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:
View this video on YouTube
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.
This means that bands can may completely change their hair color, fashion and concept frequently.
Pictured above: BIGBANG's visual concept during their "Alive" period.
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.
Idols also endorse specific brands by wearing their clothes in magazine shoots, music videos, interviews, in social media posts, and as part of their "airport fashion."
Pictured above: 2NE1's leader CL is known to wear Jeremy Scott's designs on the red carpet.
K-pop agencies film multiple music videos for each new album. Video concepts range from serious and mature to bubbly and flirty.
Many K-pop music videos have at least 3-4 wardrobe and set changes.
Pictured above: the four different looks and sets of Girls' Generation's "I Got A Boy" music video.
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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.
Most of these archetypes also apply to female groups.
Pictured above: five members of Super Junior from their music video "Mr. Simple."
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.
Leader Examples: G-Dragon (BIGBANG), Zico (Block B), Suho (EXO)
Main Vocalist Examples: Xia Junsu (JYJ), Jonghyun (SHINee), Jung Yonghwa (CNBLUE)
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.
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Maknae Examples: Sehun (EXO), Zelo (BAP), Yoon Sanha (ASTRO), Taemin (SHINee)
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.
Visual Examples: Jaejoong (JYJ), Minho (SHINee), Siwon (Super Junior)
4D Examples: Eric (Shinhwa), Yesung (Super Junior), Kiseop (U-KISS)
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.
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Main Dancer Examples: Taeyang (BIGBANG), Eunhyuk (Super Junior), Yunho (TVXQ)
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.
Rapper Examples: Rap Monster (BTS), Zico (Block B), T.O.P (BIGBANG)
Foreigner Examples: Bobby (iKON) grew up in Virginia, USA; Nichkhun (2PM) is from Thailand & the U.S., Jackson (GOT7) is from Hong Kong
This video was produced in association with the Haikus With Hotties 2016 Calendar which will feature Eugene's K-pop transformation!
The calendar also features Godfrey Gao, Freddie Wong, Dante Basco, Yen Chen, Randall Park, and Chris Dinh.
All proceeds go to the KoreAm Audrey Foundation, supporting Asian American journalism and Asian Americans in entertainment.
