate to.”
K-pop’s impact isn’t limited to listening preferences. Mr. Le says that K-pop’s elaborate performances influence students’ styles and music engagement, even as he points out that traditional orchestra settings are still rooted in the past.
“I like how people are exposed to different ideas,” Le said. “It opens up the idea for young people to enjoy music with words they don’t [understand].”
Beyond performances, the music industry is shaped partly by K-pop’s strong fan culture. Mr. Le talks about his own experiences at concerts with K-pop fans.
“Some fandoms can be extremely helpful,” Le said. “But, there are group fandoms that take it too far. There has been news about fandoms getting fired from their jobs and invading personal [space]. I think that’s a huge problem that needs to be solved.”
Despite these challenges, K-pop’s worldwide success shows how popular music is changing. Its popularity reflects a more interconnected world where listening to music is less limited by language barriers.
“I like that people are being exposed to different ideas and sounds,” Le said. “I’m hoping that it leads to a greater enjoyment of music, and I hope it leads to a more open mind in music exploration.”
As K-pop continues to significantly impact mainstream music and music education, it creates and shapes new generations of musicians and fans. K-pop has established a name for itself in the global music industry, whether it is through fan culture, performance styles, or exposing audiences to many different musical traditions.
