Kimchi fusion music

Life has been a little crazy lately so writing here (or anywhere else) has taken a back seat. Hopefully, I’ll get things sorted out by end of the month so I can announce a couple of exciting projects.

Steff mentioned that Singapore is experiencing a K Pop tsunami in Singapore. I couldn’t agree more. Since the Sundown Festival in 2009, K Pop acts have been on the increase. This year has just been plain ridiculous with a showcase/ concert/ fan meet happenning almost every other week,and occassionally even once a week. And it looks like this is going to continue all the way to 2012, with FT Island in January, Super Junior in February and Beast and CNBlue coming in the first quarter of the year. *shakes head*

But it’s not just the K Pop acts that have been coming in waves. Auditions to become the next K Pop star have been popping up as well. From the agencies, to TV channels to magazines and even shopping malls. At this rate, I think even the community centre in my neighbourhood estate will be organising an audition soon. And the auditions are no longer held in just Korea. China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and even Europe- the agencies are keen to expand their talent search in their bid to go global. Already some of the groups like 2PM, Miss A, Super Junior consist of members that are non- Koreans. And next year, Alpha Entertainment will debut the very first Korea/ Singaporean girl group. Whew! That would be a milestone for Singapore in terms of K Pop.

On top of that, existing groups have also increasingly come out with Japanese/ Chinese/ English versions of their title Korean songs in a bid to break into the market. Japan is of course an obvious choice due to a number of reasons- similarity of language, proximity of the 2 countries, the overwhelming interest in anything that’s Korean entertainment and most of all, the willingness of the Japanese fans to pay (yes, that is very, very important).

But with the Hallyu spreading globally, (think of SMTown in NY, France, Cube in England etc), agencies are keen to tap into the English market too. In the past, singers like Rain, Se7en, BoA would just pack up and go over to the US and release an entirely new English album that is catered to the English market taste. Success has been limited.

The new tactic now is to have a English/ Chinese version of the Korean song and launch the songs almost simultaneously.

This means the song will be accepted and become familiar by Koreans and all K Pop fans first. It will then be easier to launch the alternative versions in the other markets.

Sounds like a good plan right?

But I’m just thinking. Why do they need to compose a song that will work in both Korean and another language?

I fell in love with K Pop not understanding a single word (and I still don’t, beyond the 사랑해요, 가요, 기다리요). I enjoy watching the various music and variety shows and dramas. I’m sure it’s the same with Hallyu mad fans all over the world. That’s the amazing part about internet. But I do not only like K Pop (contrary to what everyone may think). I like Mando/ Chinese pop, Jazz, Blues, Classical and the oldies. I like them because they are different and offer different listening enjoyment. Each is unique in their own way. In fact, one of the highlight event for me for many years was WOMAD.

In their bid to have a hit that will work in the other market, many are now engaging famous foreign cheographer/ composer etc. But will it really work?

I don’t know.

If I wanted a salad, I’ll eat a salad. I’m not too keen on having a kimchi salad. I’m not much of a fusion person I’m afraid.

Jackie Chan made it to Hollywood playing essentially himself, speaking in heavily Chinese accented English.

Crouching Tiger/ Hidden Dragon (卧虎藏龙), a Chinese film was an international hit.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m all for globalisation and having multi-racial members which may bring some uniqueness to the group. In fact, it may be better as the other complaint I have is the cookie-cutter sameness for most of the singers/ group. I don’t even mind different versions of the songs. Sometimes, they work really well. But often, they either make me want to crawl under a blanket and cover my ears or I have strain my ears as I can’t understand a single word in a language that I do know.