What To Know
- With K-pop, Mandopop, and J-pop rising to prominence in the world music industry, the dynamic and varied East Asian pop music scene has enchanted listeners all over the globe.
- East Asian pop, with its distinctive combination of traditional and contemporary elements, is set to become a major player in the music industry in the coming years.
With K-pop, Mandopop, and J-pop rising to prominence in the world music industry, the dynamic and varied East Asian pop music scene has enchanted listeners all over the globe. Have you ever, though, pondered the origins of these musical styles? This article will take you on a musical adventure through the years, covering the origins, development, and evolution of three popular genres: K-pop, Mandopop, and J-pop.
How Pop Music from East Asia Began
After World War II, East Asia went through a golden age of cultural exchange and fast modernization. Rock & roll, jazz, and folk music from the United States and Europe started to permeate local music scenes. The rise of Western-influenced pop music in Japan gave rise to the “J-pop” genre, which features the likes of Chiemi Eri and Izumi Yukimura.
Musical styles like Korean folk rock and trot emerged in Korea in the 1950s and 1960s, before “K-pop” came along. Lee Mi-ja and Kim Wan-sun were influential in K-pop and helped pave the way for subsequent generations of stars.
The Ascent of Idol Society
East Asian pop music took a major turn in the 1970s and 1980s. Japanese talent agencies such as Johnny & Associates and Akimoto Yasushi’s AKB48 project formalized the idol system, producing a steady stream of artificially talented pop stars.
In the 1980s, Korean pop groups such as Sobangcha and Koyote became household names, marking the beginning of the first generation of K-pop. Companies like SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment rose to prominence in Korea’s music industry after they adopted the idol system popular in Japan.
Modern Technology and the Spread of East Asian Pop
The Internet and social media revolutionized music promotion and consumption in the 2000s, marking the beginning of the digital age. Pop music from East Asia started to gain popularity around the world, thanks to artists like Ayumi Hamasaki of Japan and Seo Taiji and Boys of Korea.
Mandopop, a style of Mandarin Chinese pop music, became popular in Taiwan in the 1990s thanks to performers like Jay Chou and Wang Leehom. Stars from the Mandopop subgenre, such as Faye Wong and Eason Chan, would go on to become the most popular musicians in China.
The Ascent of East Asian Pop and the K-pop Explosion
The 2000s saw the explosion of Korean pop music (K-pop) into the international arena, marking a pivotal moment for East Asian pop music. Globally, groups such as BTS, Blackpink, and EXO reached new heights of success, dominating charts and shattering records.
Perfume of Japan and G.E.M. of Taiwan both achieved worldwide fame during this time, contributing to a revival in J-pop and Mandopop as a whole. During this decade, East Asian pop became an international phenomenon thanks to its distinctive fusion of dance, fashion, and music.
What Does the Future Hold?
East Asian pop music is undergoing a period of tremendous change and diversity as we approach the 1920s. Artists from all over the area are becoming famous all over the world thanks to the proliferation of social media and streaming services. Pop music from East Asia is more dynamic and varied than ever before, with styles ranging from polished, modern K-pop to soulful, ballad melodies in Mandopop and eclectic, avant-garde styles in J-pop.
East Asian pop music’s future is brighter than it has ever been before, thanks to the genre’s ongoing growth and maturation. East Asian pop, with its distinctive combination of traditional and contemporary elements, is set to become a major player in the music industry in the coming years.
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