[Iconic Rain] Aljazeera English Reports on South Korea’s Pop Wave
~Cloud Cover by Terri :-}, Managing Editor
I thought I’d share this thought-provoking report from AlJazeeraEnglish, 101 East, on The Korean Wave. I found it to be pretty interesting. I hope you do too.
Although, I must say that the talk about the K-Pop industry needing diversity was a little silly. Frankly, couldn’t pop music everywhere on the planet use a little more diversity? But that’s never going to happen. Why? Well, the underlying driver of pop music is its popularity, which is mostly manufactured by genius management companies and labels. Yes, even here in the States.
Here in the U.S.A., raw and extremely talented independent musicians struggle every day for face-time against slick, industry-created flavors-of-the-month. Just like they do in South Korea. Recognizing the fact that we need more diversity and originality in entertainment is greatly appreciated, but what does it matter if the powers-that-be don’t think it will sell? It doesn’t. Not in the least.
And yes, in case you’re wondering, there is a mention of Rain in this report as the iconic figure we all know him to be. :-}
Please enjoy.
Terri :-}
Sources: AlJazeeraEnglish
Written by Terri@cloudusa.org
Cloud USA 
Rain, realmente figura entre los más grandes artistas, eso es indudable. Yo conocí el kpop gracias a él. Cuanta falta nos hace, ha dejado un vacio MUY GRANDE!! y que es difícil de llenar.
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Goodness, where to begin? I’ll say this…..Terri you’re right, it almost doesn’t matter about diversity if the powers that be won’t let it happen. However, the one thing the powers that be (in anybody’s country) soon recognize is the “color of M-O-N-E-Y.” The “suits” wanna keep the gravy train going. Two quotes stood out to me in the video. 1) where the gentleman said that Americans (as a whole) see the K-Pop industry as an avatar for American pop culture, basically as it already is here anyway. 2) Another gentleman said that K-Pop does indeed have a “shelf life” so without a big name like Rain out there right now to lead the wave globally, the wave may play out.
I’m inclined to agree with these assessments. I also agree that K-Pop is hella popular right now as you said Terri, but who drives Any pop music industry in anybody’s country……yes, mostly tweenies and older teens. Music changes as that audience changes too. Felisshi is right too, with regard to originality with these groups. Unfortunately, they will have to diversify in some way if they want to keep the popularity of their industry going. I’m not talking racially. The country itself is not really diverse in that regard, I would just say diversify the type of music that gets put out. I like the idea of different genres of music coming from the Korean culture instead of just the synchronized swimmer type pop groups. Eventually, people will tire of the seeing the same thing. The best thing that happened for Bi is that he was able to debut ultimately as a solo artist. From jump street he was able to showcase his talent and individuality from the beginning and people tapped into him alone. Felisshi, yes the “it” factor just “oozed” out of him. You can’t manufacture the “it” factor, that’s something a person is born with, it’s makes you….you. Nobody else has Your “it” but you. I mean really for me personally (gotta be honest), I get a “headache” from trying to keep up with the K-Pop industry. You got 9 million different groups, with 1500 different members to one group and new groups debuting all the time. Heck, my eyeballs don’t know who the hell to focus on…..quite frankly. Let’s not even talk about trying to remember names. Yes, Noona is getting “younger” by the minute…..Benjamin Button anyone (SMILES). Don’t get mad (*just saying*). While I appreciate K-Pop and actually like some of the songs and artists, I’ll probably be one of those individuals who’s only gonna be a Rain “groupie” and I’m ok with that.
Oh BTW, MBLAQ has my support. They’re my exception.
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Terrific points, BiA.
Thank you.
Terri :-}
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I can say that Rain is instrumental in introducing KPop all over the world including the US. He had his first major concert in the US in Feb 2006 and that alone for me was risky. It could either make you or break you. Rain paved the way to other group performers. What Rain lacked in certain aspects in those days, as in six years ago, were easily remedied during these period. I therefore could say, the Korean performers these days are lucky that Rain kind of introduced the hidden talents of Korea. And the fact that Rain was twice named at the famous Times 100 most influential people and his movie Ninja Assassin , people became more curious about their talents. Not that I’m biased but Rain’s dancing ability is superior compared to these younger groups. Rain’s is comparable to the big time US pop icons. They boy and girl groups only look cute probably because of their synchronicity when dancing, but there is something lacking or missing…originality? or limited movement? or they do not have the height and masculinity of Rain and his gracefulness when dancing? I don’t know, cannot pinpoint it. But there is something missing…maybe the charm? They just don’t have “it”.
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