Soft power is a country’s ability to attract or influence other nations through culture, without having to force anything. South Korea has become well known for this, specifically because of the spread of Korean pop music. K-pop has gained millions of fans around the world which have spread quickly, enough to see the impact here on campus too.
“BTS has always been my favorite group,” said Bella Son, a Senior here at Plano Senior.. “The flashy music videos. When I saw them for the first time, I was immediately hooked with all the choreography, extensive production and of course the catchy music.”
K-pop exploded across the nation, led by popular groups such as BTS, Blackpink, and Twice. Not only do these groups entice listeners through their music, many of them get to expand their content to larger audiences through social media platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube.can These platforms allow the singers to share behind-the-scenes videos, livestreams and music videos, easily connecting to fans and building human connections. These social media sites play a major role for not only their careers, but also the rapid growth of South Korea’s soft power.
Because of K-pop, many other Korean trends have made it across the pond. This includes fashion and beauty trends, food and even travel. Some fans even dedicate themselves to learning the language to better understand and sing along to their favorite songs. The excitement of connecting with other cultures further bonds audiences with South Korean culture, which gives the country a positive image, making them look modern, creative, and enticing.
Plano Senior High School even had its own K-pop club, which had many active and participating members over the years. Last year the club performed a dance to the hit Katseye song “Touch” at a pep rally. The year before that, they had a special performance in the end of year Planoette Pizazz show.
K-pop has shown how powerful culture can be in shaping individuals’ identities. South Korea’s music industry is revolutionary and a strong example of the impact and importance of soft power.
