Category: Commentary/Curation

This comment reflects how sometimes Western, and particularly American, commentators on K-pop forget about our relationship to Korea (i.e. looking at a culture from the outside) and reveal an unfamiliarity with Korean history. The rapid modernization experienced by Korea in the wake of military dictatorships and a war that ravaged the country does not preclude issues with economic disparity. African Americans do not have the corner on "ghettos" or "hoods." 

Fandoms, like YGLadies, who support 2NE1, often engage in projects. This project supports 2NE1’s comeback related to "love."

Fandoms are very important to the work of preserving information about K-pop. Part of that preservation work, espeically for global fans, are photos of fan artifacts.

Fan meets are a staple in K-pop fandom, and the expansion of the fan meet to non-Asian countries represents how Korean K-pop fan activity is spreading along with K-pop.

Celebrations of anniversaries are important in K-pop fandom. This project by HighSkool, fans of Epik High, show that are activities that K-pop fandoms share regardless of genre.

Categorization is something that can be really useful in navigating the K-pop world, but sometimes it can be too restrictive. Given the group’s history, style of music, and mode of promotion, it is difficult to say that 2AM is not a K-pop group. However, the comment reflects a desire to distance 2AM from groups at the forefront of K-pop, namely, idol groups.  However, K-pop is a style of music with many genres and different kinds of groups.  

Commentators have been announcing the end of K-pop for years now. Such pronouncements do not take into consideration the trajectory of K-pop. K-pop’s international appeal did not begin with Psy; Psy represents yet another aspect of K-pop’s global spread. 

Unless a K-pop group has officially disbanded, it is always poised for a comeback. Koyote last released material in 2011, but now they are staging a comeback.

K-pop fans love to know where their artists are, and thanks to other K-pop fans, they get updated with reports of sightings at airports. 

K-pop fans love a project! These A+, fans of MBLAQ, are plannign a three part project that invovles charity, a gift and a photo album.

Another common fan activity is trending for significant events. In preparation of SS501 leader Kim Hyun Joong’s release, Triple S/Green Peas, fans of SS501, as well as Henecias, fans of Kim Hyun Joong, will trend a hashtag.

Sightings of Epik High fans on the Internet are scarce, so it is significant that they have established a Facebook page. 

Fans like to show their support for artists by voting in various polls on the Internet. They encourage their fellow fans to vote, and often provide tutorials and instructions to show them how.

One of the most important needs a K-pop fan has it to know where K-pop artists are. Fans rise to the challenge by keeping track of K-pop artist movements. 

Fandoms actively collect and preserve information about K-pop artists for others. Here, CloudsUSA reveal their discography project, which is very important for fans looking to expand their knowledge of Rain beyond just the released singles.