What is K-pop? To put it simply, it's South Korean pop music. Most K-pop artists are boy and girl groups (similar to NSYNC and Destiny's Child) followed by solo artists, bands, duo groups, etc. Of which they are called "Idols". K-pop groups are very popular and are known for being surprisingly versatile performers. A typical K-pop group performance would have at least the aspects of singing, dancing, and rapping, all while wearing clothing and makeup matching the concept of their group or music. K-pop idols are not all South Korean musicians but are also Chinese, Thai, Japanese and other races, mainly Asian. Although K-pop is a foreign music genre in the United States, it has grown with the immense popularity of an international fan base that has allowed for greater attention to Asians in American media. Although the lyrics are mostly in Korean, K-pop breaks down the language barrier. It brings together a variety of people despite cultural differences, while creating a special relationship between an artist and a fan. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay K-pop is one of the main reasons for the spread of South Korean culture and language among people in the U.S. International fans who listen to K -pop and regularly watch their idols' content end up becoming a sponge to absorb the Korean language and culture. The genre sparks interest among listeners to learn a new culture. In 2012, the event called "KCON" was created, a convention that hosts K-pop Idol performances and features many other aspects of Korean entertainment and culture. Over 800,000 people participate each year and it has been growing ever since because it used to be held exclusively in Southern California, but is now held in major cities across the United States and in countries outside of America such as Thailand and Japan. The Angeles Times article titled "KCON Aims to Ride 'Korean Wave' to Pop Culture Domination", written by August Brown, interviewed a COO of CJ E&M America (KCON's production company) named Angela Killoren. In Brown's article, Killoren states: “Film, drama, beauty: this Korean wave can be a bridge to other cultural mashups so fractured, there are more threads to hold together.” of K-pop, other aspects of Korean culture and entertainment are also introduced and enjoyed by Western audiences KCON is one of those effects produced by K-pop, it is an example of how K-pop brings together all different types of people with a common interest in South Korean culture and showcases talented East Asian musicians through stunning performances and meaningful music.K-pop has become the gateway to a new and better form of Asian representation in American media. The “Hallyu Wave” has hit the United States (which is a term referring to Korean culture becoming popular globally thanks to K-pop, Korean dramas, variety shows, etc.). Popular K-pop groups like BLACKPINK and BTS have started performing on popular American TV shows, award shows and large music venues since 2017, including the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, TheEllenShow, Jimmy Kimmel, Rose Bowl Stadium and many more . Even though most idols are not Asian-American, their presence in America represents a fantastical image of Asian artists in American mainstream entertainment rather than being portrayed through stereotypically degrading characters on TV or in yellowface roles (which is Whena non-Asian-East person would play the role of an East Asian character with makeup to look like one) While now, Asian-Americans can finally admire K-pop idols to break into North America and are able to identify with popular Asian artists on the market. big screen. In the CNN online article titled “How A Boy Band From SouthKorea Became The Biggest In The World” by Julia Hollingsworth, the author shows how the boy group BTS has elevated the image of Asian male masculinity in America: Cho says that l BTS' aesthetic, which is a representation of East Asian masculinity, is helping to change what mainstream viewers think about the possibility of gender presentation and what Asian bodies represent. Suk-young Kim, director of the Center for Performance Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) thinks BTS is doing a lot for Asian males, who have not always been portrayed well in US media. “BTS's ubiquitous visibility and positive image will go a long way in creating a beautiful 'Asian-ness,'” he said. Along with other famous K-pop artists in the United States, BTS is one of those artists who has been able to represent Asian masculinity and eliminate degrading stereotypes of Asian appearances. With strong themes of self-love and acceptance in most K-pop artists' songs, their music has also become a positive influence and form of support among K-pop fans. The 7-member self-produced boy group called BTS is a wonderful example because in 2017 they started releasing their three-part album series called Love Yourself focused on sending the message of learning to love yourself and not changing your identity because of others. BTS has done inspirational work with their music and brought their lyrics to life through a campaign against violence against youth. Along with the album series, BTS launched their anti-violence campaign called “Love Myself” in collaboration with UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund). In 2019, the campaign raised over $2 million through 3% of BTS' physical album sales from the Love Yourself series and 100% of revenue from the sale of official campaign merchandise; together of course with donations from all over the world. With this campaign, BTS and UNICEF hope to "#ENDViolence" among children and teenagers by spreading and promoting love through their music. At the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, BTS leader Namjoon Kim aka "RM" gives a speech on behalf of their campaign, and begins by introducing himself and how music has changed his life and describing him as the his “sanctuary” and his “voice” to tell him to speak out. As part of his speech, he mentions "After we released the Love Yourself albums and launched the 'Love Myself' campaign, we started hearing amazing stories from our fans around the world [about] how our message helped them overcome their difficulties in life and start loving themselves. These stories constantly remind us of our responsibility.” Not only does the influence of music influence RM's life making him a better person, but his music with the rest of the BTS members. it has also become a crutch for different types of people around the world. In the Billboard article titled “Why K-pop Is Finally Breaking Into the US Mainstream” written by Tamar Herman, the author provides more information on the growth of K-pop. and about its devoted fans: And even without much radio play here, K-pop's influence is rapidly growing. With the evolution of social mediaand streaming platforms, an ultra-socially engaged fan base has also evolved, one that not only dedicates entire Twitter accounts to sending its favorite artists to the Billboard charts, but also buys out arenas to support them and tune in to flashy ones. TV specials just to catch a glimpse of, bringing Korean artists ever closer to the forefront of American pop. Herman explains how social media has helped K-pop become more well-known over time and has made it easy for fans to help their favorite artists grow in popularity around the world by promoting them with fan accounts. Aside from this information, boy group BTS is said to have "paved the way" for K-pop to become a global phenomenon. Although the K-pop group BTS has begun to dominate in the West, it is sad to say that there are xenophobic people and award shows that have not opened up to the K-pop scene. In the Washington Post online article titled “The 'Separate But Equal' Rules Of American Music Awards” written by Marian Liu, she denounces the events of discrimination against the famous group. For example, Liu describes instances of many racist jokes made to BTS by TV show hosts and claims how the group has been separated from major American music show awards because they are too "foreign," even though other foreign musicians such as Canadian artists and non-American white artists were nominated for the same major awards. BTS was the first Korean group to become No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and the first group since the Beatles to have three No. 1 albums in one year. the 200 graphic billboard; as well as winning numerous Asian music awards such as Artist of the Year and Album of the Year; and have won Billboard Music Awards' Top Social Artist awards since 2017, breaking Justin Bieber's six-game winning streak before that year. With sold-out stadium tours around the world, BTS deserves better recognition for their well-deserved achievements as a K-pop group. In the article, there's a quote from a fan who says, "huddled in that box, to keep them from having a seat at the table... Imagine if BTS were an all-white, singing, English-speaking group. . .. We have other groups, like One Direction, as proof of what the 'right race' can achieve and receive from the media and industry." This quote argues how the lens of xenophobia is one of the obstacles BTS faces when becoming famous in the United States. The lack of recognition towards K-pop artists at awards shows leads to an article written in Rolling Stone titled "BTS Are Locked Out." of the 2020 Grammy nominations” by Elias Leight. Leight makes a sarcastic observation about the American music industry in response to the Grammys: The lack of recognition of K-pop at awards shows is in stark contrast to the day-to-day reality of the music industry: seemingly every major American label has been quick to scoop up scoops on a K-pop group in the last 12 months. Columbia now works with BTS; Interscope Captured Blackpink; Epic went after Monsta Republic took Tomorrow X Together; and RCA signed Ateez. Just last month, Capitol released an EP from SuperM, a K-pop group that unexpectedly beat out heavily streamed R&B singer Summer Walker to earn the number one spot. Despite all the efforts of American music labels to use these famous K-pop groups for their own corporate toys, it is still not enough. K-pop has proven to be much more than just a musical genre, it is a completely influential culture in itself. All the lyrics and performances produced by Idols have become a foundation for the.