Yoo Joseph
Asia Pacific International School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Abstract
K-pop, short for Korean Pop, is a genre of music that originated in 1996 in South Korea and is currently known for its combined singing-choreography performance. K-pop was initially consumed as an auditory form of entertainment, but after the recent influence of social media platforms focusing on visual content, the genre has recently shifted to a visual media. This change accelerated during the COVID-19 lockdown, where South Korean teenagers turned to social media as a form of social interaction. K-pop idols and their content focusing on visual media caused fans to mimic their appearance, fashion, and lifestyle. Over time, this led to a new standard of beauty in South Korean teenage culture, where physical features and style associated with idols are typically thought of as ideal. K-pop has since become one of the most influential forces for South Korean teenagers, reshaping traditional gender norms. Its impact demonstrates how social media-based pop culture can challenge and reform long-standing societal expectations..
