Quick Rant 2 | Views on Kpop from an International Standpoint

Miranda Rodriquez

First Posted | 5/7/19 | 10:21 PM PST

Quick Rant 2 | Views on Kpop from an International Standpoint [Media/Non-Kpopers]

NOTE: This is NOT to bash any groups mentioned in this post. This is a rant about how I feel the media is not accurately covering what Hallyu truly is, and is instead using it to bolster themselves. Some even diving in without any knowledge whatsoever.

Okay, lets get this started. I love BTS as much as the next person, but as a fan, I sometimes think that maybe the media is putting too much on their shoulders. To me, the current view of Kpop through international eyes is a copy of what we true Kpoppers faced a few years back when PSY’s “Gangnam Style” started trended worldwide. All of a sudden new “Kpop fans” arose claiming they were one of us, but knew only one thing . . . how to mimic a dance. This went on for a little over a year before thankfully dying down and releasing us of those insincere fans.

I’m NOT saying that PSY didn’t open doors to real fans, but many more fake ones appeared than I could stand. Currently, BTS is the one in the spotlight, though luckily there seems to be more questions of interest than false fans already taking their claim to the boys. However, it is the medias turn to be annoying! The international media I’ve noticed now assume any male Kpop group in existence that travels to their country (mainly in the US), is BTS. Take poor NCT and Lay. They collaborated with Jason Derulo, but some media networks claimed they were all part of BTS. When BlackPink and MonstaX did interviews, many questions became “so what do you think about BTS?” With some (NOT all) interviewers not even having any research done at all, about Kpop in general, excluding who they are interviewing at the time.

I do not think that uneducated people (in terms of K-Knowledge) should be in charge of interviews or story coverage. I do not believe that by looking up a profile, they should feel like they know who they are interviewing. Before the media tries to use an artist to boost their own views, they should consider learning the basics. K-Pop 101 I call it. Basics like Hallyu, companies, training, positions, etc. Simply research that would helped them better understand fans. Reading a blog or forum would help as well. No cheesy falseness.

Agree? Disagree? Leave your feedback in the comments!