Over the years, the K-pop industry has evolved from being a niche-specific interest, to a dynamic cultural movement, heavily fueled by the emergence of stellar performance-oriented groups including BTS, Bigbang, 2ne1, Seventeen, Mamamoo and NCT – and the legacy has been upheld by the newer, fourth-generation K-pop groups, wherein the art of mainstream pop music seems to be gradually shifting towards a more performance-focused approach, with idols like Ateez, Itzy, Stray Kidz, The Boyz, Oneus, Loona, P1Harmony, Everglow and Enhypen at the forefront of leading this change. It is via the incorporation of these very building blocks, that a modest musical genre has succeeded in transcending the impediments of race, nationality, linguistics, age, gender and so forth, unifying listeners via a common love for God-tier, performance-centric, concept-driven artistry. To this, they add elements of intricately synchronized dance routines, unique storyline-driven cinematography, bold and experimental fashion statements, outstanding production and post-production touches, and finally, fan-interactive marketing strategies.
Today, the K-pop industry has developed into a revolutionary, worldwide sensation, owing to its quintessential blend of earworm vocal melodies and powerful raps, groovy beats and addictive rhythms. Rather than being reduced to just another rudimentary music bracket, K-pop is an art form in itself, wherein the artists’ performance quotient and stage presence are considered just as vital to their artistry, as their vocal and rapping prowess. The paradigm of ‘performance’ is one of the pivotal building blocks of every K-pop act, and it adds a momentous degree of impact to the cinematic audio-visual experience that the genre aims to provide.
Buy your copy with P1Harmony’s cover included inside the edition here. This cover story appears in Rolling Stone India’s K-Music Special Issue, on sale now.
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