All About Kpop
Korean pop began to develop in 1945. This earliest style was known as Ppongtchak. Because it was created during the Japanese occupation of Korea, this style shared a lot of elements of Japanese aesthetics. The contrast from traditional Korean music was seen in the use of a duple meter instead of the common triple meter. The word "ppongtchak" mimics this rhthym with its three syllables. Many songs that were developed during this time were banned because they bore too much Japanese influence and did not adaquately reflect the culture of Korea. Despite the government's interference in the music industry at this time, older Koreans still tended to favor this style of music and actively supported singers like Nam Jin, Na Hun Ah, Cho Young Pil, and Chu Hyeon Mi.
The American influence was introduced to Korea after the Korean war when American soldier where stationed there. The American singer Nat King Cole had an influence on the singing style of the popular Korean singer Cho Hi Jun. The cultural exchange that took place during this time also influenced the guitar style t'ong which has roots in the music of Bob Dylan and Jan Baez. American rap and dance music also had an influence on bands like the Tajii Boys, Noise, and Rula.
Korean Pop was really just developing until 1990. The watershed of Kpop came with the debut of Seo Tajii & the Boys. This was the first truly successful band in Korea. It incorporated elements of American rock, rap, and techno.
The true turning point of kpop, when it became a part of Korean life and culture, was when Lee Soo Man established Stardom Entertainment, the first and largest entertainment company in Korea. Following his example, DPS, JYJ, and YG entertainment were also created.
The first boy and girl groups were established in the 1990s. Groups formed during this time like S.E.S., Sechs Kies, and H.O.T. were the first pioneer of the Hallyu Wave (the Korean media). Hip hop groups like Epik High, Drunken Tiger, and DBSK also gained famed during this time.
It wasn't until the 2000s that Korean pop became a global phenomenon. This decade saw the development of entertainment training programs that were formed to groom aspiring singers into Kpop idols. Even today, entertainment compaines willsometimes invest up to $400,000 in their trainee/ apprenticeship programs to ensure their musical success. This decade also saw the debut of the Wonder Girls who became the first Kpop group to place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their hit single, Nobody.
The American influence was introduced to Korea after the Korean war when American soldier where stationed there. The American singer Nat King Cole had an influence on the singing style of the popular Korean singer Cho Hi Jun. The cultural exchange that took place during this time also influenced the guitar style t'ong which has roots in the music of Bob Dylan and Jan Baez. American rap and dance music also had an influence on bands like the Tajii Boys, Noise, and Rula.
Korean Pop was really just developing until 1990. The watershed of Kpop came with the debut of Seo Tajii & the Boys. This was the first truly successful band in Korea. It incorporated elements of American rock, rap, and techno.
The true turning point of kpop, when it became a part of Korean life and culture, was when Lee Soo Man established Stardom Entertainment, the first and largest entertainment company in Korea. Following his example, DPS, JYJ, and YG entertainment were also created.
The first boy and girl groups were established in the 1990s. Groups formed during this time like S.E.S., Sechs Kies, and H.O.T. were the first pioneer of the Hallyu Wave (the Korean media). Hip hop groups like Epik High, Drunken Tiger, and DBSK also gained famed during this time.
It wasn't until the 2000s that Korean pop became a global phenomenon. This decade saw the development of entertainment training programs that were formed to groom aspiring singers into Kpop idols. Even today, entertainment compaines willsometimes invest up to $400,000 in their trainee/ apprenticeship programs to ensure their musical success. This decade also saw the debut of the Wonder Girls who became the first Kpop group to place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their hit single, Nobody.