See The Future of Kpop with Korean Robot
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You can call Korean music many things, but certainly, “boring” isn’t one of them. From the birth of a group to the journey it takes before it releases its first single, fans are enthralled and restless for the wait. And they should be. Look at any Kpop star hard enough and you'll see the tears and sweat he or she poured into his or her work. Some are of the opinion, though, that more had been spent on the superficial things.
There are those that criticize the stick-thin, all glammed-up idols that make their way into mass media, with many commenting that these artists are more figurines than actual people. They say that these stars offer over-the-top styles, but serve no other purpose.
To answer these diatribes, here comes Korean Robot, the musical genius whose aim, other than to create good music, is to remind the world that there is more in K-pop than meets the eye. And he is donning a mask to let them find beauty in his tracks instead of in his face.
What called for his presence? Let’s take a look at history and see.
A History Lesson
The earliest samples of Korean songs are far from the colorful, glitzy and glamorous audiovisual acts we see today. These songs can be traced back to the early 19th century when American missionaries inadvertently promoted western music to the young and impressionable culture. Korea’s population embraced the musical influence, and soon, famous western songs were being sung with Korean lyrics. This kind of music, called changga, made it evident that Korea was willing to accept western musical influences but was also interested in injecting its own unique flavor into the mix.
So when western culture arrived in 1945, after the Japanese Occupation, it found a country that was thirsting for a fresh source of inspiration. South Korea’s culture thrived. The birth of the new government ushered in prosperity, welcoming all foreign affectations, and adapting new traits while still retaining its root identity.
East Meets West
The 1990s saw Korean popular music evolve into a successful fusion of ideas heavily inspired by western styles. The country’s genre-defining musicians were talented and crafty; rather than whitewashing the scene, they merged all popular musical styles and developed a unique take on rap, rock, techno, and bubblegum pop.
But Korea’s big break came in the 2000s when the use of social media grew exponentially. Corporate music groups capitalized on the opportunity by creating audio-visual packages and spreading them not just through traditional means, but also online, where fans did most of the promotion afterward.
This is the reason that Kpop now assumes a stance that heavily relies on face-value. As evidenced by the existence of K-pop boot camps, fans are so easily swayed into the direction of the prettiest face or most pleasing body, so much so that issues concerning Korean music diversity have begun to rise.
This is why, instead of prioritizing looks over content, Korean Robot decided to don a different helmet; he wants to remind the world that Kpop isn’t just about pretty faces, although he has one, or sexy dance moves, although he can move it. K-pop is about Korea’s unique music, influenced by its rich history, and moving forward into the future.
The Present
Detractors have a lot to say against Korean popular music, and even people behind the scenes of stardom agree to them. Viral media turned the once exciting and unpredictable scene into something that mainly promotes innovative fashion. But it is unfair to blame the artists, they are, after all, under terrible amounts of stress, and their managers and producers are only being swept by the crowd.
The sad truth is, everyone participated in the decline. The insatiable needs of millions of Kpop fans pushed producers to tailor their stars into commodities, and the stars themselves were blinded by the promise of it all so they allowed their abilities to be utilized only in the way that sells, and nothing more.
This toxic cycle gave birth to a highly efficient system that is too much like a military boot camp, albeit colored pink. The tracks produced are indeed loud and heart-thumping, but listening to them non-stop you’ll realize they follow a simple pattern, dismaying music lovers who wish to find more than just glamor in any music.
The Mask Reveals More Than It Obscures
Korean Robot himself came from such a background, being a producer for SM Entertainment, a Korean music powerhouse. Disillusioned by the generic tracks he heard and helped create every day, he set out on a creative journey to help everyone move on from the stagnant pool that is present Kpop.
He strives to produce truly creative music using the futuristic sounds of EDM but doesn’t stray too far from the present sounds. He is not ashamed of his K-pop roots; rather, he wishes for it to leave its paused state and evolve. The result? Amazing tracks that never fail to surprise with how much raw talent they contain.
His unique spin on common Kpop genres, mixed with his amazing hand at the synthesizer, fuses past, present, and future Korean sounds. And what made it easier to focus on the greatness of his music? His mask.
It is not a simple prop. With a nod to the Electronica duo Daft Punk, Korean Robot instigates the same musical revolution in his homeland, and this explosion of innovative audio is something to look forward to.
The Future
K-pop faces an uncertain future. But trust in Korean Robot to hack away generic sounds and revive the curious minds of Korean musicians and world listeners. Already he is spreading good vibes and good music through his media profiles. You only need to listen to a sample to realize that this guy, this robot, is indeed aiming for greatness.
And he’s not bad at dancing, too, inspiring everyone, including himself, to bust some cool moves to the beat of his unique music. Korean Robot jumps into the muddy scene and strives to clear a path for EDM Kpop, potentially one of the best music fusions of the year.
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