Before you bash or lash out in hate, I will say this. I have been listening to kpop for the past seven years and so far, I'm not happy about it. The only kpop artist who I see has true potential is Jay Park(he's already emerged in the culture and knows the fundamentals about the environment). And this is based off of my opinions and my observations of kpop over the years.

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Reasons why kpop will never reach a global stage:

1. The obvious language barrier that is crucial in navigating the American market, and it’s not enough that K-pop "idols" only know enough English to recite information on their career, hobbies, favorite Korean dishes, and recollections of memories. The lack of fluency creates the normal foreigner stereotype. The more K-pop artists  promote in America, the more interviews they will have to  give, and their lack of fluency will catch up to them eventually. 

2. Listeners crave authenticity and a level of creativity. The journeys artists go through in order to debut in Korea would be classified as manufactured and a bit abnormal to the American audiences. The idea of dozens upon dozens of novice performers being under separate major labels and going through years upon years of training, learning from the same set of vocals and dance instructors will sit well with an American audience that craves natural talent. The happiness of bubblegum will be derided as factory made.

3.  The unatural influx of groups debuting each year. Korean entertainment companies are so eager on debuting new boy or girl groups because they have historically been successful in bringing in a lot of money, but these entities have long passed their expiration dates in America. Crazy and controversial outfits, over the top concepts, and boundary-pushing content: America will take. But a bunch of boys and girls  with tons of makeup on, singing, dancing and dressing in-sync? That shall not settle well.

4. The fact that it will get old, boring, stale, and repetitive.

5. Kpop isn't really different from the pop music that is produced around the world. 

6. People aren't really fond of impossibly good looking individuals with no flaws. People prefer seeing flaws on musicians so if Korean idols are willing to try their luck then they should go for it. People do not wish to see 70% plastic and 20% human. They will find it hard building a strong fan base if people can't relate with their imperfection. 

7. Korean entertainment companies hardly accept Americans so what makes them think Americans will accept them and Korean artists think being American is just by learning the language and watching the shows which is not true. Trust me, I'm a foreigner who moved to America and that did not go so well when I tried it. Of course you should have some basic knowledge of the country which is not the case when it comes to Korean idols. Americans are about being free living and being able to laugh at yourself while Korean artist are trained as if they're being prepped to go to battle.

8. Indivuality and the ability to express yourself sticks out like a sore thumb.

9. To take part in art, may it be singing, dance, literature or visual art, you need sincerity, something that cannot be manufactured. And it's human nature for us to recognize a lack of sincerity, which is something Kpop has yet to realize. Humans are not robots: what you show on stage does not lie. And the way they move and the song alone shall not gain popularity. EXAMPLE: When I viewed TVXQ's new song, I did not get any overwhelming feelings. My heart didn't race like I had expected it to. I didn't get goosebumps or chills all over my body. I wasn't smiling like an idiot(like I used to before). 

9. The songs and lyrics are not powerful enough to be felt by its audience. The vocals are not intense nor are they sincere. They have so many things going on -electric guitars, synths, annoying screams- but everything is so stiff and over-rehearsed that it manages to every bit of emotion out of the song and its intended purpose. EXAMPLE: 2NE1, as shown by "I'm the best", is basically what everyone else in the kpop world wants to see: perfection. What they do not know is that it is okay not to be perfect. Would you rather have emotions that relate to your current situation or outstanding techniques with no purpose at all? Commercial success or beautiful artistery?

10. If they want any chance at international success, they will have to stop their obsession with keeping everything homogeneous. Most people know how racist and elitist Kpop is in general. They announce global auditions, then choose only the Asian auditioners!
Furthermore, how can they convince anybody that Kpop is for everyone, when international fans are turned down after making long pilgrimages to see their holy unnis and oppas? Turned away solely because they are not Korean or even Asian?!?

Take One Direction for example, they're considered an band because they are compromised of Zayn Malik(A pakistani anglo-English) and Niall Horan(an Irish lad). Each of them have their own individual sense of fashion and personality. And they do not try to conform to anything. People can relate to them on different levels. 

Kpop is now a circus and once their act is up, they will all be bundled up and tossed away.

I'll try not to be blunt but Kpop is going no where. It may be known by a lot of people around the world but it is no where near global domination!

If you liked this blog post, then please check out my other one: http://www.asianfanfics.com/blog/view/837152