Some Fun New K-Variety

Hey Everyone!

One genre of Korean Entertainment that I really enjoy is the Variety/Reality shows.  They are so funny and I've "met" so many entertainers that I was unaware of before through them.  In fact, most of my favorite Kpop groups I became aware of because of their appearances on these shows. Whether they are short shows or full length episodes, KVariety is my Go-To when I want to smile, laugh, and relax. There are a few new shows that have begun recently and, so far, they are just a hoot! If you need a smile, I highly recommend checking out one of these:

GOT2DAY 2019  - This is the 4th Season of GOT7's GOT2DAY series and it's great to be able to watch the group just chat one on one with each other.  The episodes are short (around 10-12 minutes) and you get to see the fun personalities that all iGot7's know and love. You can find it on VLive and YouTube.


Matching Survival 1+1 - This is a dating game show and it seems to be constantly evolving since the first two episodes are quite different from that latter episodes. The current format is that several men and women enter a grocery store in the hopes of finding their love.  There are several rounds of games where partners are chosen based on choices made in the store.  At the end, they choose the person they want to be a couple with by asking if that person will "scan their barcode."  It's super cute and I'm enjoying it a lot.  You can find it on both Kocowa and Viki.

The Barber of Seville - Ok, honestly, this is not a show that I thought I'd like at first, but I am enjoying it so much.  Basically it follows 5 Korean Celebrities and a Master Hairstylist, and Master Barber as they set up shops in Seville, Spain.  The men run a barber shop and the women run a beauty salon, but they all share a large home as a living quarters.  As much as most Korean television makes me hungry...this show does the same for making me want to get my hair done.  For real...every time I watch I'm like, "I want to get a haircut!" So far there are only 2 episodes out and I'm looking forward to more.  This show can also be found on both Kocowa and Viki.


That's all for now. Till next time!!!

Why Do You Like K-Pop?

So, full disclosure, I am not anywhere near the demographic that the K-Pop Music World is trying to appeal to. I am a 43 year old American woman living in the middle of farm country. But I LOVE K-Pop.  I listen to very little in English anymore of any genre.  This is a bit odd for me because I've always been a huge fan of most kinds of music.  I've enjoyed Country, Pop, Classical, Blues, Disco, Rock and more over the years.  I was a Music Business major in college so I've even studied the production/advertising/legal side of the industry.  But KPop, for me, is the most fascinating genre of music I've ever seen. (I'm putting screen shots from my iTunes library throughout this post so you can get a sense of a few of the groups I listen to regularly. I'm sorry I couldn't put them all in, but there are at least some.)


Why?  That is the question I get most often.  Not always in words.  Most of the time is comes in the form of raised eyebrows and a confused look on the face of the person I'm talking to.  If you're a kid or teenager, people just nod and think, "What a cute phase they are in." But when you're a grown adult, somehow now you need to be able to defend what you like when what you like is different from what those around you enjoy.  So, What makes it not a just a phase I'm going through?  Here are a few reasons that I find it so appealing. Maybe you feel the same way. Let's find out.



1) SO MUCH TALENT
     I was talking to a friend the other day and I told them, I don't think it's possible to find an untalented Kpop group.  It simply doesn't exist.  Before they debut most of these artists have trained for years in their craft.  On top of singing, dancing, and rapping (which is the mandatory talent needed within every group), it's not at all uncommon to find out that various members also act, choreograph, direct, write, compose, and/or play other instruments.  When they perform, the precision is incredible and the fact that they can sing and dance such complex choreographies LIVE...well that's just beyond my comprehension. They are just THAT good.



2) POSITIVITY
     Now, I can't say that every single Kpop song is this way, but the majority of the songs that I listen to and the groups that I follow are very positive upbeat songs.  They make you feel happy.  They lift your spirit and make your feet want to dance.  It's quite literally music that makes me smile.  Even when the messages are deeper, more thought provoking, of a powerful ballad, I am often left in a better mood than when I turned on the music.



3) GOOD ROLE MODELS
     There are bad apples everywhere and in fact, there are some incredibly upsetting scandals right now in the Kpop world.  BUT, by and large, the members of K-Pop groups are good role models. Now granted, these groups are very often contracted to be good influences.  As in, it seems that it is in their contract that they are to be people that others can look up to. That being said, as we are seeing through the scandals, for some it might be an act...but I appreciate that MOST of them seem to be genuinely good people. People who care about their fans and take seriously that others are watching them and want to be like them.  It's a heavy burden for them to carry, but they do it well.

     As someone who has worked with children for around 20 years, I would look for artists here in the States who could be held up as good examples for the kids and when I would find one, I'd be thrilled and do all I could to promote them...only to often have that same artist decide a little down the road that they didn't want to be a role model and actively choose to be someone or make choices that the children SHOULDN'T emulate. It was heartbreaking...and it happened more than once.


     I love that if I recommend a group to a teenager or child, that if they (or their parents) look up that group, they are generally going to find people that show respect to elders, take care of those younger than themselves, look out for the modesty of the people around them, show kindness to everyone and appreciate the celebrity that they have, but continue to be humble. It's such a breath of fresh air.


Finally, let me say that I know the world of     K-Pop is far from perfect.  There are industry issues, issues with how artists are treated...just all sorts of issues.  No one is saying that it is a perfect place.  There is room for improvement...lots of room.  But even so, it's a world that brings joy to so many of us and one that we are so glad others are beginning to notice as well.