How do people learn and exchange cultures from other nations? In the days before internet, it took days, months, or centuries for people to have actual chance to interpret new cultures, especially in literature. The works of famous writers and poets had to be translated and transformed in ways that people from different culture could understand what author or poet is saying. But music was different. Though it still took time for people to make contact with other nations' music, people could understand and like the music without any form of labor. As internet developed and made easy for cultures to spread, K-Pop, a.k.a Korean Popular Music, achieved their fame and support all around the world.
Super Junior, the one of famous Korean boy bands in Korea, consists of 13 original members as well as two other members in unit group called Super Junior-M. Members are Leeteuk(leader), Heechul, Han Geng(currently not part of SJ), Yesung, Kangin, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook, Kibum, and Kyuhyun, and they had to be fully trained both vocal and dance before they could debut. From each member's variety experiences in music, dramas, and entertainment shows, Super Junior was able to achieve fame all over the world.
In their recent album, Mr. Simple, Super Junior placed sixth on United World Chart and third on Billboard's World Album Chart. Due to rising support from all over the nations, Super Junior perfroms in South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and other nations. With other singers, including TVXQ, BoA, Girls Generation, Shinee, and f(x), Super Junior performed in L.A and Paris and schedueled to perform in NYC on October 23.
Super Junior, though they have other popular songs, made great hit with Sorry, Sorry. It attracted not only Korean viewers but also people from other nations. Since the dance of hook part in Sorry,Sorry, people, careless of their race, job, gender, or age, mimicked their dance and posted in YouTube, which quickly became popular. (The most famous parody of Sorry, Sorry is done by group of prisoners in Philippines) Whenever Super Junior releases new album, people learn their dance through music video and performances so that they know how to dance to even their newest songs.
Super Junior is supported by E.L.F, a.k.a Ever Lasting Friends, the official fan name for super junior. E.L.F uses pear saphire blue balloon and light to cheer Super Junior when they are performing. The presence of pearl saphire blue balloon and light is to let Super Junior know that they are with them any where they go. Super Junior and E.L.F also communicate by unique introduction and reply. Members also use blog, Twitter, or Cyworld (Korean communicating system) to communicate with E.L.F by telling their stories or sharing photos or videos.
Super Junior is expanding their fan base careless their age and race. Members constantly visit other countries to perform and communicate with the fans, who came over to Korea just to meet them. Their songs list top chart in other nations that Bonamana, one of their hit songs, ranked #1 in Taiwanese music chart for 60 consecutive weeks and #1 was replaced when super junior released new album.
K-Pop is growing music genre that is slowly making its way into other culture. K-Pop artists make people from diverse nations to fall in love with not only music but also drama and show programs. K-Pop artists are expanding their fan base all over the world as well as letting other nations know about Korea and its culture.
No comments:
Post a Comment