Tired of Your Current Music?- Why You Should Give Kpop a Try...

In today's society, it's difficult to find new and exciting music. Radio stations are still playing songs that came out five years ago, and you're likely to hear the same current hits three (or more) times in just one day. So what should you do if you want something new? More and more people are turning to the internet for the solution. The entertainment industry still determines what is "popular", but it by no means controls what people are actually listening to. Even so, many find the process of searching for new music a daunting task- after all, there are millions and millions of artists out there producing trillions of songs- where are you supposed to look?

For those people looking to try something new, I'd like to suggest Kpop.

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So what exactly IS Kpop? I'll put it simply- Kpop stands for Korean pop. Now, I know what you're thinking- "I don't speak Korean!" Well, let me tell you a little secret... I don't speak Korean either. Or any Asian language, as a matter of fact. Perhaps you've heard that music is a universal language. That's absolutely true! Music has the power to bring people of all languages and backgrounds together.

"That's all very well" you say. "But how am I supposed to enjoy a song if I can't even understand the words??" Well, fear not!!! There are a great deal of highly devoted fans who spend their free time translating news, lyrics, interviews and videos into English. It is surprisingly easy to find music videos and songs with English subs on youtube, or to look up the meaning of a song via Google! In fact, there are even fan-run subbing teams and wesites specifically created for this purpose.

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This video is by Masamixes, who specializes in mixing Kpop music together and with other music. This video is a compilation of 28 separate Kpop songs from 2009. Take a look at some of what you're missing!

The Top Six Reasons You Should Be Listening to Kpop

1. It's Different- Trying new things can be scary, and new music is no exception. It's inevitable that there will be things you like and things you don't. But for those people who are tired of hearing what seems to be the same music over and over again, Kpop presents a welcome opportunity!

2. It's Similar- Even the bravest among us sometimes find themselves weirded out because something is just too strange. Although Kpop is very different from what most of us are used to, there are still a great deal of similarities. People always tend to be more comfortable with the things they know, so Kpop is a good fit.

3. The Artists- Just like in every industry, the world of Kpop presents a wide variety of artists. You'll find everything from heart-wrenching ballads to fast dance tracks, from catchy bubble-gum pop that gets stuck in your head all day to Korean rock music. There are solo artists as well as groups, each with different strengths, weaknesses, personalities, specializations and images. Here you can find a 5-member all-male acapella dance group (DBSK), or a 9-member girl group (SNSD) and much, much more. The one thing they all seem to share in common is a strong work ethic, most likely due to the nature of Korean culture.

4. The Fans- For those of you who know nothing about the world of Kpop, a little heads-up: the fans are crazy. This is both in a good way and a bad way. As someone who was an "outsider" to this unique sub-culture (born and raised in America), I can say that I didn't expect what I found! Kpop fans tend to be extremely devoted to the artists and groups they like, and fandoms as a whole are very dedicated and hands-on. Many fans have expressed that they feel as though they are a part of something larger than themself. From my experience, Kpop fans are knowledgeable, always eager to help, always ready to spazz, and yes- crazy.

5. Korean Lyrics- Although many people consider the language barrier to be a drawback when it comes to Kpop, it does have its advantages. Many a time I've found myself enjoying a song, but apalled and perhaps even offended by the lyrics. Now that's not to say that Korean lyrics are any better- but at least you can enjoy the beautiful melody or rockin' beat without thinking that the lyricist should be shot.

6. A New Culture- What more is there to say? Discovering Kpop is like entering a new world for the first time. You won't just find new songs- you'll learn things about other cultures, meet new people from around the globe, and find yourself viewing things in a new light. Hey, you may not like it. But then again, you just might. Why not at least give it a try?

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Kpop is huge in Korea, but is also very popular all throughout Asia. In addition to that, many music fans from outside Asia are really beginning to take notice. Whatever the case, you're sure to find at least a few new songs to spice up your tired ipod.

Be sure to stay tuned for my suggestions as to the best artists, songs and performances, as well as info about the world of Kpop. Thanks for reading and please comment if you enjoyed the article or have any questions!