KPOP HISTORY in 20mins | From SeoTaiji to BTS

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive journey through the evolution of K-pop, from its roots in South Korea to its global phenomenon status. It highlights key eras, starting with the 1990s' economic boom that birthed modern K-pop, through the influential debuts of Seo Taeji and Boys, and the rise of the 'Big Three' labels: SM, YG, and JYP. The script details the impact of groups like H.O.T., TVXQ, Big Bang, and 2NE1, and acknowledges the current dominance of BTS. It also touches on the industry's challenges, including the IMF crisis and the saturation of idol groups, while emphasizing K-pop's continuous growth and innovation.

Takeaways

• 🎵 K-pop is a genre of music originating from South Korea that has grown exponentially in popularity worldwide, encompassing a variety of styles.
• 🌐 South Korea, located between China and Japan, has a rich history that includes periods of colonization and war, which initially limited the development of its music industry.
• 📈 The 1990s economic boom in South Korea, known as the 'Miracle of Han River', led to a flourishing of the music scene, including the rise of K-pop.
• 🌟 Seo Taeji and Boys are credited with revolutionizing the K-pop industry in 1992 with their unique style and music, influencing future generations of artists.
• 🏆 The 1990s saw the rise of major entertainment companies like SM Entertainment, DSP, and YG Entertainment, which played a significant role in shaping K-pop and its global reach.
• 🌀 The late 90s economic crisis in South Korea impacted the entertainment industry, but companies like SM Entertainment persisted, leading to the success of groups like H.O.T. and S.E.S.
• 🚀 The 2000s marked the second generation of K-pop with the rise of groups like TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, and Big Bang, which expanded K-pop's global influence.
• 🌍 The third generation of K-pop is characterized by a saturation of idol groups, a focus on globalization, and the rise of TV audition survival programs to find new talent.
• 🌟 BTS, a group from Big Hit Entertainment, has become a global phenomenon, breaking records and achieving international success, and is often seen as a defining group of the current K-pop era.
• 🔮 K-pop continues to evolve, with new generations of artists emerging and the genre's influence spreading worldwide, suggesting a future of continued growth and innovation.

Q & A

What is the origin of K-pop?

K-pop, short for Korean pop, originates from South Korea and includes a variety of music styles.

How did the political history of Korea influence its music industry?

Korea's music industry was not diverse or public until the economy improved, due to periods of colonization by Japan and division caused by the Korean War, followed by the Cold War.

What significant changes occurred in the Korean music industry during the 1970s?

The 1970s saw an improvement in the economy, leading to the emergence of rock and folk music, and young people began to enjoy life more freely.

Who are some of the legendary musicians that popularized ballads in Korea during the 1980s?

Legendary musicians like Cho Young-pil and bands such as Sinawe and Deulgukhwa contributed to the popularity of ballads in the 1980s.

What economic event in the 1990s led to significant growth in the Korean music industry?

The 'Miracle of Han River' in the 1990s, where Korea experienced economic prosperity, led to growth in the music industry with increased opportunities for artists and the public.

Why is Seo Taeji and Boys considered pivotal in the history of K-pop?

Seo Taeji and Boys are considered pivotal because they brought a new style of music that mixed electronic/digital with traditional sounds and addressed social issues, which significantly changed the music scene in 1992.

How did the economic crisis in the late 1990s affect the K-pop industry?

The economic crisis led to job losses, bankruptcies, and the closure of many entertainment labels. It also resulted in the cancellation of TV music programs, causing a significant downturn in the industry.

What is the significance of the year 1996 in K-pop history?

1996 is significant because it marked the debut of H.O.T, a group that revolutionized K-pop with their rap and fashionable styles, and the founding of SM Entertainment, which became a major player in the industry.

How did the concept of 'idols' evolve in the K-pop industry?

The concept of 'idols' evolved from simply being performers to a cult-like following with official fan clubs, fan meetings, and fan fiction, where groups like Seo Taeji and Boys were seen as the 'Idol'.

What role did television and the internet play in the globalization of K-pop?

Television and the internet were crucial in the globalization of K-pop by providing platforms for music videos, performances, and fan interactions, which helped K-pop reach a global audience.

How did the debut of groups like EXO and BTS reflect changes in the K-pop industry?

The debut of EXO and BTS reflected a shift towards more globalized groups with members from different countries, a focus on diverse musical styles, and a stronger emphasis on global markets.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 The Birth and Evolution of Kpop

The video script begins by highlighting the global phenomenon of Kpop, a music genre that originated in South Korea with diverse styles. It traces Kpop's roots back to South Korea's history, including periods of colonization and war, which initially stifled the music industry. The narrative then moves through the economic boom of the '90s, where Kpop started to flourish with the rise of genres like hip hop, dance, and R&B. The paragraph culminates with the impact of Seo Taeji and Boys in 1992, whose innovative music and style marked a pivotal moment in Kpop history, leading to a wave of new artists and the establishment of major entertainment labels like S.M. Entertainment and DSP.

05:01

🎤 The Emergence of Idol Groups and the First Generation of Kpop

This section delves into the rise of idol groups and the first generation of Kpop, characterized by the intense competition between entertainment companies like SM and DSP. It discusses the formation of iconic groups such as H.O.T, Sechs Kies, S.E.S, and FIN.K.L, each contributing to Kpop's diversification. The paragraph also touches on the economic challenges faced by the industry during the IMF crisis and the strategic efforts of companies like YG Entertainment to redefine the music landscape with hip hop groups like 1TYM, setting the stage for the industry's future growth.

10:01

🌐 Kpop's Global Expansion and the Second Generation

The script then explores the second generation of Kpop, marked by the globalization of Kpop and the rise of solo artists who played a crucial role in transitioning between generations. It highlights the success of artists like BOA and Rain, who expanded Kpop's reach to international audiences. The paragraph also discusses the continued dominance of groups like TVXQ and the emergence of new groups from major companies, each with their unique styles and contributions to the evolving Kpop scene.

15:02

🌈 The Diversification and Global Reach of Third Generation Kpop

This part of the script focuses on the third generation of Kpop, characterized by a massive influx of idol groups and the necessity for globalization. It discusses the public's shift in perception towards idols and the rise of TV audition survival programs as a means to discover talent. The paragraph highlights the success of groups like EXO, BTS, and Blackpink, each breaking records and achieving global recognition. It also touches on the industry's attempts to expand into new markets and the increasing importance of English-speaking members in groups to facilitate international outreach.

20:04

🚀 The Unprecedented Success of BTS and the Future of Kpop

The final section of the script is dedicated to the unprecedented success of BTS, a group that has transcended Kpop to become a global phenomenon. It discusses BTS's humble beginnings, their rise to fame, and their numerous achievements, including chart-topping albums and historic performances. The paragraph concludes by pondering the future of Kpop, questioning whether it will continue to grow or fade as a trend, and acknowledging the ever-evolving nature of the industry.

Keywords

💡Kpop

Kpop, short for Korean Pop, is a genre of music originating from South Korea that encompasses a variety of musical styles. It is characterized by its catchy tunes, synchronized choreography, and visually appealing music videos. In the video, Kpop is the central theme, highlighting its growth and impact on global culture. The script mentions various Kpop groups and songs, illustrating its evolution and popularity.

💡Seo Taeji and Boys

Seo Taeji and Boys were a groundbreaking South Korean music group that played a pivotal role in shaping the modern Kpop sound. They are often credited with initiating the 'Korean New Wave' in the early 1990s. The script refers to them as 'basically the Tupac of kpop', indicating their revolutionary influence and the way they challenged traditional music norms with their innovative style and social commentary.

💡Hallyu

Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, refers to the global spread of South Korean culture since the late 1990s. It includes Kpop, Korean dramas, and other cultural elements. The term is used in the script to describe the phenomenon of Kpop's international popularity, which has helped South Korean culture gain a significant following worldwide.

💡Idol Groups

Idol groups are a staple of the Kpop industry, typically consisting of young singers who are trained in singing, dancing, and performing. They often debut through highly competitive auditions and training programs. The script discusses the rise of idol groups like H.O.T, S.E.S, and BTS, emphasizing their impact on the Kpop scene and their role in driving the industry's growth.

💡S.M. Entertainment

S.M. Entertainment is one of the 'big three' entertainment companies in South Korea, known for launching some of the most successful Kpop groups. The script mentions S.M. as a pioneer in developing a systematic idol training system, which has been instrumental in shaping the Kpop industry. Groups like H.O.T, TVXQ, Super Junior, and Girls' Generation are products of S.M.'s training and management.

💡YG Entertainment

YG Entertainment is another major player in the Kpop industry, recognized for its focus on hip-hop and R&B influences within Kpop. The script highlights YG as the company behind influential groups like Big Bang and 2NE1, which have contributed to Kpop's diversification and global reach.

💡JYP Entertainment

JYP Entertainment is the third of the 'big three' Kpop companies, known for its girl groups and a distinctive approach to music and performance. The script mentions JYP as the creator of popular acts like Wonder Girls and TWICE, emphasizing the company's role in shaping the sound and style of Kpop.

💡Globalization

Globalization in the context of Kpop refers to the industry's efforts to expand its audience beyond South Korea and Asia. The script discusses the industry's shift towards a more global outlook, with groups targeting international markets and incorporating English into their songs. This strategy has been crucial for Kpop's worldwide recognition and success.

💡Survival Shows

Survival shows are reality television programs where contestants compete in various challenges to 'survive' and form or join Kpop groups. The script refers to shows like 'Produce 101', which have become a significant part of the Kpop landscape, offering a platform for new talent and creating buzz around debuting groups.

💡BTS

BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band that has achieved unprecedented global success. The script dedicates a significant portion to BTS, highlighting their impact on the Kpop industry and their status as a cultural phenomenon. BTS is noted for their meaningful lyrics, self-produced music, and their ability to connect with fans on a global scale.

Highlights

Kpop's origins trace back to South Korea, with a history of musical styles influenced by traditional sounds and Japanese trot.

The 1970s saw a shift in Korean music with the introduction of rock and folk, reflecting a more open and creative society.

The 1980s were dominated by folk songs and ballads, with legendary artists like Cho Youngpil gaining popularity.

The 1990s, dubbed the 'Miracle of Han River', marked an economic boom that fueled the growth of the music industry and the rise of Kpop.

Seo Taeji and Boys are credited with revolutionizing Kpop in 1992 with their unique style and electronic music.

The late 1990s saw the emergence of idol groups and the beginning of a more systematic approach to Kpop by entertainment companies.

The economic crisis of the late 1990s impacted the entertainment industry, but Kpop groups like H.O.T. and S.E.S. continued to gain popularity.

The first generation of Kpop was characterized by groups like H.O.T., S.E.S., and Sechs Kies, which defined the era's sound and style.

The second generation of Kpop introduced groups like TVXQ, Super Junior, and Girls' Generation, which expanded Kpop's reach to Japan and China.

Big Bang's 2006 debut marked a significant shift in Kpop, with their hip hop influence and global success.

2NE1 and Wonder Girls represented a new era of girl groups with strong concepts and international appeal.

The third generation of Kpop is noted for its saturation of idol groups, a trend towards globalization, and the rise of survival audition programs.

BTS's rise to global fame has been unprecedented, with achievements that include multiple Billboard Top 200 No. 1 albums and a UN speech.

The influence of Kpop extends beyond music, impacting fashion, dance, and culture on a global scale.

The future of Kpop remains uncertain but promising, with the potential for continued growth and evolution.

Transcripts

There's one thing this video needs...

Kpop!

Kpop, a popular music originating in South Korea and encompassing a variety of styles.

As you've seen, kpop has grown exponentially.

Everyone in the world, like it or not, must have seen a kpop related video

at least once. Either if it's Gangnam style

or a BTS video, or an annoying kpop dancing meme on Twitter.

But you might not be sure on what K-pop actually is and where and when it began.

Well, it all comes down to a country called South Korea.

A peninsula located in East Asia in between China and Japan.

Korea was doing great with its kingdoms and dynasties

for more than four thousand years

until 1910 to 1945 when Korea was colonized by Japan.

And from 1950 to 1953 when the Korean War happens

splitting Korea into North and South. Then Korea was stuck in the Cold War.

Due to war and all the economy wasn't that great

thus the music industry wasn't that public nor diverse.

While Korea did have music-like traditional sounds

or Japanese influenced trot.

1970s. The economy got a little better. Jeans, acoustic guitars,

young kids enjoying life. Rock, folk music happened.

But still the government doesn't like too much freedom and creativity.

They want you to work. Werk werk werk~

1980s. Two words: folk songs

and ballads.

First, Korean

ballads kick in.

People like these dudes make ballad really popular.

Legendary dudes like Cho Youngpil pop out.

Bands like Sinawe and Deulgukhwa pop out.

People start listening to these dudes

instead of these dudes.

'Til the 90s, when these dudes get rich.

No one is unemployed.

People call it the miracle of Han River.

Successful Olympics,

CD distribution,

Kids get to wear Nike shoes,

buy music,

go to concerts. Clubs happen, dancing becomes a thing.

Finally the good 'ol 90s arrive.

Ding ding~

Hi, I'm kpop.

All these new genres start to bloom.

Hip hop, dance, r & b, soul, gospel,

and of course the popularity of ballad and folk songs continue.

Now, all these artists

start writing their own songs. All of singer-songwriters

appear like Shin Seunghun

Lee Seunghwan

Yoon Jongshin

TOY and more.

Boom. March 1992.

This dude named

Seo Taeji appears out of nowhere.

Well, actually he was in the aforementioned

rock band Sinawe as a bassist. But in the meantime he was doing his own thing.

And explores the world of midi music aka electronic/digital.

He's also a born rebel. He looks different. His crew dances like crazy.

His band Seotaeji and Kids release an album called

Yo! Taeji with a title song called "I Know".

They just sweep

all the existing awards out there.

Similar groups like Deuce might be competitors.

Seotaeji and Kids with their songs and performances change

everything. Critics claim that 1992

is the most important year

for the Korean pop music industry.

He destroys genres like trot

ballad, and folk music.

They release four albums after

until 1996.

He mixed up hip hop and traditional music in

Hayeoga, he also likes techno and even uses

heavy metal rock in "Classroom Idea" criticizing the Korean education system.

And then the public suddenly tries to rewind

this song and thinks he's Satan or gay. They keep on tackling

social issues like reunification, the environment, drugs, and education. He's

basically the Tupac of kpop.

Speaking of Tupac, he even touched

gangster rap in his last album title,

"Come Back Home."

And then they disband,

more like disappear.

Poof! Yep. Just like that,

leaving one message.

"We've showed you everything we can try."

Korea freaks out.

Kids don't go to school,

protests, suicide.

People say kpop is dead. Well, false alarm.

Seotaeji and Kids might be gone, but their impact still lives.

Now listening to the radio equals lame, on the other hand,

watching TV, performances, dance choreography,

style, competition equals cool. Young teenage fans, official fan

clubs, fan meetings,

fanfiction, sasaeng fans (ew), fan wars

capital, artist management. It was like a cult, and Seotaeji and kids were their

"Idol". On the side, the tornado fans from "I Know"

was the first dance choreo that went "viral".

Now corporations see money in kpop and idol businesses.

Samsung, Doosan, Hyundai, LG, Daewoo, Lotte, all make their record

companies and labels. Competition beings. Huge investments flow

from their mother company. Ambitious scouting projects, new market,

but no system yet. Expenses overshoot,

no transparency, business is based on a few intercircle connections,

Result? (failure) But then there's DSP.

The founder Lee Hoyeon had some actual

experience managing big artists like Tae Jinah

You Yeoul, Shim Shin and Sobangcha.

Sobangcha was actually close to an idol group

way before Seo Taeji and Kids in 1987,

however their music was more trot based

and had very simple dances.

Not as impactful an idol group

like Seo Taeji and Kids.

Anyways,

Hoyeon, who had the experience,

makes his own label DSP

in 1991. It wasn't very successful in the Seo Taeji era.

Then, in 1996, he launches a group literally called

Idol. Initially it had some decent popularity, but it gets demolished by

S.M entertainment, H.O.T.

1996, and H.O.T debuts.

They had rap and fashionable hairstyles.

H.O.T is made by today's famous S.M entertainment.

Founded by Lee Soo Man, in short, SM, starts as SM studio in 1989.

Then reforms into SM entertainment in 1995.

SM develops a systematic idol training system and

earns huge success, with H.O.T.

DSP gets mad.

1997 they throw out Sechs Kids.

SM activates the trap card.

Girl group S.E.S debuts in December 1997.

~singing~

And then DSP says,

well actually no, IMF says,

everyone hold your fire. Korea will be entering the economic

crisis. People lose jobs,

businesses go bankrupt, half of the

entertainment labels shut down, TV music programs get canceled,

people are struggling. They're jumping off bridges.

So they aren't really cool with or interested about idols.

Until 1998 comes

SM lied and said the show must go on.

Pop artist Shinhwa

DSP says hold my beer and presents to you FIN.K.L (finkle)

At this point, SM and

DSP are rivals like Marvel and DC Comics of this era.

H.O.T versus Sechs Kies,

S.E.S versus FIN.K.L,

SINHWA versus god.

Well god was actually produced by a

third company called JYP

and wasn't actually a typical dance idol

group but I'll get to that later.

Each company and group shares the trophies and awards

around music shows, turn after turn,

and of course on the way there were other groups

like Baby VOX, Chakra, Cleo

and talented solo artists like

Yoo Seung Jun, Park Jiyoon, and (that guy) as well.

Looking back, we now call this era

the first generation of Kpop.

Meanwhile you might be wondering whatever happened

to Seo Taeji and the Boys after they disbanded.

I don't know about Seo Taeji himself, but one dude for sure was planning something.

Yang Hyun Suk was the rapper and dancer of Seo Taeji and Boys

and was trying out his talent as a producer.

But was kinda unlucky in the meantime.

But anyways, opened up his own company, Hyun Label, in 1996.

He kinda flopped with a group called Keep Six.

Then he renames his company to MF Label and launches the label called Junior Fusion.

Junior Fusion did pretty well although hip hop was pretty new.

Yang Hyun Suk was well-known to have an influence and background

in hip hop

dance and music. He was spotted in town dancing

all the time before his debut days.

So this background successfully

allowed him to reform his company into

YG entertainment

and launched another hip hop group called 1TYM

~music~

First generation of kpop was sparked by Seo Taeji and Boys

everything got systematic, like the training systems and all.

Groups with crazy hair, crazy fashion, and dance music

Kpop's still kinda strange, new,

but popular with the public.

kinda still trying to imitate American pop,

while corporate labels died with the IMF crisis,

labels with professional music backgrounds

become big, like DSP, SM, and YG.

It was the opening, a door to the new era,

to the 21st century :)

The second generation begins

Wait--says 1.5 gen.

On the conversion to second gen, there is a transition stage

Surprisingly, a lot of solo artists who do R&B, ballads, or rock become

super popular.

Sung Shikyung

Heesung, VIBE, MC the Max, Buzz, the Cross,

and SG Wannabe. Then where did Kpop go?

Well many talented

solos were there to bridge the transition. V, or famous

BOA, known as Asia's star, arguably the most successful

solo female kpop artist in history. From

SM entertainment. Casted by Lee Soo Man himself, and debuted

at August 2000. Also debuted in Japan,

critics stated that

"Boa is one of the biggest contributors and a pioneer in opening foreign markets for Kpop and SM.

BOA gets all these first, youngest, most (blah blah blah) titles and

rewrites kpop history.

Other solo artists also kept the kpop flame burning with

competition

such as Rain and Seven.

Speaking of Rain, let's get back to JYP.

Park Jinyoung, aka JYP, is this dude who was active during the Seo Taeji era as well.

Initially he got numerous refusals from labels due to his weird face and body but

finally debuts in 1994 as a solo artist.

The tale is, SM himself rejects JYP

from an audition, but

later asked in private because he wanted to buy the songs JYP produced.

JYP is extremely talented in dancing and also being sexy

which was a first for a male at that time.

He won many awards during that era, even with Seo Taeji

and Kids. He became a famous singer-songwriter and producer

with songs like Honey and Swing Baby.

With that experience, he goes on as a producer

producing "g o d", a nations group, and

and excavates Park Jeum, who sang Adult Ceremony, also produced by JYP.

And in the midst of that, he makes his company, JYP entertainment.

Back to Rain.

Rain was a backup dancer of JYP and Park Jeum,

JYP trained Rain and debuted him, also

giving many hit songs like How to Avoid the Sun and

It's Raining.

~sssssSSSS AH~

~sssssSSSS HAH~

BOA from SM, Rain from JYP,

Se7en from YG. This is when we start to see the big companies grow

and become the now known big three

of Kpop. SM, JYP, YG.

Another fun fact about the 1.5 generation is that...

solo artists tried their luck after disbanding from the first generation.

like Kang Ta (HOT), Bada (SES), Ok Joohyun (FIN.KI), Eun Jiwon (Sechs Kies).

However, to be honest, their popularity wasn't like before.

Except maybe Lee Hyori,

former FIN.KI member who was least popular among the members, but suddenly

pops up with a sexy solo debut and becomes

Korea's diva. Finally, it's second gen.

The idol groups are back.

And the public is used to the word, idol. SM

entertainment introduces TVXQ in 2004.

They get the rookie awards, actually, all the awards,

gets a daesang in their second debut year,

and gets a Grand Slam in 2006.

Another Grand Slam in 2008.

Au contraire is number one in Japan,

it's not a stretch to say they basically conquered Korea,

Japan, and China. SM

got rich. They make more groups

like Super Junior in 2005.

Girls' Generation in 2007, Shinee and f(x) in 2009.

Super Junior

becomes extremely popular with songs like

Sorry Sorry in China and Southeast Asia.

Girls' Generation becomes the nation's girl group with

their stunning visuals and charming songs like

Kissing You and Baby Baby.

They don't stop in Korea. They go on to conquer Japan, with their songs Gee, Genie

and Oh!

Bringing all those titles from Japan's charts and albums

sales. Shinee puts out super addictive songs, like

Juliet, Ring Ding Dong ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°), Lucifer,

and achieves attention from mostly Japan and Southeast Asia.

Eventually touring around all these areas.

f(x) shows the experimental side of SM,

they carry a unique concept with all their songs

and obscure lyrics. Their unique electronic songs get very positive

reactions from professional music

critics. And then we start to see non korean members.

Such as Victoria,

and Amber.

With all these groups, SM is now

all over Asia, now, SM might be big,

but no group can rival TVXQ.

Here comes a BIG group.

Big Bang.

B to the I to the (bam bam)

B to the I to the (bam bam)

Big Bang from YG entertainment is a little different.

Debuted in 2006 with five members from a real survival program

conducted by

Yang Hyunsuk himself,

Big Bang places its roots into hip hop.

In 2007, they released their EP,

Always, with the song Lies.

This song was so big that

this made them escalate to the top immediately.

Then major hit songs after hit songs like

Last Farewell, Haru Haru, Red Sunset, made them the unquestionable number one in Korea.

They go on doing solo awards in Japan activities,

world tours, sweep awards,

it's pointless to list their achievements.

They go on in their career with mega-hits like

Blue, Fantastic Baby, Loser, Bang Bang

Big Bang becomes the most popular, influential,

listened to group.

No male boy group can rival them

except maybe early TVXQ.

The big point that differentiated them

that the general public including men

loved and sang most of their hit songs.

Big Bang's leader, G-Dragon, produced

most of these mega-hit songs, not

to mention a successful solo work,

and was Korea's biggest trend, fashion, and music icon

to this day. So

who is Girl's Generation rival then?

In YG entertainment, probably 2NE1.

The four member group debuted

in 2009 with a

very different concept, a strong

female image. They release mega-hits like Fire,

I Don't Care, Go Away, Lonely, I Am The Best,

They were the best. Ranked as one of best kpop groups

of the past decade by Billboard,

A female group that finally offered

an alternative group from the traditional pretty,

cutesy, girl group sterotype.

Girls' Generation and 2NE1 were

rivals in style because they were so different

however the two groups were huge

and probably the most successful girl groups in second gen kpop history.

Speaking of girl groups,

we have to go back to JYP,

because JYP is known as the girl group 'Royal Company'

Wonder Girls was among one, debuted in 2007,

put out major hits like Tell Me, So Hot and Nobody, which were all viral hits

within the nation and Asia.

Due to the simple and catchy point dances.

In 2008, they went to the higher Seoul Music Awards and received their first daesang

as a girl group

competing with Big Band and TVXQ.

Before Girls' Generation got extremely popular

they had the nation's Girl Group title in 2007,

and 2008. Their style was distinct

compared to Girls Generation in '21, because it was mostly electro pop or electro funk.

Wonder Girls were the first to appear on an American TV show

showing the possibilities of expansion of Kpop into the West.

Nobody by the Wonder Girls was the first song to enter the Billboard Top 100

chart. On the other hand, JYP puts out boy groups like 2PM

and 2AM who were

respectively the monster idol concept

and the ballad prince concept. 2PM does it especially well with songs like 10/10

Again and Again and Heartbeat. They are becoming a sensation in Korea

and Japan.

Here we see Nich Khun, a member of 2PM from Thailand.

Showing that kpop is surely expanded from China and Japan.

So it might be safe to say that the second generation of Japan

was loved by the mentioned groups.

There are other groups, such as FORMAIN,

made a strong impact and shift

in the concept of girl groups. Then there's

Para, produced by DSB,

who were known as big competitors

to Wonder Girls and Girls' Generation.

Japan went crazy over them.

Everyone knew their songs and choreographies

like step and mister.

But can we move on the third gen? Well, maybe, yes.

or maybe no. Some people draw the line by ten years,

As in 2000-2010. Some

experts draw the line by the sudden inflation

and saturation of groups.

A lot of groups started to pop up, like

~starts rapping names~

For girl groups,

~starts rapping names~

So the groups that debuted in the late 2000s

and early 2010.

Are tricky to catagorize.

Plus from this point on please don't hate me for not doing in-depth with every group or some of them because that change the title of this video to Kpop History Explained in 200 Minutes.

But if we were to say there was a dominant group

of this transition era, it's EXO (hell yeah)

EXO debuts in 2012 and

with two groups, Exo-M and Exo-K

another experimental approach with SM trying to

divide and expand markets.

Anyways, EXO wins, tops, and grows.

China is basically EXO's.

EXO has the biggest and also the most notorious fandom in Korea.

That's how much people love EXO.

They put out hit after hit like

Growl, Overdose, Call Me Baby, Monster, Lotto.

Their only rival might be the still yet hugely successful

Big Bang.

And then they slowly open the doors

to 3rd gen.

Now these are some of the characteristics of the 3rd generation of Kpop.

One, mass inflation and red ocean of idols,

a saturated market. Two,

globalization as a norm, catching a global audience is a

must. Three,

idol and audition survival programs.

Because of the red ocean of idols, naturally the mass

public begins to dislike idols due to a lack of creativity over

overlapping concepts, inexhaustion of idols,

This is when the public starts

to divide the term idol with artist.

Any major TV audition program

that has become popular looking for real

talents and singers of vocals rather than visually appealing

dance-based idols

that only get to sing a few seconds in one song.

Well, this what the public thought at that time.

I know there are exceptions among idols too.

Oh yeah, in the meantime in 2012, the world

had viral hits. PSY - Gangnam style happened

getting the once most viewed

video on the planet. Thanks

to its addictive, hilarious, dance, and beat.

It got a number two on the BillBoard Hot 100.

This is basically the first time the entire world notices a country called South Korea

and Kpop without having to mention nukes and (this dude).

And that's North Korea, by the way.

The third gen, despite the influx of idol groups,

the only ones that survive are groups that have amazing

music quality or musical talent

or something different.

Because the Korean market is so small and saturated,

it now becomes the norm to have at least more than one

global English speaking member

in the group. This member

is usually in charge of speaking during overseas interviews

and tours. Not only member-wise, but

marketing and music-wise

the attempts become more globalized too.

Testing out new markets such as South America.

In the meantime, the public and entertainment companies

want a system

to get the best quality idols out there.

And that is by following the TV trend

by making TV audition survival programs

with worldwide contestants.

This systems allows idols to gain

publicity even before debut and also

verify popularity and talent.

Although audition programs such as Produce 101

to produce "X" have been extremely popular,

it got caught in a corruption and manipulation

issue recently

which likely put out the credibility and support for these survival programs.

Now to name a few groups that are leading the 3rd generation currently,

definitely the girl group Trinity,

Twice, Blackpink, Red Velvet. JYP's

girl group Twice has earned the absent girl group title

since Girls' Generation

along with major hit songs that dominated Korea and Japan

mostly like "Cheer Up", "TT", "Knock Knock", "Likey", and "Fancy."

Interestingly, these

girls were also the result of an audition program

called Sixteen.

YG's girl group company called Blackpink has the record of most

Youtube views, 15.6 million views in 24 hours,

with its "Kill This Love" music video topping

Ariana Grande. Their

music videos have this much views EACH.

Which saves my time on trying to explain and prove their popularity.

Also they're the highest charting female kpop group on Billboard Hot 100

and 200. Plus they have

a epic stage at Coachella too.

SM girl group Red Velvet might

not be as big as the former two in size,

but is always praised by the public and critics

for their unique sound and high quality songs.

High Magazine has highlighted their versatile

musical style and named them as one of the best

kpop groups. Billboard agreed too in 2019.

Fun fact, Red Velvet was the first kpop group

to perform

in North Korea and Kim Jung Un adjusted the

schedule to go see them.

Now let's try to leave out

many other talented, hardworking

girl groups such as Mamamoo, Momoland, Loona, IZ*ONE,

(G)I-DLE, CLC, Dreamcatcher, G-Friend, LOVELYZ,

Oh My Girl, WJSN, GWSN, Everglow, Weki Meki,

and more. As for boy groups, it's hard to pick a definitive

popularity or impact but just to name a few,

Seventeen, NCT,

GOT7, Winner, iKON, Monstax, Ateez, Stray Kids,

are definitely the biggest and most popular

globally. Most of these groups actively go on

world tours and appear

on Western TV shows nowadays.

And then there are groups such as

VAV, Impact, Victon, Astro, Pentagon, SF9,

The Boyz, ACE, JBJ, Golden Child, IN2IT, UNB, VERIVERY, ONEUS

and more. So...many girl groups

boy groups, mixed groups, new global audience, thus

various music styles as well.

You name it, kpop has it.

Oh, you don't like groups that

produce modern electronic music,

maybe try IU out. She's Korea's nation sister and also

the nation's singer. She's been around since 2008 with

numerous ballad and kpop it songs.

She singlehandedly has the popularity of kpop's biggest idols.

Then there's k-hip hop and R&B, a whole scene of its own.

Maybe check out Zico, who has an overlapped background with kpop.

Then there's rock, maybe check bands like Day6, N.Flying, The Rose, and more. So

it's already 2020. Technically ten years after

it past again and the line is blurring

between third gen and fourth gen. Then

what would be the standards by dividing the generations? I

can't be the one deciding but just to add my personal

two cents but maybe the line can drawn by observing groups

that start off already

with a bigger fandom globally rather than

domestically in Korea from the

pre-debut and rookie phase.

In short, maybe no more validation or

dependence from Korean fans needed

OR, there's an alternative view of simply drawing the line by post-

BTS (hell yeah stan them). And yes, I know you all are screaming

wHaT, not a single mention of BTS until now

but hold on a little bit more.

And I have a whole buffet for you. While anyways this whole generation divide and process

is a whole debate subject of its own, so let's just leave it there and throw it to the comments section.

FINALLY, there is one group that needs a through

section in Kpop history (yaaass)

and it is

B

T

S. (omg stan)

BTS started off as a small company called Big Hit under the producer

named Bang Si Hyuk (bless him). Who was

a former colleague and good friend to JYP

but split past to make his own company. Bang

Si Hyuk gathered seven members (legends amrite)

originally for plans a hip hop group

however the concept and musical style

diversified over the years.

BTS didn't get much attention during their first years

often getting mocked for their group name

that means "Bullet Proof Boy Scouts".

And apparently some or many people thought

their appearances were unpretty. (haha MIC DROP BAM!)

However BTS differentiated themselves (yas Spring Day)

from other idols by speaking about the unspoken (N.O let's get it)

in their lyrics, such as mental health, youth problems, social issues (lol Spinebreaker)

and the journey towards loving oneself. BTS

also made their own universe and story (nuu jiminie)

in their music videos. They made

moderate success until they got mainstream

with their songs like I Need U, Dope, Save Me, and Fire.

(GO SUGA)

stan BTS ya'll -- they make good music

After that every move they made pretty much became history

They topped the Billboard Top 200 four times (hell yeah)

in a row alongside the Beatles,

appeared multiple times on major American TV shows,

got awarded by the Billboard Music Awards

AMA, multiple times, did

a Grammys act, did a UN speech (Namjoon for president)

did a cover of Times, had stadium world tours

including Wembley and Saudi Arabia

sold over 20 million cumulative albums to this date.

BTS has become so big that

they've been expressed as the BTS or Korean invasion just

like the British invasion by the Beatles by multiple

critics and journalists.

Many point out that it's even more significant regarding

the fact that BTS's music (ouu Boys in Love) and lyrics were not in English

but in Korean. (yeah we stan talented bois)

They also started out as underdogs in the Kpop industry in Seoul

struggling without the support of big capital norm media.

In the meantime there might have been attempts to compete

with BTS. For example

SM making their own Avengers by combining members from

existing successful groups

like SHINEE, EXO, NCT into a collaborative

single group called SuperM. While

they did get the number one on Billboard 200,

but many people criticized the method of bundling

issues in the process. However industry wise

it was a fresh attempt that never happened before in Kpop history

trying to officially combine members

from different groups into one

with an agenda to make

success in the American and global market. And

it is these new attempts that

fuel Kpop to go further on. Anyways, back to BTS

as it's probably not an overstatement to say that BTS

is probably bigger than all of kpop combined at this point. (go TaeTae!)

However, from Seo Taeji to BTS,

many groups existed. And

everytime, records were broken. People were surprised. Back

then, no one imagined

anything bigger than TVXQ, Girls' Generation, Big Bang, EXO, Gangnam Style.

But here we are. Kpop

is still evolving. The market is getting bigger and it's becoming more well known all around the world.

So, it's definitely going to be interesting to see what

happens in the future of kpop.

Will it just disappear as a trend (i hope not lol),

or get even bigger, like it always has?

Thanks for watching ya'll~