the essential
In recent years, a musical phenomenon from South Korea has literally conquered the world, and Toulouse is no exception. K-pop, with its iconic groups like BTS, Seventeen and Blackpink, is attracting more and more fans. Testimonials from a group of enthusiasts in Toulouse.
At first glance, Marie and Gaston don’t seem to have much in common. But by discovering them a little more, the student and her 9-year-old brother share the same passion: K-pop. “I discovered this universe a bit by chance when I was in first grade. I was always attracted to boy bands like One Direction, then one day, BTS released songs in English, like Dynamite and Butter” , explains Marie. These songs then opened the door to a world that she did not yet know: “I dug and I found other groups who sang in Korean this time,” she says.
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As for Gaston, it was first of all out of mimicry and the desire to do something with his sister that he became interested in it. “I always had my headphones in my ears, so it was quite complicated to do something with me, while he was very demanding. One day, I had the idea of making him listen to my music”, adds Marie. “It’s even me now who introduces him to new groups. And every evening, when we call, I ask him if there’s anything new about the Idols (K-pop stars, editor’s note). My favorites are the Seventeen!”, says Gaston. Over the years, Marie seems to have created a “mini-fan” to the point that her entire room is plastered with posters.
A unique industry
One of the specificities of K-pop lies in the multifaceted aspect of the artists. For Marie, this goes well beyond simple music. “There are personalities, very complex choreographies, videos on YouTube… K-pop artists create a very strong bond with their audience,” she says, referring to groups like Seventeen, whom she appreciates for their humor and their authenticity. As for BTS, she admires their more global approach: “They try to touch the world with their music but also with themselves by putting themselves on stage in shows.”
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But the student also recognizes the other side of the decor. She remains aware of the very high and sometimes toxic beauty standards that the industry imposes on artists: “I remember one time when Hwasa, an Idol, couldn’t join a group because she weighed more than 48 kg! “
But this aspect remains quite minimal in the minds of fans. The evolution of K-pop in France reflects a growing interest in Korean culture as a whole. As Marie points out, her attraction to music led her to discover K-dramas and to take a closer interest in the country’s culture.
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