K Pop

K Pop

K Pop was half of my life. When I lived in Korea K Pop not only gives me memories of my young age, but it has also formed my identity because sometimes I feel lost in the world. K pop lyrics talks about love, parents and humor, but most lyrics are about love. Since I was young, I have always listened to K Pop. I listen to the music while I’m walking on the street, riding a train, a bus, or in a taxi. Since I came to Chicago, however, I keep losing certain things from my mind. When I listen to K pop I feel as if I were home again, I feel less lonely and I remember my youth. I am lost in memories.

When I was in Korea, I could listen to K Pop everywhere, but in Chicago that is very difficult. When I was a student, I wanted to listen to famous dance music. Sometimes I wanted to listen to ballad a song which is easy because most Korean songs talk about love. While I was walking on the street, shopping or hanging out with friends on the bar, I could listen to K Pop anytime.  For example, when I was eighteen, I broke up with my first boyfriend. I really needed to listen to something that comforted me. One day after we broke up, I was walking on the street I turned up the music for a song named Who Hae Neun Up So- Never Regret. The lyrics made tears well up in my eyes. Suddenly my eyes were a flood of tears. Later I heard some songs that were about another love, but I felt bad in a different way. Even though the songs’ stories were not same as my situation, I just would feel bad. However, in Chicago I cannot listen to K Pop everywhere. I can only listen to K Pop in specific places like a Korean restaurant, a bar or a market. In addition, American music not only talks about the love but also talks about the politics, the economy and sex. Since I do not like music about politics, economics or sex, sometimes I feel lost or in a musical void.

When I was in Korea I enjoyed the music festival a lot, but in Chicago that is very difficult. My friend and I often skipped class because we I really wanted to go there since we heard about the festival. We went to the Hae Woon Dae beach, which was the place the festival was held. At that time, we were lucky because we sat in the third row from the stage. I was able to see the singers’ faces. My favorite singer was Choi Gwong Chang Min, who was really handsome. After the festival, we talked about it for three days because we were glad to see the singers. However, in Chicago I don’t want to go to the music festivals because the music is so different from the music I loved in Korea. I know some American singers and songs, but I cannot be enthusiastic about American audiences.

Even though I can listen to K Pop in Chicago, the mood of the music is different than when I listen to K Pop in Korea. I can understand all of Korean lyrics if I listen to any kind of music the first time because I can concentrate on them. However, American songs are hard to understand the first time because when they sing too fast, I can’t get it at all. It is also really difficult to understand when Americans talk about the top ten chart songs because I don’t know the story of the song exactly. Now Koreans are fanatical about Oppan Gang Nam Style by PSY. All of his songs are really good because intense his lyrics are easier to understand than many of the lyrics in the U.S.  Many times I watch his performance on You Tube. He performed in Yeo Su Expo and the audiences were absorbed in his music and more involved about this performance and music. I really wanted to be there, but I couldn’t. I thought that if I was there, I would be elated. I wanted to listen to his music through FM ratio, not through the MP3. As long as I’m in Chicago, the learning of K pop will have a deep meaning in love.

Definitely miss everything about my country. Sometimes I get home sick. When I stay in the bed or before I sleep, I have been thinking about my family and friends. In addition, I imagine my first boyfriend, music festival and the mood. However, while I’m living in Chicago, I always try to harmonize with Chicagoans. When I listen to K Pop I remember when I was young.