K-pop mania has taken over the world! Recently, K-pop has entered the top ten most-listened music genres on Spotify. “Kpop” is being searched more than 130,000 times a month in the United States alone. And the “K-pop quiz” 7,000 times, which is why you are here! The unique phenomenon of this music genre makes it as popular as other mainstream music genres. Who has not heard of groups such as BTS, Blackpink, or EXO? After all, these bands are currently breaking all kinds of listening records if we are talking about platforms such as YouTube or Spotify.
The Beginnings Of K-Pop
Before K-pop could become what it is now, it had to undergo a considerable transformation. It’s fair to say that the boys from BTS were fortunate to be recording these days. Because K-pop, as we know it today, a dozen or so years ago, was completely different. In the 1960s and 1970s, the only entertainment in South Korea was television programs with patriotic songs or on other topics, but only those that were allowed by censorship. The dictatorship was overthrown in the late 1970s, but it took South Korea a dozen more years to mature to where it is today.
A significant change took place only in 1992 when the “Seo Taiji and Boys” band performed a song called “Nan Arayo” (“I Know”) in one of the talent shows. The song and the whole group were modeled on the most popular bands from the west – Bestie Boys or Run DMC. As it quickly turned out, the music of Seo Taiji and Boys did not appeal to adults, while teenagers even fell in love with their music. The song mentioned above, “Nan Arayo” was an absolute hit – it topped all Korean charts, and Seo Taiji and Boys himself became the most popular K-pop group in the country. This was briefly the period when K-pop began to break out beyond South Korea and gain masses of fans, not only in Asia.
Where Did The Popularity Of K-Pop Come From?
Not long after Seo Taiji and Boys’ debut, K-pop began to develop dynamically. The phenomenon of K-Pop also went unnoticed by the then-South Korean authorities, who decided to make this music genre an export product. The entire South Korean elite, including businessmen, celebrities, and music producers, saw great potential in K-pop music. That is why today’s K-Pop looks like this – new music groups are emerging, and they are breaking records of popularity. Record companies have mastered the process of creating new supergroups to perfection.
What happened to Seo Taiji and Boys? Even though they ended their musical activities in 1996, they did not part with music. After all, the founder of YG Entertainment, one of the largest record companies in Korea, is none other than one of the members of the above-mentioned band.
Take The K-Pop Quiz
The history of K-pop is undoubtedly very interesting, and the fact that in such a short time, not more than 10-15 years, this music genre has risen to its heights is something amazing.
If you consider yourself the most dedicated K-Pop fan and know more bands than just BTS or Blackpink, then you can try your hand at the Kpop quiz. However, you must bear in mind that the questions will be about the very beginning of K-pop. In fact, the K-pop quiz will cover everything that has happened with K-pop over the decades up to the present day, when it reigns supreme on the charts. Ready?
