K-pop (케이팝), or Korean popular music, is a global entertainment phenomenon. Watch BuzzFeed's Eugene Lee Yang's K-pop music video debut as he's transformed into an entire Korean boy band:
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With more than a hundred new bands debuting each year, it's important for bands to refresh their image and have new songs on the music charts.
K-pop stars partner with several famous designers from Korea and overseas. These collaborations show a symbiotic relationship between artists and designers, and allow for a lot of experimentation in K-pop fashion.
K-pop agencies film multiple music videos for each new album. Video concepts range from serious and mature to bubbly and flirty.
The K-pop idol group system assigns particular roles to individual members that distinguish their talents. Not all K-pop groups contain the following types of members - these are just the ones that most commonly appear.
The Leader
• The Leader is often assigned to the eldest member in the group.
• It’s also not uncommon for groups to choose their leaders based on their level of maturity, charisma and responsibility.
• Often serving as the face of the group, leaders speak on the group’s behalf at press conferences and interviews.
• However, not all groups have a prominent leader.
• Unlike Western bands, leaders are not necessarily the Main Vocalist, or best singer, of the group.
• Main vocalists are sometimes second-in-command, and often sing the chorus. For larger bands like Super Junior and Girls’ Generation, there may be multiple lead vocalists.
• The Leader is often assigned to the eldest member in the group.
• It’s also not uncommon for groups to choose their leaders based on their level of maturity, charisma and responsibility.
• Often serving as the face of the group, leaders speak on the group’s behalf at press conferences and interviews.
• However, not all groups have a prominent leader.
• Unlike Western bands, leaders are not necessarily the Main Vocalist, or best singer, of the group.
• Main vocalists are sometimes second-in-command, and often sing the chorus. For larger bands like Super Junior and Girls’ Generation, there may be multiple lead vocalists.
• The Leader is often assigned to the eldest member in the group.
• It’s also not uncommon for groups to choose their leaders based on their level of maturity, charisma and responsibility.
• Often serving as the face of the group, leaders speak on the group’s behalf at press conferences and interviews.
• However, not all groups have a prominent leader.
• Unlike Western bands, leaders are not necessarily the Main Vocalist, or best singer, of the group.
• Main vocalists are sometimes second-in-command, and often sing the chorus. For larger bands like Super Junior and Girls’ Generation, there may be multiple lead vocalists.
The Maknae
• The youngest member of the group is called the “Maknae.” (막내)
• Maknaes typically have a baby face and are expected to perform “aegyo” (애교) or cute gestures.
• However, more maknaes are subverting this archetype by working out at the gym and pursuing solo activities.
• Some maknaes are as young as 14 when they debut.
• Some think that as they mature, they become one of the most charismatic members in the band.
• The youngest member of the group is called the “Maknae.” (막내)
• Maknaes typically have a baby face and are expected to perform “aegyo” (애교) or cute gestures.
• However, more maknaes are subverting this archetype by working out at the gym and pursuing solo activities.
• Some maknaes are as young as 14 when they debut.
• Some think that as they mature, they become one of the most charismatic members in the band.
• The youngest member of the group is called the “Maknae.” (막내)
• Maknaes typically have a baby face and are expected to perform “aegyo” (애교) or cute gestures.
• However, more maknaes are subverting this archetype by working out at the gym and pursuing solo activities.
• Some maknaes are as young as 14 when they debut.
• Some think that as they mature, they become one of the most charismatic members in the band.
The Visual
• The Visual is considered the most attractive member in the group.
• This member receives the most screen time in music videos and stands in the center for photoshoots.
• Responsible for publicizing the band, the Visual is often hired to endorse products, pose for fashion magazines and act in dramas.
• In boy bands, the Visual is often a "flower boy" (꽃미남) with a toned body.
• Alien or “4D” is a title that fans give to an idol with an eccentric personality. A 4D member makes bizarre comments in interviews and posts funny photos on social media.
• Ironically, many Visual members like BIGBANG’s TOP and JYJ’s Jaejoong have 4D personalities.
• The Visual is considered the most attractive member in the group.
• This member receives the most screen time in music videos and stands in the center for photoshoots.
• Responsible for publicizing the band, the Visual is often hired to endorse products, pose for fashion magazines and act in dramas.
• In boy bands, the Visual is often a "flower boy" (꽃미남) with a toned body.
• Alien or “4D” is a title that fans give to an idol with an eccentric personality. A 4D member makes bizarre comments in interviews and posts funny photos on social media.
• Ironically, many Visual members like BIGBANG’s TOP and JYJ’s Jaejoong have 4D personalities.
• The Visual is considered the most attractive member in the group.
• This member receives the most screen time in music videos and stands in the center for photoshoots.
• Responsible for publicizing the band, the Visual is often hired to endorse products, pose for fashion magazines and act in dramas.
• In boy bands, the Visual is often a "flower boy" (꽃미남) with a toned body.
• Alien or “4D” is a title that fans give to an idol with an eccentric personality. A 4D member makes bizarre comments in interviews and posts funny photos on social media.
• Ironically, many Visual members like BIGBANG’s TOP and JYJ’s Jaejoong have 4D personalities.
The Dancer
• Since K-pop is known for its sharp choreography, there’s at least one Main Dancer in an idol group.
• The main dancer typically stands front and center stage during group numbers.
• He/she may perform solo dances during live performances and collaborate with main dancers from other bands for music award shows.
• Dancers tend to be the most physically fit in their group. It’s common to see main dancers of boy bands perform shirtless.
• Many dancers and rappers seem to favor the b-boy style, which consists of graphic T-shirts, snapbacks, bandanas, slim-fit shorts, gold chains and sneakers.
• Since K-pop is known for its sharp choreography, there’s at least one Main Dancer in an idol group.
• The main dancer typically stands front and center stage during group numbers.
• He/she may perform solo dances during live performances and collaborate with main dancers from other bands for music award shows.
• Dancers tend to be the most physically fit in their group. It’s common to see main dancers of boy bands perform shirtless.
• Many dancers and rappers seem to favor the b-boy style, which consists of graphic T-shirts, snapbacks, bandanas, slim-fit shorts, gold chains and sneakers.
• Since K-pop is known for its sharp choreography, there’s at least one Main Dancer in an idol group.
• The main dancer typically stands front and center stage during group numbers.
• He/she may perform solo dances during live performances and collaborate with main dancers from other bands for music award shows.
• Dancers tend to be the most physically fit in their group. It’s common to see main dancers of boy bands perform shirtless.
• Many dancers and rappers seem to favor the b-boy style, which consists of graphic T-shirts, snapbacks, bandanas, slim-fit shorts, gold chains and sneakers.
The Rapper
• In the mid- to late ‘90s, many idol rappers were of Korean-American descent.
• As more Korean underground rappers incorporated their own culture into their rhymes, K-pop rap evolved and developed its own style.
• Now, many K-pop groups have a Rapper in the group, or members will take turns rapping in songs.
• Most idol rappers dress in b-boy clothing, but some are now sporting sleeker and more modern looks.
• Since K-pop is has a global audience, it’s not unusual for an idol group to have a member (the Foreigner) who is bilingual or hails from a different country.
• Depending on the foreign member’s fluency in Korean, he/she often serves as the band’s main rapper or dancer.
• The foreign member is usually Korean-American, Chinese, or South Asian.
• In the mid- to late ‘90s, many idol rappers were of Korean-American descent.
• As more Korean underground rappers incorporated their own culture into their rhymes, K-pop rap evolved and developed its own style.
• Now, many K-pop groups have a Rapper in the group, or members will take turns rapping in songs.
• Most idol rappers dress in b-boy clothing, but some are now sporting sleeker and more modern looks.
• Since K-pop is has a global audience, it’s not unusual for an idol group to have a member (the Foreigner) who is bilingual or hails from a different country.
• Depending on the foreign member’s fluency in Korean, he/she often serves as the band’s main rapper or dancer.
• The foreign member is usually Korean-American, Chinese, or South Asian.
• In the mid- to late ‘90s, many idol rappers were of Korean-American descent.
• As more Korean underground rappers incorporated their own culture into their rhymes, K-pop rap evolved and developed its own style.
• Now, many K-pop groups have a Rapper in the group, or members will take turns rapping in songs.
• Most idol rappers dress in b-boy clothing, but some are now sporting sleeker and more modern looks.
• Since K-pop is has a global audience, it’s not unusual for an idol group to have a member (the Foreigner) who is bilingual or hails from a different country.
• Depending on the foreign member’s fluency in Korean, he/she often serves as the band’s main rapper or dancer.
• The foreign member is usually Korean-American, Chinese, or South Asian.
This video was produced in association with the Haikus With Hotties 2016 Calendar which will feature Eugene's K-pop transformation!
