How and why I fell for K-pop

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Myrtle Iris Villaraza

Photos = Korea.net, YouTube, Facebook

I tried to resist it at first, but I failed, and I’m glad I did!

Are you a fan of any K-pop group? Have you always been a fan, or were you a late bloomer, like me?

When the Philippines was hit by the "Korean Wave" in the early 2000s -- that growth in popularity of Korean pop music, TV shows and movies across East Asia and elsewhere -- I was first exposed to Korean soap operas, like "Autumn in My Heart" (가을동화) and "Full House" (풀하우스). I loved them, along with their sound tracks. Several years later, I tried to dance and sing along to K-pop songs, like 2NE1's “Fire,” the Wonder Girls' “Nobody” and U-Kiss' “Binggeul.” However, for some reason, I didn't fall for any specific K-pop group. Years later, there was one group that I got particularly interested in, but only for some time. It was an indie rock band, Kiha and the Faces (장기하와 얼굴들). I liked them because of their refreshing style and candid songs and music videos, like “A Sort of Relationship” (그렇고 그런 사이).

'Full House' is one of the first Korean soap operas that I loved. (KBS) 

The Wonder Girls’ hit 'Nobody' becomes really popular in the Philippines in 2009. (Wondergirls Youtube Channel)

Then I had the opportunity to work in Korea from March 2013 to February 2014. During that period, I could have enjoyed lots of K-pop: music albums, merchandise like light sticks, shirts, calendars and pins, to name a few, and even the chance to watch some K-pop groups live! However, I didn't think of these back then because I wasn’t a K-pop fan yet.

So imagine my regret when I only became a K-pop fan when I was no longer in Korea. Being a K-pop fan just feels a bit more difficult when one is outside Korea. For one thing, there are usually no fan meet-and-greets held internationally. Thankfully, we can still update ourselves about K-pop through websites and on social media.

It had been about a month since I came back to the Philippines when my older sister kept trying to make me watch and listen to CN Blue (씨엔블루), a pop-rock band that she discovered through the soap opera "Heartstrings" (넌 내게 반했어). Many times, I tried to avoid her attempts, partly because I tend to be lazy when it comes to watching video clips, and partly because I wasn't that much into K-pop. Sometimes, I would only listen and watch a bit; just enough so as not to hurt her feelings.

The pop-rock group CN Blue is quite popular in the Philippines. (CN Blue Facebook Page)

Then one day my sister showed me a video of Min Hyuk, one of the members of CN Blue, singing the song "Star" (별). She told me that, "I think you'll like him," explaining that he seemed like my type. True enough, I did like Minhyuk! 

That was how I began stepping further into the world of K-pop. I started to learn more about CN Blue by watching its videos and listening to its songs. Of course, I learned to like the other members of the group as well: Yong Hwa, Jong Hyun, and Jung Shin. CN Blue is composed of four adorable and manly members who all play instruments. They make awesome rock and pop music, such as this: 

CN Blue's 'I’m Sorry'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p3cKsDCA0Y

Then one day, my sister was a fan of another K-pop artist, G Dragon, or "GD," from the hip-hop sensation Big Bang (빅뱅). She showed me his videos, trying to make me see how cool he is. I resisted the temptation again because I felt I should be loyal to CN Blue, and I didn't want to divide my attention.

However, my sister succeeded again. I don't know how, but she managed to get me to watch a clip of G-Dragon's appearance on "Weekly Idol" (주간 아이돌), a variety talk show. Before I knew it, I had already finished the whole episode, which was about one hour long. I loved it!

That was how I fell for G-Dragon. After some time and more songs and videos, my love for GD extended to Big Bang as a whole, with GD's fellow members Top, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri. 

The hip-hop sensation Big Bang is quite popular in the Philippines these days. (Big Bang Facebook Page)

Big Bang is a complete package, as all the members sing and dance very well. They make great music, too. While they also have songs with slow melodies, they are more commonly known for their songs that are upbeat and fun, like this one: 

Big Bang's 'Bang Bang Bang'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxqjsXjSKPk

Months later, my sister found another K-pop boy group and introduced it to me, BTS (방탄소년단). They are sometimes called the "Bangtan Sonyeondan," the "Bangtan Boys," or even the "Bulletproof Boy Scouts." This time, my resistance was the strongest because the members were so young, ranging from 18- to 23-years-old at the time. I was 24-years-old then, which meant that I would practically be a noona older sister to them.

The pop group BTS is quite popular in the Philippines these days. (BTS Facebook Page)

However, then my sister showed me a video that led me to like BTS. In the video, which was filmed when the boys were still newbies, each member was told to show his "talents" while alone inside a moving elevator. The members of BTS thought they were filming for a show. However, it was actually a prank. In the middle of each member's "talent show," a crying woman -- an accomplice, in on the joke -- would enter the elevator, to the member's surprise. It was an awkward situation, and the boys' reactions were so funny. However, out of the seven members, only one seemed to express concern for the sobbing woman, Jin. He asked her if something sad had happened, to which she replied, "I broke up with my boyfriend." Jin's kind gesture melted my heart, and I instantly became fond of him.

Since then, I have watched more BTS videos and listened to their songs. The group wowed me with its songs and outstanding choreography, like this: 

BTS’ 'Dope'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVwAVbKYYeM

In no time, I've come to love the entire group BTS, including Rapmonster, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. This charming group is so talented, producing music that spans different genres, such as hip-hop, pop, R&B, electronica, ballads and even reggae.

Now I have a total of three favorite K-pop groups: CN Blue, Big Bang and BTS. It's so fun to watch and listen to them, from their songs and music videos, to their behind-the-scenes clips, dance practices, videos made for fans, TV show appearances, and more. I've also memorized some of their songs. By doing all of this, I appreciate them more and I feel like I'm getting to know them more. These boys never fail to cheer me up with their music and personality. They also inspire me, especially since they are already very accomplished at a young age. I just "Can't Stop" myself from falling more and more in love with these three K-pop groups! Each member is a "Fantastic Baby" who can make my every day feel like a "Spring Day." 

Someday, I'll watch them perform live. Of course, I want to meet them in person, too! Actually, BTS came to the Philippines in May for its BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings tour, with a concert in Manila. Sadly, I wasn't able to attend their concert, but I'll make sure to watch them live someday!

I’m so thankful to my sister for introducing CN Blue, Big Bang and BTS to me, because liking K-pop has helped me further expand my love of music. It has also made my life a whole lot happier because being a fan is pure happiness and inspiration!

What's your K-pop story?

wisdom117@korea.kr

K-pop names from Greek mythology

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Alexandra Koltsara

Photos = Korea.net Flickr

Usually, K-pop groups choose very uncommon names. Have you ever wondered where the inspiration comes from? Sometimes it’s from very ancient sources, like the Greek language or Greek mythology. Unfortunately, most of the times the groups don’t even know it. Let’s start with some examples.

Exo: a trending force

The pop group Exo certainly doesn’t need an introduction. The name Exo is a shortened version of the word "exoplanet." An exoplanet is a planet that's out of our solar system. 

Where's the Greek influence in this example? It’s in the etymology of the word. Exo is a prefix meaning “outer” or “external” in the Greek language: έξω (éksō). Also, the word πλανήτης (planítis, “planet”) comes from the ancient phrase “πλανῆτεςἀστέρες” (planítes astéres), which means "a wandering star."

Astro: a super rookie group

The refreshing six-member rookie group Astro chose its name from the Spanish language, where astro means "star," while wanting to become stars in everyone’s hearts. 

If you take a deeper look at the word, you’ll realize that its origins are ancient Greek and that the word is used as it is nowadays: άστρο (ástro), a “celestial body.”

Using the word astro as a prefix, you get all the famous English words that everybody knows. For example, astronomy, astrology, astronaut and astrophysics. If we analyze the word astronaut we see that it’s from astro- and –naut -- or ναύτης, náftis, meaning “sailor" or "seaman” -- so we get to the conclusion that an astronaut is a sailor of stars or of the universe.

Pentagon: a charismatic rookie

According to the very recently debuted 10-member group Pentagon, their group name expresses their desire to become the greatest group with five qualities: singing and rapping, dancing, teamwork, talent and their minds. 

The group chose their name very wisely because the etymology of pentagon comes from the ancient Greek word πεντάγωνον, or pentágōnon, meaning “five-angled”: πέντε, pénte, or “five,” and γωνία, gōnía, or “corner" or "angle.” So a thumbs up to whoever gave them that name. 

Vixx: a group that can pull off any concept

The multi-talented six-member group Vixx has both cute and dark concepts, and for sure executed everything great so far. Not to mention the project Vixx 2016 Conception that is themed around gods and demigods of Greek mythology: Zelos, Hades, Kratos and Ker.

According to the group, "Vixx" stands for "Voice, Visual, Value in Excelsis." The phrase in excelsis means “in the highest degree” in Latin. However, the Latin language took that word from the Greek word ὑψίστοις, hypsístis, or “the highest.” 

Alphabat: the brightest new group

The group Alphabat named itself to show off its diverse and attractive qualities, like the letters in the English alphabet from A to Z, while -bat stands for Batman, because they want to become heroes and protect their fans. 

Their stage names are B:eta (Β, βήτα, “beta”), E:psilon (Ε, έψιλον, “epsilon”), G:amma (Γ, γάμμα, “gamma”), H:eta (Η, ήτα, “eta”) and K:appa (Κ, κάππα “kappa”), all from the Greek alphabet. 

Even the word alphabet itself derives from the first two letters Α (alpha) and Β (beta) of the Greek alphabet, and has been used ever since the 700s B.C.

wisdom117@korea.kr