Exploring the Hallyu Wave 1 | Page 11

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K-Pop vs. J-Pop:

Why K-Pop Reigns Supreme

Those who don’t listen to Asian pop music often mix them up with each other. More specifically, K-pop and J-pop are are mistaken for the other.I understand people’s confusion with them not being able to tell one language from the other, but K-pop and J-pop are two different types of styles and should be distinguished from.

J-pop music is well known and even those who don’t listen to it normally have probably seen a crazy music video showed to them by their friend. J-pop is very bubbly and eccentric and it hasn’t changed it’s image in a long time. In fact, most J-pop groups focus only on their Japanese fan base; the artist mostly only speak Japanese and don’t tour outside of Asia.

K-Pop on the other hand, is very diverse. It caters to crowds internationally with a little English thrown in and the music videos are not crazy so you don’t end up asking yourself ‘What did I just watch?’ K-pop stars have to go through years of training in singing, dancing, and acting, and have to learn multiple languages so they can interact with their foreign fans. They are more skilled than their J-pop counterparts because they have to be after investing so much time in their careers. contracts for the stars include; whether or not they can date, what they have to eat, how often they can see their family, as well as other things that should not be in a music contract.

So here are the differences, I hope that when you next hear a J-Pop or K-pop song(because you know you want to after hearing the tracks on the magazine), or watch a music video, you’ll be able to tell them apart.

VIDEOS ABOVE

L: AKB48's song "River", 2009

R: SNSD's song "Gee", 2009