Why “The K-Pop Blob”?
Perhaps, for some of you, the term
might sound derogatory, or implying that I am trying to view K-pop
and the Hallyu in general as something negative.
Not at all! I freaking LOVE the Hallyu
(also known as the “Korean Wave”)... if I could, I would
literally surf on it on a board :D
As a science-fiction fan (as well as a
huge k-pop fan) I think “The Blob” is one of the most iconic
science-fiction movies of all times and The Blob itself is one of the
coolest “monsters” to ever being created by human imagination.
Well then, you might ask, what does
this have to do with the Hallyu? As you might know, “Hallyu”
(lit. “the Korean flow”) is a neologism that refers to the
steadily increase of popularity of Korean culture throughout the
whole world, starting mainly in Asia, but now spreading into other
continents as well. This does not only mean K-pop music, but also
TV-dramas (the Korean counterparts to US soap operas, in a way), the
Korean language, cuisine, technology, movies and animation, comics,
etc...
So, in a way the Hallyu is like “The Blob”, “swallowing up the world” with its immense popularity. I know I was “swallowed” by it. When I discovered K-pop (one day I will tell my story) I was... mesmerized... in a short time it had a huge influence on me. I am sure I am not alone in this experience. Many (western) k-pop/dramas fans I have met recall a very similar experience: they discover k-pop music (or perhaps k-dramas) and are immediately strongly drawn in by it.
Going on an etymological
tangent, note that the word “monster” itself, although
it means “horrible creature” today, originally it comes from the
Latin “monstrum” which meant both an “oddity” but also
a “prodigy”, a “marvel”, a “portent”... which are terms
that certainly applies to the Hallyu. It is an “oddity”,
originating from a foreign culture most people are unfamiliar with,
but it is also something marvelous, prodigious.
Indeed the Hallyu
also appears as the Blob was described in the original movie poster:
“Indescribable...” “Indestructible!” “Nothing Can Stop
It!”. Indeed looking at the magnificence of the Hallyu one does
indeed get this feeling.
Also it draws the fans to take
interest in Korean culture, hence it does not stop to simply
listening to music or watching movies or dramas, but it can be an
enriching experience that leaves you open to a whole new world,
especially if you are from non-East Asian countries, hence your
culture is relatively far removed from the Korean culture.
That's why this blog is called the
K-pop Blob. Of course I will try to write also about other subjects
on Korean culture, not only focusing on music. Of course dealing with
K-pop itself it is often dealing with the whole Korean culture as
well, if you scratch the surface.
Also yeah... blog, blob... haha
Also yeah... blog, blob... haha
I really hope you will find pleasure in
reading this blog.
Thank you!
Good bye!
감사합니다!
안녕히가세요!
(PS: yes I also love the Korean
Language!)
