Okay, with that title, I just revealed that I have, indeed, been bitten by the Hallyu bug. Oh yes, I'm not kidding. Little Ms. French film also listens to music with "saranghae" in the lyrics now. Applaud Yani for her epic convincing powers, I suppose. If it wasn't for her, (and a certain Alexander Lee Eusebio of U-Kiss) I'd still be free of this current spaz attack onslaught that gets triggered with every mention of Seoul. Yes, K-Pop fans, you may now congratulate her.
Of course, if you're a K-Popper (or even if you aren't. They're that immense.), you'd know So Nyeo Shi Dae or, as it's more popularly known, Girls' Generation. Yes, that would be the nine-member pop group that popularised songs such as "Gee", "Genie" and that hard to dislodge from the loop in your brain "Oh". They are, in fact, so popularly huge, their manager even decided to buy out a song Ke$ha was supposed to include in her album (That'd be "Run Devil Run").
Of course, this newfound musical (and full-on cultural, actually) isn't just limited to Taeyon and the rest of the girls. If you follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or are a Facebook friend, you'd know very well that I am a Kiss Me ( fan of U-Kiss) and a huge one at that (with extra immense fandom on Senhor Eusebio). I also happen to like CNBlue, Cocoon Bells, Alex, Evan, K. Will and other music stars from Korea.
I know. It's very shocking to hear it from the mouth of this Europe-phile. But yes, music is music no matter where it comes from so I guess I'm allowed to fan girl, oui? As a matter of fact, I have compiled a few things I like about the K-Pop industry in general and have decided, since it's just a week away, to apply it to somewhere seemingly highly unlikely: the upcoming elections. So yes, (insert presidential candidates name here), you have a few things to learn from Jessica Jung and her mates.
1. There is no such thing as entitlement. You have to earn your right to be in.
A little known fact about these Hallyu stars by non fans is that most of the time, you have to apply into entertainment companies. You send in your resume and go through a rigorous selection process in order to be even considered a trainee, someone who still needs a lot of practices to be able to be launched as an artist. It is very, very seldom that an artist is discovered, and if they do, they are usually just picked to join the trainings, not get plugged into a group automatically (As in the case of Alexander of U-Kiss).
And no, relatives of Korean showbiz royalty do not get special treatment or an easy way into the industry just because of the surname. They have to apply for the position and prove their worth...just like everyone else. So, no. Kim Kibum of U-Kiss, for example, wasn't a shoo in just because Hyung Jun of SS501 is his brother.
Unfortunately, many politicians related to those who've held public office long or, even, affiliated with them feel like they're automatically entitled to lead simply because of the blood running in their veins. Even if they aren't qualified, they get into politics because, for them, being so-and-so's son or brother or second cousin thrice removed is enough to merit them a slot in congress, senate or wherever. And when they lose, they attribute it to cheating, something they actually did during the vote count.
Ability, people, not surname.
2. Quality is never compromised. Every day, they seek nothing but the best.
The Korean music industry is constantly trying to find a different, explosive way to make their videos and songs even more awesome, catchy, and memorable than they already are. Even if they exhaust all their effort into finding that right song or technique, they do not care simply because it means making their fans happy. So Nyeo Shi Dae’s manager even had the galls to, as mentioned earlier, buy out a Ke$ha song that was supposed to be included in the latter’s album simply because it works for the group.
I really hope our politicians would seek all legal (take note of that word) ways to solve whatever problems our country has. It’s their job anyway as public servants. They are called to, well, serve. And this has to be a continuous, constant effort for whatever solution they find to work.
3. They know who to thank for their status: their supporters.
K-Pop artists are renowned for their humility and love for their fans. They never fail to thank their fans (either by word or by, say, staging a free concert) at every show. If ever they commit mistakes (even just a single sour note), they would not hesitate to issue an apology. They read as much fan letters as they could, and even ask their managers, at time, for more time with fans. Why? It’s simple really. Without fans to support them, a K-Pop performer’s (or any artist’s, for that matter) career would fizzle and die out. That is why they feel indebted to the people that go to their concerts and shows.
A really good example of this was U-Kiss’ first Manila tour. From the moment they touched down on the Philippines, they were already welcomed by fans, but instead of shooing them away with their bodyguards, they actually talked to some fans and even shook their hands. This rapport extended into their mall shows where the boys actually initiated conversations with those in line for the album signing. They even asked for an extension of the album signing to accommodate more fans.. Oh, and yes, every single gift and fan letter was taken all the way home to Korea because the boys appreciate them all so much.
I really hope our future leaders realise that they’d be elected into position by the everyday people, and for that, they have to serve them well. They must never forget who put them in power, a power that calls for responsibility to those they are indebted to.
In general, the K-Pop industry works because of, well, common sense, and one of the facts that the showbiz industry there recognises is that it’s a job. Despite the glitter, glamour, and cute little aegyo costumes, an entertainer should simply do his job.
A president, senator, mayor or even councilor is an even bigger job than simply singing onstage. They are called to lead, and I hope they, like the Hallyu stars their younger constituents follow, would do their job too.
Here’s to us electing the rightful officials in May…and me being able to dance “Mworago” by U-Kiss properly.
