Just like how the Hallyu boom disappeared slowly after 2002, several people are also predicting this second Hallyu boom, especially focused on K-pop will disappear too. However, some people disagree since Japan currently has no idol group that can beat these well-trained and highly skilled Korean idol groups. Although there are controversial ideas about how it will lead to in the future, most people believe, including myself, believe this boom will last a pretty long amount of time. I will explain why.. First of all, as I have stated above, currently, Japanese idols are do not have high quality skills to produce something that would be better than the Korean stars. They need at least four years of intensive training in order to become a successful Korean stars. Another reason is that Japanese music industries are not interested in making an idol group that would beat the current K-Pop stars. It is not necessary because the Japanese people believe K-Pop can just become a portion of J-Pop culture. However, this is something that the Koreans want to prevent from happening because Japanese people might actually call K-Pop J-Pop and including a high quality music in their industry. Moreover, it is cheaper and more efficient to just make contracts and hire the already trained idols instead of creating their own. It is also safer since they already had success in Korea and they might have fans that access them from the internet. Since the economy overall is pretty bad right now, the Japanese investors want to invest in a safer place, which are K-Pop artists.
Unlike before, girl groups are flourishing and dominating the Korean music industry. They call it the "Golden Age of Girl Groups" because there are so many of them and they're getting popular and popular day by day. Girl groups in Korea have members that have very strong characteristics and their cute/pretty faces and slim bodies attract not only boys, but also girls. Today, I'll talk about some of the most famous girl groups in Korea!
1. SNSD or Girls Generation
"Girls generation…… tell me your wish « myKoREanStaRs." myKoREanStaRs. N.p., 21 Nov. 2009. Web. 21 Apr. 2010. .
Girls Generation is most definitely the most popular girl group in Korea right now. Each member is very talented in acting, singing, and dancing. Every song they release easily win first place in the K-pop chart and they've been chosen as the best artist in Korea last year. Their most famous song, "Gee":
Girls Generation's most recent song, "Run Devil Run":
They made a big change on their image this year!
2. Wonder Girls:
"Wonder Girls Signed on as Exclusive Models for KTF Ever CF « Wonder Girls Wonderland." Wonder Girls Wonderland. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2010. .
The Wonder Girls has many hit songs. Recently, they've moved to the United States to expand their field but I'm sure that they'll easily be on the top of the K-pop chart when they return. They made a big hit out of a song called "Tell Me" and continued the popularity with songs, "So Hot", "The Fool" and "Nobody". They're the group that led to the trend of hook songs in the K-pop industry. Hook songs are songs that have a repetitive melody that makes the listeners strongly attached to the song. These songs are often very addictive but I think you get tired of it pretty easily. However, I think hook songs are pretty fun! WG's hit songs: -Tell Me
Compared to other girl groups, the Brown Eyed Girls are very old. However, this factor of the Brown Eyed Girls led to their success. Unlike other girl groups, who have the cute and lovely image, they have a sexy and more mature image. They made a big break with the song, "Abracadabra".
4. 2NE1:
"2NE1 – I Don’t Care « LocaBuzz Latest Craving." LocaBuzz Latest Craving. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2010. .
This group is a very unique girl group. It's been their first year after their debut but they have lots fans! They're fans are mostly girls unlike other girl groups. This is because their songs created an image of a strong girl and many girls look up to them as role models of a cool woman. One of their song, "I Don't Care" is a good example.
5. Kara:
"Honey by Kara « Biraincute’s Blog." Biraincute’s Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2010. .
Last but not least, it Kara. Kara has five members and they're all very cute and lovely. I think Kara has a very feminine and cute image. Kara fans say that that's Kara's biggest, most powerful attraction. Kara also has many fans in Japan and almost one third of them are girls! This is very unusual for a girl group but Japanese female fans say that they admire them and look up to them because they're so cute and pretty. However, Kara recently changed their image with the new song, "Lupin".
[Before] Cute&Feminine Kara:
I'm looking forward to other, new girl groups too! For example, 4minute, t-ara, and f(x). I wish they continue their successful reputations.
Just like how the Hallyu boom disappeared slowly after 2002, several people are also predicting this second Hallyu boom, especially focused on K-pop will disappear too. However, some people disagree since Japan currently has no idol group that can beat these well-trained and highly skilled Korean idol groups. Although there are controversial ideas about how it will lead to in the future, most people believe, including myself, believe this boom will last a pretty long amount of time. I will explain why..
First of all, as I have stated above, currently, Japanese idols are do not have high quality skills to produce something that would be better than the Korean stars. They need at least four years of intensive training in order to become a successful Korean stars. Another reason is that Japanese music industries are not interested in making an idol group that would beat the current K-Pop stars. It is not necessary because the Japanese people believe K-Pop can just become a portion of J-Pop culture. However, this is something that the Koreans want to prevent from happening because Japanese people might actually call K-Pop J-Pop and including a high quality music in their industry. Moreover, it is cheaper and more efficient to just make contracts and hire the already trained idols instead of creating their own. It is also safer since they already had success in Korea and they might have fans that access them from the internet. Since the economy overall is pretty bad right now, the Japanese investors want to invest in a safer place, which are K-Pop artists.
