SeoulFire

So...I feel like a dumb American dumb right now. Not this dumb.

I was taking a break from writing the Aftermaths for “Shining Inheritance” which is necessary considering I get just a little too emotionally involved sometimes (And yes, I said AFTERMATHS. I’m going for a double release so look out!!), I came across this article from Shenyue @ ShenYuePop. After reading it, I have to say, I kind of feel like a stupid American right now.

Oh, Seoul, one day you and I will finally meet

ShenYue recently came back from a stay in Seoul (VERY jealous) and she reports that for all intents and purposes K-POP is, to use her wording, “dead”. That’s right. DEAD.

While we netizens may be dissecting every part of it, native Koreans could care less. This is not to say that I was dumb enough to think they planned they’re entire day around which SuJu member is dating whom or were having watercooler chats on whether Lee Min Ho looks better with straight hair or curly hair but to just not care at all baffles me.

It may be the fact that the English language sites available to us documenting any and all K-POP news make it seem like there is a substantial amount of native Koreans that are crawling over themselves to pick up the latest Korean music or watch the latest Korean drama but, as ShenYue reports, not so much. It’s mostly the tween demographic that fuels K-POP. In other words, the people dragging their parents to see Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, or whatever shiny new “product” Disney has presented to them are the same age group that are doing the same thing in Korea. People that are 18 years old and up could care less. They would much rather listen to what’s flowing out of OUR speakers. Or should I say whatever’s abusing our ears this week?

What's sad? This guy actually looks like one of my friends!! I know. Sexy.

I had noticed that the few Korean friends I have kind of go quiet when I bring up anything having to do with Korean pop culture. They more appreciate the fact that the “stupid American” took the time to pay attention to something other than what ’s in the “American bubble”. Of course, looking back this makes perfect sense to me. They basically reacted the same way we as Americans react when foreigners bring up anything having to do with American pop culture: we nod our heads as if to say, “Oh yeah. I heard about that.”, wait for the person to give their piece, we might add a few sentences about it, and then try to move on to something else. Not because we’re embarrassed but because it’s only entertainment. Jack Bauer will be back for another 24 hours if the ratings are good enough. The “Lost” cast will always be lost in some way, shape, or form. They’ll always be some new pop star with less than respectable talent trying to climb the charts with their new “smash hit”. Britney, Lindsay, Paris, etc will eventually get old and will be replaced by someone who is younger and even less talented (if that’s possible) on the cover of those tabloids you read but don’t buy at your local supermarket.

I say all this to say that I hope all of us can use our love for Korean pop culture (or any pop culture) as a gateway to learn about the beauty and history of Korea or any other parts of the world in order to create some kind of understanding that we as a nation have a tendency to lack in. We have to remember that, just like here, the life depicted on KDramas is not necessarily how another part of the world lives. Korean pop culture is considered the same way we consider most pop culture here: a fickle indulgence that is simply inconsequential compared to what’s truly important in life.

The irony is that many Korean acts are trying to make it big here. Good luck.

Don’t get me wrong, I dream of the day that Korean pop culture can somehow make it’s way into our neck of the woods. I cannot tell how you much I wish I could get paid to talk about KDramas all day but it’s always easier said than done. America as a whole is very similar to “Showtime at the Apollo”, if we see/hear something that we don’t like (or don’t understand) we make it known quickly and resoundingly. We Americans may be “stupid” but we’re not stupid enough to fall for anything you throw our way. Most of the time. We’re a hard crowd to please. Se7en can attest to this. 

We Americans wore Se7en out!! And not in a good way.

Ok. Reality check complete. Back to another “reality” called “Shining Inheritance”. See you soon!!