Let’s talk about K-pop — the notorious Korean pop genre that has taken the world by storm over the last decade. K-pop is characterized by elements of both pop and electronic music blended to create catchy, energetic songs. They are also often accompanied by impressive choreography and visual aesthetics, allowing them to reach past the melody and truly captivate an international audience. They are known for both their boy bands and all-female groups, both of which have gained international fame.
One of America’s first significant introductions to K-Pop came with Korean musician Psy’s release of the chart-topping hit “Gangam Style“ in 2012. This iconic song soon garnered a hold on American media — especially social media — and led to more widespread attention for the genre. Groups such as Wonder Girls and BIGBANG began to reach listeners in the US in the early 2010s, but “Gangam Style” was arguably the first K-pop song to garner so much American interest.
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With newfound traction in the US, the genre burst into the American pop scene in 2013 when boy band BTS released their first album with the smash-hit “2 COOL 4 SKOOL”. They quickly became one of the most popular groups in South Korea, garnering a huge fan base and international attention. This soon bled into America’s burgeoning interest in the genre, and BTS grew a massive following in the US, elevating ‘K-pop’ into a household name. BTS was soon joined by other internationally-popular groups such as EXO, and American pop culture’s interest grew from BTS-specific to encompassing the genre as a whole.
While BTS and their contemporaries set the scene for K-pop’s international recognition, female K-pop groups have seen an exponential rise in popularity in South Korea and worldwide. This newfound fame and admiration can be attributed to the girl power messaging presented behind the scenes of K-pop production and the song lyrics, with many impressive feats continuously achieved by female artists or groups. From globally successful tours to innovative use of technology in their music, K-pop has shown that female dominance behind the mic is not only a possibility but also something to be celebrated.
The rise of the female K-pop group can be traced back to 2007 with the debut of Girls’ Generation (SNSD). Since then, the K-pop industry has seen numerous girl groups debut with their own unique styles and concepts. These influential K-pop groups have pushed female empowerment, expression, and influence beyond the bounds of K-pop. They’ve created the conditions that have seen female K-pop bands infiltrate the international market and the industry’s upper echelons.
A prime example of this is BLACKPINK, a group that led K-pop’s dominance in the late 2010s. They debuted in South Korea in 2016 and soon garnered a massive following. They then became one of the big K-pop names to draw huge crowds in the United States, with a 2019 world tour with multiple sold-out stops in the US. BLACKPINK — and many K-pop groups — are known for their flashy performances and elaborate choreography and have since gone on to perform another dazzlingly popular international tour in 2022.
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BLACKPINK formed amid K-pop’s rise to international relevance, and they have incorporated this into their music. Though still undoubtedly defined by K-pop, BLACKPINK’s songs blend in with other genres such as hip-hop and EDM. Their lyrics feature a mixture of Korean and English, allowing them to relate to their global audience. Their music and performances are also very image-based and fashion-forward, leading to an all-encompassing aesthetic that frames both their music and the multi-faceted levels of fame they have been able to achieve. K-pop is just as much about the people as it is about the music, and this element has played an indisputable role in its rise to international notoriety.
BLACKPINK’s fame has revived the presence of female empowerment in the K-Pop world. While early American fandom among young girls spawned a particular dreamy cult of personality around the group’s male members, more girl groups like TWICE, Dreamcatcher, Red Velvet, and NewJeans began gaining that same international acclaim soon after. Songs by BLACKPINK and their contemporaries echo messages of “girl power” and have turned them from musicians to popular female role models.
The rise of K-pop and its girl groups can teach us an important lesson about the value of cultural exchange, popularizing international genres, and exposing ourselves to music from around the world. There’s something incredible about the unfamiliar, especially regarding music — and you might just find something you love!
