Why I like Kpop.

Right, so I will admit that this is the first blog post I have ever written so don't go expecting too much. This isn't going to be the most cohesive one, to be honest, but I promise I am going to try and get better.

I was a hater of Kpop before last year, and it was mainly down to the stigma and the fans, however, this isn't specific to Kpop though as I have never been one to engage in fan culture. I never appear to be actively excited by things, as the others on this page will confirm. BUT, after looking past the mildly cult-ish behaviour, I see this community for just that, a community, a coming together of people of vastly different cultures that don't care who you are, what you look like or anything superficial because you share a love, a passion. That is something I find really fucking cool.

The first Korean band I listened to is ironically not the one that everyone and their Nan knows, (BTS), but Blackpink, I found their song ddu-du ddu-du through my mild obsession with mukbangs.

However, I had encountered artists that hail from South Korea before, that being BTS, or more specifically, RM. When I first said "Alright, hit me, show me what's up with this lot" I wasn't expecting to see a clip that I had cackled at before of RM getting frustrated with his fellow members' English skills (or lack thereof). This quickly made him someone that I could always look to if I needed a giggle, and the talent and pure compassion became a huge benefit. His personality shone through as one I could admire.

I think this is where I begin to differ slightly from some other fans (I'm edgy and different I know) I can like a band without liking their music, and will then like their music because I like them.

Now, that is not to say that I don't like the music that comes with the bands in kpop. I do. It makes up the majority of what I listen to these days. However, what I am saying is that the looks and what the music sounds like aren't always at the forefront of my mind. Sometimes it's finding someone with something to say. And I think, given the freedom and the chance these bands, and the solo artists can say something significant, whether it is through music or through the platform that they have. They give people a place to escape to, in the chants, being part of that unified voice, or screaming in broken Korean and dancing around their bedrooms, or in my case, their kitchen.

That's it for now, I know it jumped around a bit, I am not very good at focusing my thoughts, but I wanted to shed a small light into why I am now head first down the rabbit hole, why I like the music and why it has come to be such a big part of my life.