The Global Phenomenon

A lot of people are aware of what K-pop is, but if you are unaware, it is Korean Pop. Kpop has recently been a huge global phenomenon with the success of many groups for example BTS, BlackPink, EXO, TWICE, and many more.

Many people have recently joined the fandom for Korean music after the huge success of BTS from 2017 after their Wings repackage You Never Walk Alone, joining after their BBMAs win beating Justin Bieber's record, you may have seen them on The American Music Awards or even joining the Love Yourself series.

BTS is a seven-member group consisting of Kim Namjoon (RM), Kim Seokjin (Jin), Min Yoongi (Suga), Jung Hoseok (J Hope), Park Jimin (Jimin), Kim Taehyung (V) and Jeon Jungkook (Jungkook). These seven young lads have refined music by advocating for rights and often the change which the South Korean society strives for.

You may not have figured but I am also part of the BTS ARMY myself. I remember flicking through the channel and stumbling across a K-pop show, reminiscing my years where I loved B.A.P another very unique group. I decided to continue watching the show and was entranced with the Blood, Sweat and Tears video. 24 hours later I was watching a five-minute compilation of Jin laughing. They truly had me entranced.

The number one question which I hear whenever someone does say they enjoy Korean Pop is 'How can you understand?' I never understood Fetty Wap's Trap Queen until I looked at the lyric video Wither, yet the concept of looking at lyric videos is hard to grasp for some.

I remember listening to the different songs and the one which made me really appreciate their lyrical genius is a song called Tommorow. BTS write their own lyrics, produce melodies, and honestly, they are incredible. For myself as a South Asian I found a sense of belonging through the music I thought, 'Oh my God, someone on the other side of the globe has perfectly described what my crisis is'. This was the same reason why I heavily appreciated bands such as Pierce the Veil and Green Day.

In relation to the lyrics, I remember hearing the Rap Line's Mixtape. These consist of (RM, AGUST D and HOPEWORLD). The song which heavily allows me to explain my feelings in relation to my anxiety and depression are RM, Joke and AGUST D - The Last. HOPEWORLD allowed me to feel at ease during the time where I was able to collect my feelings and thoughts through the other mixtapes.

Now some may say I am an obsessive fan. However, I truly wish the best for these lads because they are the epitome of "started from the bottom and we are still going up." The BTS lads, however, still are majorly thankful for their fans and constantly allow their struggles to show in order to acknowledge and show people how to overcome.

I could write a thesis on how BTS have inspired me if I'm honest.

Moving on, in relation to K-pop and Asian Music we have seen how BTS have the ability to crack the Billboard chart in America and the Hot100. This has perhaps given me a future hope that maybe some Bollywood music in the future could also be in the Billboards. I'm talking a song from Arjit Singh without him having to feature an American artist but showcasing his raw talent.

I hope people are not going to put all South Asians into the club of listening to that one Tunuk Tunuk Song which I see on every Korean show in reference to Indians. Please use another song like Haule Haule or All is Well. Get some other classics in.

Some BTS Songs which I would recommend:

Their entire discography it is pure genius—the free mixtapes and the free tracks on Soundcloud.

Here's to the Future.

Signing Off for Now.

Daily Crisis.