Bah Humbug: Is KPop Really on the Decline?

The other day, I was asked this uncharacteristically deep/complex question by an anon from my ask.fm (which is here btw):

Lots of people have been saying kpop is on the decline from 2009-2012. What do you think they mean by that, and do you agree?

I decided to turn it into a full article/editorial because, hey. If Kpoppalypse can do one of these and generate some good commentary and introspective reflection instead of a deadzone of "l0l no1kara", why don't I try?


Warning: Very long and picture/video heavy post ahead, beware!!

The way I see it, I think there's 3 major camps of the "KPop sucks now" argument: the "anti-Westernization" camp, the "hipster fag" camp, and the "too many nugus" camp.

These are the idiots who bitch about KPop incorporating too much Western influence these days, whether it's "sexy" or borrowing too much from the latest trendy crap in the Western world. They're usually the ones on the comments sections spewing crap like:




A big part of what's wrong with this terrible argumentative stance is how I find it extremely ironic that all these people remain so blissfully unaware (or ignorant) of how badly the "westernized" KPop idols WANT to be "western." You can see this very clearly every time Taeyang appears on stage, or how most idols in turn idolize Michael Jackson/Mariah Carey/Britney Spears, or how much media play circlejerk any news of a KPop group working with the hairstylist of Lady Gaga's backup dancers.

Not to mention KPop wants so desperately to appeal to "western" audiences as much as their domestic market. Hallyu is a huge chunk of export revenue, so if you/us Westerners find it interesting, that's just more money in their pockets. And best of all, all you idiots commenting on the Youtube videos or sharing the website links to pictorials or tweeting your hate for all things sexy is simply giving free hits/views/publicity for the shit you're complaining about. As they say, any publicity is good publicity, and this is publicity they don't even have to pay for. They're metaphorically making money just by lapping up the salty tears of butthurt fanboys and girls.

It goes without saying that people who fall in this camp are just whiny self-entitled brats who have very narrow and highly idealized pictures of what they think KPop SHOULD be and demanding that these big corporations acquiesce to their needs. Why they can't just look for and stan groups that DO fall under their definitions rather than complain about the mainstream, I'll never know. If they hate sexy or gangsta groups, putting their money where their mouth is and support, I dunno, a fresh young group trying to get out there with a different concept *coughnuguscough*,  maybe they might make a difference.

>MFW reading KPop comment sections

KPOP HAS LOST ITS MEANING

Before you’re going to insult me read this post first. As you all know Kpop has become very popular all around the world. 

This is exactly the problem of Kpop. 

Because it is so successful the entertainments think they should do it like the american music industry, to get more international fans and to be well-known. They’re telling their idols to show more skin and to act differently to impress the western fans. but it doesn’t impress me! What I mean is they don’t have to do this! In the end all what matters is the fame and money. Like always. I mean look at the Girlgroup ‘Wassup’ seriously twerking? excuse me but, since when is that Kpop? are they portraying Miley Cyrus? 

when you listen to K-pop and American music there’s no difference. Kpop music is now just upbeat music with dubstep and electro in it. example: 2NE1’ s falling in love. is this kpop for you? Just because they speak some Korean and the rest is just English? or CL, GD, etc. No wonder that Lorde and other artists have interests in them. 

But tell me was it like that before? When Kpop wasn’t that American? I became a Kpop fan because I thought it was different! I was sick and tired of American music and all what is was about! In Korea exists rap music too, sure like in every country. but it isn’t Kpop. Since the Gangnam style Era Kpop changed way TOO much. What I am trying to say Is people started to say “I like Gangnam style I am an Kpop fan now!” that’s what i mean people don’t even know what exactly Kpop is! and it doesn’t matter how much Kpop will turn American or be popular there will always be people there who dislike it. 

Seriously the Entertainments can’t expect that every one knows or will like Kpop! For example in the country where i live the most people don’t even know what Kpop is! I even showed a non-kpop friend of mine GD’s michigo Mv she said “the song is s*hit” “he is crazy” etc. See? Yeah some people are ignorant and racist, but that’s not the matter now. I am an K-pop fan since 2009 and believe me I know what Kpop is. And I am sure many of you know that too. 

When you look now the rookies make hip hop music etc. The true Kings of Kpop are for me DBSK and Super Junior. Although DBSK split and SJ’s music changed a lot into dubstep and of course American. I may sound to you like I totally dislike American music. NO! I don’t dislike it! I just don’t want that Kpop and the idols are influenced by the American music industry. Just some Kpop groups have this Kpop concept like A-pink etc. 

I am sure that I look to you like an old Kpop fan that stuck in the “Sorry Sorry” and “Gee” era. lol no and believe it or not I am an EXOTIC. too be honest I hate the thought of it that Kpop will grow more because The people who talked shit about Kpop started to like it! It’s like all my non-Kpop friends that absolutely hate Kpop come to me spazzing over their ‘bias’  and sing to korean songs! What the actually f*ck?! When BIGBANG became popular with “fantastic baby” and “BLUE” Taeyang changed a lot! Sure he wants to experience an other style and make other music but, as he came up with cornrows and Snoop Dogg like hair i was like “WTF” what I mean is they seriously want to “try” it that way. 

I am not bashing Kpop, I am self a fan! But Kpop isn’t Kpop anymore! They even get choreographers from other countries. And composers as well. Do you see my problem here? they even get help to be more like the western artists! I don’t even want to talk about I Got A Boy.. Search for examples like SHINee’s Juliette or ring ding dong, Lucifer, 2ne1 & big bang lollipop ect. you will see the difference from then and now. Kpop was,cute, it gave’s songs with meanings, ect. Of course they are still such songs and concepts. but it changed too much and most groups make just hip hop now.  

I have no choice, either I like it or I hate it. But i can’t force myself to like it. be honest please wasn’t it one of the old Kpop songs that made you to an Kpop fan? groups like DBSK, SJ, SNSD, KARA, or B2ST, BIGBANG? Because many people came trough this groups to Kpop. I turned trough DBSK’s Balloons into an Kpop fan.