Kpop Fandoms and Idol Culture
with Kpop Sociology 💜
Whether you’re new to Kpop or already a devoted fandom member, you’ll enjoy this episode! Kpop Sociology and I chat about how Kpop and fandom is a unifying force that fosters genuine connection, gives a voice to people discontent with their reality, and makes people feel like they belong.
Kpop Sociology shares what it was like growing up in South Korea, the difference between Kpop in the 90s-00s and now, how content and entertainment is created for global consumption, and how artists are moving toward authenticity. We touch on the grueling training process, a concern for idols’ mental health, and why dating is a no-no in Kpop, in contrast to PR relationships in the US.
If you haven’t heard the song that first got me into Kpop, please do yourself a favor and listen to PARTY by Girls’ Generation:
Watch/listen: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Website
🛼 Haven’t You Heard?!
My fav things from the internet rn:
This week’s Nicstalgia guest Kpop Sociology, has an amazing YouTube channel that promotes the critical consumption of Kpop. The videos are short, sweet, and super easy to follow. My favorites are Kpop Generations Explained, Kpop Entertainment Companies, and Why SNSD is a Legend!
Magnolia Bakery partnered with first-gen YouTube sensation Liam Kyle Sullivan to remake the truly iconic and mega-viral “Muffins” video to celebrate the launch of their breakfast loaves. “Muffins” and “Shoes” truly had a hold on us in the 2000s, and I loved this use of nostalgia in their marketing.
I was featured in a recent piece for Ladies Get Paid, Here’s why you can’t miss out on the NFT, Web3, and crypto revolution. When I’m not producing the podcast, I’m exploring the intersection of pop culture, nostalgia, and web3. ICYMI, make sure to check out the Nicstalgia episode with Shirin from Crypto Witch Club!
I talk a lot about the concept of “nowstalgia”, aka. longing for a time that you didn’t experience firsthand. It goes by many names, like retro nostalgia, pseudo-nostalgia, compensatory re-consumption, or as I like to say, nostalgia the remix™️. My friends at Y Pulse call it “retro-gazing”, which I love. Their recent piece, Young consumers can’t stop “retro-gazing”—and brands are continuing to feed their nostalgia, is inspired by Fast Company’s recent The clever ways brands are tapping into Gen Z’s obsession with nostalgia article. It shares why Gen Z loves things of the past and brands that have (and haven’t) done nostalgic marketing well.
If you’re like me, then every time you hear the word ‘remix’ (including when you just read the paragraph above) you hear a hip hop air horn sound effect in your head. Berr-berr-berr-berrrrrr 📢 This short YouTube clip, The Origin of the Hip-Hop Air Horn, features the DJ who popularized the Jamaican dancehall-associated sound to become a staple in hip hop music.
⏮ Let’s Go Back….Back to the Beginning
A time capsule of this week:
In 2000, the truly iconic Britney Spears song Lucky was released. It’s sad how life imitates art here, but honestly, this is still one of the best pop songs of all time.
In 2006, John Tucker Must Die was released. I call John Tucker the original West Elm Caleb due to the fact that it’s literally the same story (dating several girls at once, not telling them, and then them teaming up to facilitate his ultimate demise). Oh how history repeats itself.
In 2010, Katy Perry’s forever-catchy song Teenage Dream was released. I absolutely loved the grandiose, over-the-top, confectionary dreamscape that was the 2011 California Dreams Tour. All I remember is that I had an insufferable sinus infection, therefore having little to no will to live, let alone scream Hot n Cold on the top of my lungs next to a bunch of 10 year olds and their moms. Best costumes I’ve ever seen on tour though!
💿 Hey Mr. DJ, put a [playlist] on
Playlist of the week:
BTS is a beautiful playlist that is a completely non-exhaustive list of some of my favorite songs by the prolific and globally influential Bangtan Sonyeondan 방탄소년단, aka. BTS. (FYI It does not stand for Behind The Scenes.)
You will hear me talk about how this band has absolutely changed my life for the better in this week’s podcast episode, but in case you have never heard BTS (or heard me talk about BTS or watched my TikToks about BTS lol), here are 5 songs from this playlist that you can get started with:
“Boy With Luv” (Feat. Halsey) 😍 🍭
Super playful, fun, and cute song about that phase where you are excited about someone new. Love Yourself is definitely my favorite BTS era.“MIC Drop” (Steve Aoki Remix) 🎤 🏆
Probably my favorite. This song is for all the haters. My favorite line translated: “You thought I was gonna fail but I'm fine, sorry.” 💀 I saw Steve Aoki DJ last month and I’m upset he didn’t play this.“Mikrokosmos” 🌠 ✨
So beautiful it makes me cry!!! This song is about togetherness and letting your light shine. This is a fan favorite at BTS concerts.“Spring Day” 🌸 🌿
Also makes me cry lol. It shows evolving or changing relationships in a positive light, equating it to changes in season despite missing someone or grieving their absence.“Burning Up (Fire)” 🔥 🧨
This is one of those pump up songs that has stadium-sized energy. Also the choreography to this is insane. I get tired just from watching lol.
🏆 Nicstalgia Trivia
Before the tech-enabled merch of today (i.e. ARMY Bombs, BTS’ fandom’s glowing LED light sticks that can connect with your phone and change colors), how did fandoms show their support for their idol?
Find the answer in this week’s episode of Nicstalgia!
Last Week’s Answer
What is the name of this infamous cartoon whose rude and insulting slogans were on t-shirts, stickers, notebooks, and literally anything/everything else you could think of at Hot Topic in the 2000s?
Happy Bunny, who ironically was not a happy bunny.
Watch last week’s episode, Hot Topic, Emo vs. Scene Kids, and Britney’s Personal Brand with Perry Goeders, on YouTube!
🧨 Spice Up Your Life
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