JewelKorea: K-Pop

Kpop is South Korean pop music.

History : Kpop began in 1885 when American missions taught Koreans American and British folk songs. The Western songs were sung with Korean lyrics and they became known as "changga." Changgas became widely popular in the early 1900's when Koreans, oppressed by the Japanese rule, sang to express their opposition towards the rule. During this time period, Korean changgas evolved and became what is known today as Korean trot. Trots became immensely popular among the Koreans.

After the liberation from Japanese government and the end of the Korean War, American pop came into the Korean peninsula, influencing Korean trot. Westernized trots were popular in armies and attracted attention from many Koreans. Korean artists began to arise and some gained international popularity, such as the Kim Sisters.

In the 1970's, music became something that was fun for the Koreans. Before, Koreans sang music as they went through oppression and war. Now Koreans, mostly college students, were following American hippie styles to entertain themselves. Many artists with unique styles became well known during this period.

In the 1980's, ballad singers arose.

The songs of 1990's in Korea incorporated American rap, rock, and techno. Seo Taiji and Boys turned the history of Kpop upside down as their rap lyrics talked about problems of Korean society. Their revolutionary songs took the audience by storms. Seo Taiji and Boys forever influenced the Korean music industry. The audience changed from college students to teenagers.

Also in the 1990's, Lee Sooman founded Korea's largest talent agency and record label, SM Entertainment. YG, JYP, and FNC followed afterwards. They produced idol-groups for teenage girls and boys. H.O.T of SM became the first idol boy group.

In the twenty-first century, the Hallyu (Korean) Wave spread Kpop to other parts of the world.

Kpop Artists Most Well-Known in America: (Top Five)

1. Psy (artist)