Forgotten heroes of K-pop return to primetime glory

Overshadowed by idols sporting pretty faces, fancy dances and snappy tunes, veteran South Korean vocalists have long taken a backseat in mainstream media, allowing teenage stars to define the country's popular music making a splash around the world.

The scene began to transform when a local broadcasting station cast a group of seven singers, all proven and tested, earlier this year and pitted them against one another in an American Idol-inspired survival contest served up in a reality show format.

"Survival: I'm a singer," which aired on MBC every Sunday evening, soon became the talk of the town and jolted viewers into questioning what their ears have been used to: music that makes up for a lack of singing talent by offering colorful stage choreography.

"For a very long time, everyone always thought, 'Well, you know, the only thing that's successful is idol music, really poppy music,'" Lena Park, a contestant on the show who has released seven albums here since debuting in 1998, said in a telephone interview.

"People are remembering the music that moved them before," the 36-year-old Korean-American R&B singer said, adding the boom in popularity for seasoned singers like herself has given the concept of live concerts "a new renaissance meaning."

Even though the show is a boon for many of her colleagues -- most of whom have sung professionally for at least a decade -- it can mean a big loss of face if they are eliminated by a 500-strong voting audience made up of people from all walks of life.

A singer with the least votes bows out every few weeks. The very first contestant to be eliminated was Kim Kun-mo, who is dubbed "the nation's singer" and has won numerous awards since debuting in 1992.

"With pride and fame at stake, each singer prepares their performance like it's a life-and-death issue," Won Man-sik, chief producer, said as he cited the reason behind the success of his show, whose ratings have risen about 50 percent since the first run.

The show, in which the contestants are supposed to pick songs that are not their own, is also rattling music download charts and racking up hits on YouTube, pet venues for Hallyu, or Korean Wave, stars that are changing the landscape of global music industries.

"The old timers on our show are a testament that Korean pop music comes from a deeper pool of talent and experience.

Insights revealed: South Korean Music - justletmeknow

South Korean Music

I don’t know any other people who love listening to music and singing a song like South Korean. South Korean is usually spending their leisure time in Noraebang, which literally means “Singing Room”. They sets great store by their singing skills. Having good singing skill gives them great opportunities and advantages in their social lives. Men and women of all ages in South Korea enjoy music every day. Nevertheless, unfortunately, South Koreans are listening to music originated from the western culture. As you might know, South Korea has experienced harsh time in 20th century. They underwent the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War. These tragic experiences had destroyed everything in this small country including many traditional musical customs. And also, as similar as music scene in other country, South Korean culture also have affected from the American culture. To understand the Korean music scene in 2011, all you have to know is 3I; Idol music, Indie music, and “I’m a singer.”

SNSD - Gee

From 1990s, Idol groups who are produced by huge entertainment company have dominated Korean popular music market. Many young aspiring singers enter to the agency company prepare for long years and finally make their own debut. During latest 20 years, this system have been became common things in South Korea. Based on success in a domestic market, some of them entered the Asian market and reach a previously inaccessible international audience via the Internet nowadays. Girl’s Generations is most distinguished idol girl group who succeeded in world market. This group consists of 9 women and it is also produced by SM entertainment, which is the biggest entertainment company in South Korea.

10cm - Americano

On the other hand, young adult populations also are drawn by various genres of music. Usually they are able to contact with diverse music they want to listen in live bars and clubs at the city center. In Seoul, there is the Hongdae area, which is well known as the capital of the Korean underground music community. There are many big live clubs which people encounter lots of kinds of music, such as Jazz, Hip hop, Rock, Electronic music, and so on. 10cm also made its debut in Hongdae area and it is the hottest indie band in 2011. One of them plays guitar and the other plays jembe, which is the traditional drum in the western Africa. Compared to the Idol music, their music has unusual and retro-style rhythm.

Live Power Music on Animax. I didn't know In My Head had a Korean version ~ o.O

9. get a good job 10. live my life to the fullest. 11. travel around the world. 12. to watch Korean Music Shows Live.

Korean fans did that ..on Live power music show !!! 110528 !! they were laughing~

RT : Saturday!! [KGG Live Special] Music Core (MBC) June 4, 2011 (YouTube) | Korean Gossip Girl

kpop night, MNET Ultimate Live, Heal the World! ♥♥♥ & next Beast Fanmeeting & Korean Music Wave! v^.~

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