Joseph Hwang In the 1980s, South Korea achieved democracy through a constitutional amendment that allowed direct presidential elections in response to civil resistance against military rule. This constitutional shift came at a significant cost, with ordinary citizens sacrificing their lives so that future generations could establish a nation grounded in their cherished values. Today, the older generation of South Koreans plays a pivotal role in this democratic legacy, as the freedoms and values they fought for have nurtured the global rise of K-pop. For this generation, protests are ingrained in their culture, yet they believe such actions should not be necessary. The term “martial law” is particularly sensitive for them, as they are acutely aware of the oppressive military dictatorships in South Korea’s history, where it was a tool for controlling dissent. Just hearing the phrase triggers memories of the violence that occurred during pro-democracy protests. However, on December 3, 202...
BLACKPINK member and solo artist Rosé’s new song “APT.” continues to gain popularity. “APT.” is short for ‘apartment’ and is pronounced in Korean in the song. This “apartment” is not a type of housing but a drinking game. The winner of this drinking game has to take one shot of alcohol as punishment, and Rosé says he was inspired to write the song after watching his foreign friends enjoy the game. Rosé borrowed the Korean chant from the game for the chorus of “APT.”
1. Mimicking
For popular music to be a hit, it must be aesthetically pleasing. In order to be a big hit, more is needed for the music to be beautiful; the public must be able to sing along to it. To make an impression on the audience, composers place short, repetitive melodies in their songs, called “hooking.” The hook should be distinctive and easy for the audience to follow. Repetitive hooks can make an impression on the audience in a short running time. The play chants we use in games fulfill most of these requirements. Whether she realized it or not, Rosé is a very clever composer. Once you listen to it, the hook will stick to your head for the rest of the day.
2. Bruno Mars
Rosé’s “APT.” gained wings when she collaborated with Bruno Mars. While Rosé’s original song had the DNA to be a hit, Bruno Mars’ funky production made it more accessible to the masses, which was an essential factor in the song’s success.
3. Play Culture
Play is about primal, visceral fun. You don’t need fancy playthings, and the rules are easy enough for an idiot to figure out. The desire to play is all that is to have fun. In fact, the simpler and more primitive the game, the more addictive it is and the more it resonates with the public. The structure of the game and the devices that trigger fun strongly connect to human instincts, and the effect of provoking fun is faithful.
Works based on the motif of peer group play have become global hits in K-pop and K-drama. The drama “Squid Game” is one of them. Perhaps the most valuable of the scarce values is “time that has already passed.” Whether it’s music or drama, the element of play can tell a story that resonates with the broadest possible audience. All humans want to play and want to relate. Popular Culture has a mission to satisfy that instinct vicariously. Rosé fulfills that mission.
4. Standing Alone
Rosé launched her career as a solo artist rather than as a member of BLACKPINK. She composes, performs, and produces her music and recordings. Few artists can successfully transition from group members to solo artists.
Above all, Rosé is humble. She admits her shortcomings and thanks her fans for their support. I consider this to be a good soil for her to develop further in the future. The element of play culture that resonates with the public contributes to this success. As a solo artist, as opposed to a group member, it’s important to redefine her identity and gain recognition from the public. Being an artist is a profession where anyone creates, expresses, and resonates with the public as a result. I see Rosé’s solo career as an essential test not only for K-pop but also for popular art. I evaluate that Rosé’s transformation itself has significant cultural value.
Comments