I have been really getting into k-pop recently, even before PSY received universal attention on Youtube with his music video “Gangnum Style”.
I just couldn’t help myself!
They had me at hello with their flashy and colorful outfits, killer dance moves, and catchy upbeat music!
They develop their talent in the entertainment industry differently compared to how talent is developed and marketed here in the states. Korea’s method is much more effective where they are even breaking into the American market.
I find myself way more interested in with Korean artist’s than American artists because Korean artists are more personable and relateable whereas sometimes artists in America give off a persona where they seem almost untouchable. It’s as if they are way above us.
Korean music artists are often in groups so they are able to work together without feeling the need to break up that easily. Here in the states, I feel most artists have too big of an ego to join a music group of other talented artists. You would think the force of many would be better than the force of one, but in the U.S. that’s not always the case.
In Korea,there are SEVERAL music groups. If an artist within that group feels the need to do their own single or even their own album they are free to do so. And just because you see one of their artists do one or two solo albums doesn’t mean the group eventually falls apart, it actually keeps them together much longer and makes the group much stronger.
The music artists in k-pop have the ability to do their own thing while at the same time stay loyal to their group so no one feels tied down or restricted creatively. There is a perfect balance of unity and individuality.
Why don’t we just learn from them in general and get music back to where it needs to be?
You know, when music was once…GOOD!
Well, while I’m happy to encourage others to explore the world of k-pop, I wanted to share a music video that has recently been chosen as one of my favorites. It’s a music video from Park Bom, the main singer of 2NE1, which is a great girl group.
It took me a while to watch this video but I heard so many great things about it. It’s kind of an “oldie” (Came out since 2009) but as soon as I watched it, I was just so touched emotionally. For the most part, I don’t know what she’s saying (As I never do when I watch k-pop music videos since I am not Korean), but I was so moved emotionally because of the message that was being delivered.
See it for yourself…
I warn you….This could be a tearjerker
YOU AND I
If you didn’t get it at all then allow me to give you a recap of what you just saw:
The video begins with a girl (Park Bom) getting married to the man of her dreams. They are two young individuals madly in love with each other. Her dreams come true but only to be cut short because her husband ends up diagnosed with an incurable disease. With her finding out about this, she spends every moment she can with him doing lighthearted and fun things together. She stays positive and strong for him because he is worried and scared for himself as well as for her in the future. He’s is worried that he won’t be there to be the husband that she deserves and the husband that he’s always wanted to be for her. The girl does what she can, such as follows a small dream of opening up her own bakery and using that to provide for her husband as well as herself since her husband is unable to work. He gets worse and weaker so he is put in a wheelchair. He contemplates committing suicide because he feels like a burden to his wife. He is just about to make the attempt when he decides at the last minute to stay, not for himself, but for her, because she still needs him even if he is unable to do much. He returns to her and draws her while she’s sleeping. She’s his inspiration to keep living. While the girl is sleeping she dreams, of her husband being better and the two of them starting a family by having their first child. She wakes up out of that dream seeing him there drawing her. She then shares one last moment with him, doing something very special for him for the holidays, which he was very touched by but he passes away shortly after. You then see her with his notebook and his red scooter. She is in a field reminiscing about the lover of her life, whom she promises to always be with forever because he will continue to be with her in spirit. At the end, she reads the last thing he wrote to her next to a picture with his face on it and said, ” I am sorry I couldn’t protect you”.
And that is the lesson of unconditional love and to appreciate every moment you have on this Earth people! Any questions?
That is why I love k-pop, just for moments and music like this; Music that touches your heart and teaches you valuable insight on life!
If you know where to find the link for the translated to English lyrics to the song, please post that in the comments!
DesirE to appreciate love and life……and k-pop!
