dynamite culture
Text by TARA KOTHARI
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Art by SAMANTHA HO
K-POP TRANSCENDS CULTURAL BOUNDARIES
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IBRANT PASTELS AND COTTON CANDY-LIKE Blackpink clouds fill the screen as the camera slowly zooms and The four-person girl group debuted in 2016, when their a soft melody starts up in the background. With over captivating music videos and fun beats first caught the atten100 million views in 24 hours, K-pop group BTS’s tion of many around the globe. Their 2018 hit single “DDUlatest hit, “Dynamite,” broke YouTube’s record for the most DU DDU-DU” raked in over 1.3 billion views, making it the views in 24 hours. Spending a total of three most viewed K-pop music video on Youweeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 The artists and the fans Tube. songs chart, “Dynamite” remained true to Blackpink’s first-ever full album, its name as its popularity was, quite liter- are more connected [in “The Album,” was released on Oct. 2 and ally, explosive. K-pop] than they are in consists of eight songs, each with its own Today, BTS remains one of the most unique vibe. Tracks such as “Lovesick prominent K-pop groups in the world western music.” Girls,” “How You Like That” and “Pretwith an astounding fanbase and worldwide ty Savage” quickly broke chart records. — ELLEN FANG, senior Whether you are working out or relaxing recognition. On Oct. 15, BTS’s label, Big Hit Entertainment, went public on Korea's at home, their songs are perfect for any ocStock Exchange with a market valuation casion as their warm and bright melodies of $4.1 billion, making it South Korea's largest IPO in three make you want to hear more. years. On Nov. 24, BTS made history again as they were nominated for a Grammy, making them the first K-pop group to ever NCT receive a Grammy nomination. Consisting of 23 members ranging from their late teens to Originating from South Korea, K-pop is a melting pot of mid twenties, the unusually large South Korean boy group is music styles from all around the world, of course including split into four subunits, all of which have come together for the their own traditional Korean roots. Each group brings its own second time in their newest album. “NCT RESONANCE Pt. style and personality, providing its followers with a personal 1,” was released on Oct. 12, with 13 memorable songs to make experience. their fans’ wishes come true. According to senior Ellen Fang, the industry’s rapid growth One of their most captivating tracks from this new album, around the world is in part due to its unique method of using “Make A Wish (Birthday Song),” contains everything from social platforms such as Weverse, an app created by Big Hit hip-hop to R&B, making it highly addictive. The music video Entertainment that allows fans to communicate directly with transports its viewers into a world of wonder as it delivers the various K-pop idols. music in the most colorful and entrancing way possible. The “It [K-pop] definitely feels very family-like because the art- elaborate Bollywood-inspired choreography and beautiful viists and the fans are more connected than they are in western suals make watching the 4-minute, 9-second video worth every music,” Fang said. moment. After hearing all of the positive remarks, I listened to toNCT’s innovation and creativity makes them a group to day's hottest K-pop groups’ new albums. v keep an eye on in the future.
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