Kpop Fandoms and Idol Culture
with Kpop Sociology ๐
Whether youโre new to Kpop or already a devoted fandom member, youโll 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 idolsโ mental health, and why dating is a no-no in Kpop, in contrast to PR relationships in the US.
If you havenโt heard the song that first got me into Kpop, please do yourself a favor and listen to PARTY by Girlsโ Generation:
Watch/listen: YouTube โข Spotify โข Apple Podcasts โข Website
๐ผ Havenโt You Heard?!
My fav things from the internet rn:
This weekโs 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 โMuffinsโ video to celebrate the launch of their breakfast loaves. โMuffinsโ and โShoesโ 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, Hereโs why you canโt miss out on the NFT, Web3, and crypto revolution. When Iโm not producing the podcast, Iโm 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 โnowstalgiaโ, aka. longing for a time that you didnโt experience firsthand. It goes by many names, like retro nostalgia, pseudo-nostalgia, compensatory re-consumption, or as I like to say, nostalgia the remixโข๏ธ. My friends at Y Pulse call it โretro-gazingโ, which I love. Their recent piece, Young consumers canโt stop โretro-gazingโโand brands are continuing to feed their nostalgia, is inspired by Fast Companyโs recent The clever ways brands are tapping into Gen Zโs obsession with nostalgia article. It shares why Gen Z loves things of the past and brands that have (and havenโt) done nostalgic marketing well.
If youโre like me, then every time you hear the word โremixโ (including when you just read the paragraph above) you hear a hip hop air horn sound effect in your head. Berr-berr-berr-berrrrrr ๐ข 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.
โฎ Letโs Go Backโฆ.Back to the Beginning
A time capsule of this week:
In 2000, the truly iconic Britney Spears song Lucky was released. Itโs 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 itโs 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 Perryโs 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 Iโve ever seen on tour though!
๐ฟ 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 ๋ฐฉํ์๋
๋จ, 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 weekโs 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:
โBoy With Luvโ (Feat. Halsey) ๐ ๐ญ
Super playful, fun, and cute song about that phase where you are excited about someone new. Love Yourself is definitely my favorite BTS era.โMIC Dropโ (Steve Aoki Remix) ๐ค ๐
Probably my favorite. This song is for all the haters. My favorite line translated: โYou thought I was gonna fail but I'm fine, sorry.โ ๐ I saw Steve Aoki DJ last month and Iโm upset he didnโt play this.โMikrokosmosโ ๐ โจ
So beautiful it makes me cry!!! This song is about togetherness and letting your light shine. This is a fan favorite at BTS concerts.โSpring Dayโ ๐ธ ๐ฟ
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.โBurning Up (Fire)โ ๐ฅ ๐งจ
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.
๐ Nicstalgia Trivia
Before the tech-enabled merch of today (i.e. ARMY Bombs, BTSโ fandomโs 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 weekโs episode of Nicstalgia!
Last Weekโs 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 weekโs episode, Hot Topic, Emo vs. Scene Kids, and Britneyโs Personal Brand with Perry Goeders, on YouTube!
๐งจ Spice Up Your Life
Connect with Nic on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter
Watch and subscribe to the Nicstalgia podcast on YouTube
Watch, listen, follow, and rate the Nicstalgia podcast on Spotify
Listen, follow, review, and rate the Nicstalgia podcast on Apple Podcasts
Join the Buddy List: Become a paid member of this newsletter to receive bonus podcast episodes and more!