Kpop or Korean pop music has recently exploded in popularity, thanks in part to the success of groups like BTS and Blackpink. But Kpop is more than just these two groups. The genre is incredibly diverse, with artists exploring everything from ballads and R&B to hip hop and electronic music. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the diverse spectrum of Kpop music and explore some of the best artists and songs from each category.
Ballads
Ballads are one of the most popular types of Kpop music. These songs are often characterized by emotive vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and soaring choruses. Artists like IU and Lee Hi are masters of the ballad genre. IU, in particular, has had several hits with ballads like “Through the Night” and “Love Poem”. IU is popular in Korea. The size of the concert is also very large. The video below is the site of the national tour concert before Corona (2019)
Another noteworthy artist in this category is Baekhyun from the group EXO. His song “Un Village” is a beautiful example of a Kpop ballad. Besides this, there are too many ballad singers and songs representing Korea. Ballads with a calm atmosphere, such as Lim Chang-jung’s “A Glass of Soju“, Sung Si-kyung’s “On the Street” and Lee Moon-se’s “Old Love” are always good to listen to.
R&B
R&B is another popular genre within Kpop. While many Kpop groups dabble in R&B, there are also several solo artists who specialize in this type of music. Crush is one of the most prominent R&B artists in the Kpop scene. He’s known for his smooth vocals and soulful sound. Zion.T is another popular R&B artist who has collaborated with several Kpop groups on their songs. Taeyeon, the lead singer of Girls’ Generation, is also known for her R&B-influenced solo work.
Both Crush and Zion.T seem to be close to hip hop R&B. Kim Jo-han is an indispensable singer when talking about R&B in Korea. He debuted as an idol called Solid and has been active as a solo R&B singer since then. If you listen to “Holding the End of the Night” released during solid activities, you will know right away.
Hip Hop
Drunken Tiger is an indispensable singer when talking about hip-hop in Korea. He can be said to be the first generation hip-hop artist in Korea. Having been active in the early 2000s, he also showed himself at the top of the public TV ranking program with hip-hop. His wife Yoon Mi-rae is also a female rapper representing Korea. (Singing very well.) Couples work together and do their own activities. The name of the team we work with is “MFBTY”.
And YG Entertainment, one of Korea’s leading agencies, is famous for producing many hip-hop idols. BLACKPINK, Back Bang, 2NE1, WINNER, and iKON are all from YG. YG CEO Yang Hyun-suk said in an interview that the most important thing when auditioning for idols is “hip hop.” Personally, I don’t like YG that much, but I think I’m good at hip-hop.
Electronic Music
Electronic music is a more recent addition to the Kpop scene but has quickly become a popular sub-genre among fans. Artists like DEAN specialize in the electronic sound, fusing it with R&B and pop elements. GFRIEND’s “Apple” and LOONA’s “So What” are examples of Kpop songs that infuse electronic beats into their music.
In Korea, there seems to be a strong perception that EDM is music heard in clubs. Sometimes idols sing their songs arranged in EDM.
Conclusion
Kpop is more than just catchy hooks and colorful music videos. It’s a genre that spans a diverse spectrum of styles and sounds. From ballads and R&B to hip hop and electronic music, there’s something for everyone within the Kpop scene. Whether you’re a fan of BTS or looking to explore something new within the genre, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of Kpop.