K-Pop on the rise

When you think of music gigs, seldom does one imagine a group grooving to the beats of K-pop. This music genre is originally from South Korea, and is characterised by a wide variety of audio-visual elements. 

While the genre has seen popularity internationally with even western artists openly applauding it, closer home, it is still a rarity. Madhu Gudi, a marketing professional based in the city, is organising a K-pop listening evening, to bring the genre’s enthusiasts under one roof. The plan is to host a listening session for popular K-pop band Beyond The Scene (BTS)’s latest album Her. 

Sharing some details about the evening, Madhu says that it is less of a listening session and more of a party. “BTS’s latest mini-album Her is dropping on September 18. We are inviting anyone and everyone to unwind and groove to their music,” she explains. The two-hour event will have themed drinks, games and also a photo booth, Madhu adds. 

She is hosting the evening along with her best friend Madhura Rumde, an artist manager, who is also a fan of the genre. Madhu, a marketing manager, recalls, “I have always loved watching Japanese animation, and Korean horror movies.” 

Madhu Gudi

Interestingly, the numbers are strong with the genre the world over. One search on YouTube and you are greeted with K-pop music videos with over millions of views and thousands of likes. Even as K-pop has built itself a huge following throughout the world, Madhu points out that the genre has become a part of India’s playlist only recently. “East Asian art is so popular that even western shows and music have drawn inspirations from there,” she says. Inspirations and influences are along the lines of the music, the choreography and the production value. “But even though India is almost a neighbour, the influence isn’t reflected in our art here,” says Madhu. 

Avni Sinha, a student of psychology and a “die hard fan of K-pop”, agrees. “I know a lot of people who are fascinated by the music genre and the bands, but very few openly talk about it,” she says. Avni laughs recalling how she just happened to meet a fellow K-pop fan when music just  played on her phone, accidentally. Adding that she has been listening to K-pop for over two years now, Avni says that ever since she got to know about the programme, she hasn’t stopped raving about it. “The minute I discovered it, I signed up for the event. It isn’t every day that a K-pop listening session is organised in the city,” she says, excitedly. “I cannot wait to go there, jam, meet fellow fans, and discover new artists.”

But why has the growth of the genre in India been so slow? Riddhi Chakraborty, a writer and a fan, explains that it is possibly the combined effect of colours and choreography in this genre that most people find intimidating. “I got interested in K-pop with the very popular Psy’s Gangnam Style — the song that was a gateway to K-pop for most people,” she says. 

Madhura Rumde

What Riddhi finds most captivating about the genre is how it hides symbolism in its music videos. “You needn’t understand the language in order to understand the song. The visuals are so strong that one doesn’t need to rely on lyrics like the West does.”

To someone fairly new to the scene, general opinion is that K-pop is bubblegum music, and really childish. But considering how there are multiple aspects to the music, she urges people to try it out. “There is a lot of potential to the music that new listeners can discover,” she adds. 

Madhu says that one of their aims is to host people curious about the genre. “We are open to BTS fans, but also people who want to know more about K-pop. What better place to discover something new than among fan,” she smiles.

On September 24, 4 pm onwards, At Brewbot, Andheri (W) Contact 39698091