With the holding of the first K-pop concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City recently, American newspaper New York Daily News ran a story on K-pop.
“Since the turn of the millennium South Korea has been pumping out dramas and music videos as a means of influencing the broader culture throughout Asia. South Korean president Lee Myung-bak ranked K-Pop as one of the country's greatest achievements in an August speech celebrating Korea's independence from Japan,” the widely circulated newspaper said.
NY Daily News picked the top 5 K-pop groups that “will help immerse you in the world of K-pop.”
They are 2NE1, Big Bang, Super Junior, TVXQ and 2PM.
NY Daily News said noted 2NE1 for their “anthems on girl power and boy bashing” and fashion sense.
“Unlike other Korean girl groups who capitalize on sex appeal or being saccharine and cutesy, this group rose to the top of the charts for their anthems on girl power and boy bashing,” it said.
The newspaper said 2NE1’s “fierce” fashion, wearing clothes by “Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Proenza Schouler, Balmain and Jeremy Scott, who has become one of the band's biggest supporters.”
As for Big Bang, 2NE1’s big brothers at YG Entertainment, NY Daily News said the boy band “has since become one of Asia’s most recognizable acts.”
“It seems like Asia's not the only place they're receiving attention,” it said.
On the other hand, Super Junior was described as “one of South Korea’s biggest ‘hallyu’ groups.”
NY Daily News said, “How do you get attention from tween girls everywhere? Stick as many good-looking guys as possible on a stage. The 12-member Super Junior has already been deemed one of South Korea's biggest ‘hallyu’ groups by the BBC and they have a far reach of fans from Slovenia to Peru, where they were named one of the 30 ‘Sexiest Men in the World.’”
Boy band 2PM was described by the newspaper as “Chippendale-like” because of their six-pack abs that the group displays during performances and acrobatics.
“While other boy bands captured attention through their pretty-boy images, this group capitalizes on their masculine look,” NY Daily News said of boy band 2PM.
It added, “The six-member group focuses on heavy acrobatics and intricate dance moves and has become almost Chippendale-like — without the cheesy bow ties.”
Duo TVXQ was noted for choreography and voices.
“With tight choreography and impressive pipes, this dynamic duo has become the epitome of K-Pop: slick dance moves, stellar musical productions and big voices to boot,” NY Daily News said.
source: NY Daily News
