Since I was a little girl, music has played a massive role in my life. My parents raised my sister and me on various genres and artists from the ’70s, ’80s and other decades. If it was not for the stereo system and CD collection that sat in the living room of our first home, my sister and I would not be the music enthusiasts we are today. While we may not admit it, our parents turned us into “old souls.” We truly enjoy the emotions that music from different periods can bring.
Today, my music taste is widespread. If someone rummaged through my Spotify playlists, they would find a mix of Pop, R&B, Rock and even Broadway musicals. Yet there is one genre that has been put on a pedestal in my music playlists. Due to the immense power of my generation and the internet, it has been my personal favorite since early 2020 and is also what rekindled my passion for dance. This particular genre is Korean Pop, or K-Pop, as many refer to it.
For those who may not know a great deal about it, K-Pop is a music genre that originated in South Korea. Along with being a massive part of their culture, K-Pop is South Korean pop music. It combines different music styles with addictive melodies, complex choreography and even eye-catching fashion looks. The artists who help make up the genre are sometimes referred to as “idols” and can perform as soloists, duos, trios or in groups. To successfully debut in this powerful industry, they face rigorous training in vocals, dance and even in speaking different languages.
I was first introduced to K-Pop in 2019 with Red Velvet’s song “Russian Roulette.” A former high school classmate of mine is to thank. I fell in love with the girl group’s discography almost instanteously. Their ability to experiment with synth-pop, soft ballads, jazz and countless other music styles is what grabbed my attention. At the time, I was not as active in my dancing since I was no longer taking dance lessons at a studio. My life was not as consumed by dance as it used to be. Yet my eyes became glued to my phone screen as I soon watched and learned every step of Red Velvet’s performances of “Russian Roulette” on my own. With every move mastered, my excitement grew.
About a year after my introduction to K-Pop, I discovered more artists such as BTS, ITZY and TWICE. Along with enjoying their music and being filled with excitement at every new album, learning the choreography of their songs became a pastime and hobby. It was my body’s way of challenging itself with such intricate movements. It was my way of falling in love with the art of dance all over again. As most dancers do, I had moments where I was tempted to stop trying to master the choreographies of my favorite artists. K-Pop artists are known for their intense and difficult movements that are performed whilst singing. Learning them on one’s own or with others can be very tiresome and frustrating. Nevertheless, I continued to practice and remind myself that my only goal is to enjoy and feel the music.
Once my freshman year at Florida State University (FSU) began, I searched for various clubs to join. Overall, I was hoping to come across a dance group that shared the same passion for K-Pop as I do. Soon, I did! Not only did joining this group help me befriend other K-Pop fans and dancers, but it strengthened the bond I have with dance overall.
Today, K-Pop remains an immeasurable love of mine. While I have a love for countless other music genres, K-Pop continues to impress and amaze me every day. The artists behind it are talented, hardworking and inspiring. Because of their work, I developed an appreciation for South Korean culture as a whole and have been implementing dance into my life as much as possible. With the help of a former classmate who introduced me to a Red Velvet song on an ordinary school day, K-Pop has become a big interest of mine and my relationship with dance has blossomed.
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