The K-Pop Era Has Begun
I challenge you not to fall for K-Pop
As a K-pop fan, I always hear “Why listen to music you can’t understand?” Well here’s my response: for all who aren’t Spanish speakers, I want you to sing “Despacito” and tell the nearest Spanish speaker what Luis Fonsi says. (And not the Justin Bieber remix.) People listen to music that makes them dance, sing or to get “lit.”
For me and for all K-Pop fans, we listen to make us happy, to show our love and support. I’m literally listening to some while writing this. Some K-pop songs have messages that everyone has to hear, such music by the band BTS. BTS has three albums that tells you to love yourself and to not listen to what people have to say. The albums “Love Yourself: Her,” “Love yourself: Tear,” and “Love Yourself: Answer” all being a continuation of the other. My best friend had always resisted when I tried to get her to listen to K-Pop, but I was actually able to get her to like BTS’s “Fake Love.” I also got my friend Meghan to dance to Block B’s “Shall We Dance,” and I got my mom dancing (twerking) to Red Velvet’s “Peek-A-Boo”…I was terrified.
“Despacito” is not about what they say, it’s what how they want you to feel. When you listen to “Despacito” or “Mi gente” by Willy William (or any Spanish music in general), most people don’t listen for the lyrics, you listen because it sounds good. Which is something I don’t understand from some people who could listen to “Despacito” millions of times, but won’t try something with a different language barrier.
I hate some of today’s rap. The song “Gucci Gang” got on my nerves. Yet people older than me know all the lyrics. I have slowly starting to not listen to any American music all together, except for the oldies. I just feel like every song has the same thing in common, talking about how much money you have or how you’re the best. I’m not saying Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings” is too self- absorbed, in fact I love the song and I’m happy she’s trying something new. I’m just saying there’s more to life then bragging how much money you have or starting a fight with someone.
What I don’t get is how people can listen to “Shape of You,” “Havana” or another really repetitive song without wanting to rip their ears off. Call this an unpopular opinion, but I actually hated “Shape of Me.” I know–shocking. All of my friends loved this song, while I just wanted press the skip button every chance I got. And that goes for more than half of today’s music.
I have a challenge for you. At the bottom of this piece I pasted three of my favorite K-Pop songs. I want you to listen to them and not get addicted.
