K-pop is embracing English lyrics to appeal globally, sparking an identity shift. Industry seeks broader fanbase for financial success. New idol groups like RISE and Cat's Eye face challenges with English lyrics. Potential for a Blackpink BTS Super Bowl show excites fans.
K-pop industry shifting towards using more English lyrics to attract global audiences.
Challenges faced by K-pop industry include changing demographics in South Korea and geopolitical impacts on fan engagement.
Deep dives
Evolution of K-pop Lyrics
The podcast delves into the evolving trend of K-pop songs featuring more English lyrics instead of predominantly Korean. Bloomberg's analysis revealed that almost half of this year's K-pop songs showcased a majority of English lyrics, a notable shift in the industry. The move towards more English lyrics is intentional to attract a broader global audience, especially in regions like the US and Southeast Asia. This transition raises questions about the essence of K-pop identity when English becomes a dominant language in the music.
Challenges and Innovations in K-pop Industry
The podcast highlights the challenges faced by the K-pop industry, including shifting demographics in South Korea and political tensions impacting Chinese fan engagement. To sustain growth, K-pop is seeking radical transformations and expanding collaborations internationally, such as BTS working with US producers. New K-pop groups like RISE and Cat's Eye are experimenting with English lyrics and global debuts, posing questions about maintaining Korean essence amidst global appeal.
Future Outlook and Ambitions of K-pop Industry
Looking ahead, the podcast explores the evolving aspirations of the K-pop industry, aiming for massive global success akin to top Western artists. The industry dreams of performing at prestigious events like the Super Bowl halftime show, showcasing the ambition to achieve mainstream Western recognition. Despite uncertainties surrounding new strategies, such as emphasizing English lyrics, K-pop envisions reaching new heights beyond traditional expectations.
Is K-pop even K-pop without the K? A Bloomberg analysis of song lyrics shows that for the first time, almost half of K-pop songs released this year have majority English lyrics.
On today’s podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks with Bloomberg reporter Sohee Kim about the genre’s identity shift and why industry efforts to grow its global audience might mean fewer Korean band members.