What does KPOP mean? A brief etymology

As the Internet has grown over the years, the world has become obsessed, in many cases, with cultures from other parts of the world.

This is certainly not a bad thing, well, in most cases, as it has helped people better understand other cultures and essentially get along better as a global society.

In recent years, many Westerners have been intrigued by some of the things our Asian counterparts are doing, especially in countries like Japan and South Korea.

First, it was Japan that introduced the West to sushi, anime, and of course much more, but then who remembers a particular song that came from South Korea in 2012 and was the first video on YouTube to reach a billion views?

I won’t force the name back into your head in case you’ve finally managed to shake it, but those of you who enjoyed the madness won’t need me to tell you which song I’m talking about.

What does KPOP mean?

So back to this question.

KPOP simply stands for Korean Pop Music and simply stands for whatever music is currently trending in South Korea, as is the case with POP music in the United States or the United Kingdom, for example.

South Koreans regard KPOP music the same way Americans regard Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and others in the Western world, but with a little more energy.
Korean pop is written in a variety of ways, including K-pop, K-pop, Kpop, and KPOP, as we’ve been spelling it, but they all mean the same thing.

K-pop is a broad phrase that encompasses a wide range of musical components and genres. It can contain Korean rock, electronic music, hip hop, and more, in addition to Korean pop.

However, the KPOP you’re probably listening to is a relatively new genre of music, originating around the ’90s and becoming mainstream in North America and Europe in the 2010s.

However, the true origins of KPOP date back to around the 1950s, and since then it has been heavily inspired by many genres of Western music and pop groups. American pop music culture has had and continues to have, a significant influence on KPOP, although this role is often reciprocated these days.

What are the main features of KPOP?

Different genres are combined to produce various K-pop song themes.

Just as most K-pop groups have a dedicated rapper and English words are incorporated into the song’s lyrics in South Korea, most K-pop groups have a designated rapper. This is believed to have started with South Korean-American idols like Fly to the Sky, who wanted to showcase their English skills in their songs.

Most K-pop choreography focuses on coordinated and forceful movements, with the members changing places several times during a dance. This is known as a so-called “formation change” strategy, as you can probably imagine.

The moves are also designed to be repetitive and addictive to watch, to reflect the idea of ​​the song. This is known as “point dancing”, which made certain dances and songs go viral in particular, like the one I mentioned in the introduction.

Most music videos in KPOP tend to contain choreography that makes each song stand out from the next and last. Aside from that, the flashy clothing worn by groups or singers during concerts and music videos is equally crucial.

What makes a KPOP group popular?

Every month, new Korean pop idol groups make their debut, and as a result, the public’s judgment of which group is the best changes. Idol groups have also been known to compose songs and advertise themselves for up to ten years before moving on to other occupations, such as becoming solo artists or actors.

Some idol groups, on the other hand, have been more successful and have lasted longer. Some groups are so well known that they are recognized by many generations of K-pop fans!

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most well-known K-pop groups and musicians, as well as their most popular songs. They are listed in the sections below. These well-known brands differ in terms of music genre, several members, image, and general style. All of them, however, produce high-quality music, dance, and performances.

What KPOP groups to look for

Dong Bang Shin Ki (commonly known as TVXQ) and Big Bang have long been the most popular boy groups in South Korea. Dong Bang Shin Ki used to have the largest K-pop fan club in the world and is well known on the internet.

Big Bang, a Korean pop boy band, has a distinctive style that’s easy to fall in love with, with each album bringing something new to the table. They have paved the way for other bands now but their style and music will continue for a long time.

Then there is BTS, one of the most well-known groups of all time. This group has been more successful in the United States and other nations than in Korea.

Girls’ Generation is an excellent example of a well-known KPOP girl group. They have been the top girl group in K-pop for a long time, with wildly catchy songs and themes.

Wonder Girls is another popular girl group. They haven’t been as busy as Girls’ Generation and don’t have as many hit songs, but their hit single “Nobody” is one of the most popular K-pop songs of all time.