Socio-Cultural
20111124_TiffanyandJessica

K-pop and Asian America

85
Written by On January 27, 2012

In many ways, the Hallyu phenomenon in America is deeply rooted in financial and economic matters. While the Hallyu effect throughout Asia has come to hold both economic and social implications, the spread of Korean culture in America is not magnanimous enough to affect  American social values. Currently, K-pop’s biggest strides into the American market are largely focused on economics and business: the Wonder Girls are collabing with Nick Cannon, one of the biggest names in tween entertainment, and SNSD was signed onto Interscope Records, one of America’s largest music labels. Of course, many acknowledge that the idea of having Asian entertainers in an entertainment market saturated with non-Asians is interesting, at best. But largely speaking, it’s far from being a principal concern.

However, one cannot deny that there’s something quite staggering about the idea of Asian entertainers taking such a brazen approach to the American entertainment market. For years, Asian-American entertainers have struggled to break into an entertainment scene that has proven itself to be prejudiced towards racial minorities, particularly Asians. Currently, many Asian-American entertainers have taken to social media platforms such as Youtube to show off their craft. But despite the flood of Asian-American “celebs” on Youtube, racial imbalance and prejudice in American entertainment still make themselves known.

These prejudices are all the more highlighted when looking at America’s current pop music scene. And yes, while Far East Movement made a huge splash on the American pop scene with “Like A G6” last year, not a lot of strides towards Asian-American acceptance in the music industry have been made since then. While many Americans now admit (some begrudgingly) that Asians can rap, what about the Asians who can sing and dance and work a stage just as well as Beyonce or Lady Gaga? For many Americans, the idea of an Asian Beyonce is nearly unthinkable. Despite the progress made by Asian-Americans who have found success in the entertainment industry, the American perception of Asians on the pop scene is still very skewed, and by relation, the negative stereotypes of Asians within American society continue to persist.

K-pop is an unlikely solution to this problem, and one that would be almost inconceivable several years ago. But as the musical aesthetic of K-pop begins to resemble American pop more and more, the idea of K-pop being “American-pop-with-Korean-lyrics” is becoming a less bizarre idea. Granted, there’s a visual component about K-pop that is unique to itself, and it’s obvious American pop has long graduated from the boyband trend to which K-pop seems to still be so attached. But apart from structural and promotional differences, the gap in musical aesthetics between American pop and Korean pop is shrinking. The only notable difference? Korean pop is performed by a cast of all-Asian faces.

For many Asian-American pop star hopefuls, debuting as a K-pop singer might mean more than having the chance to stand on a stage in front of thousands of adoring fans. In a sense, K-pop has become one of the few opportunities for Asian-Americans to have a fair shot at achieving stardom. The presence of “global auditions” in America and Canada have helped to bring the dream one step closer for many Asian-Americans. And while many non-Asian fans bemoan the so-called “prejudice” of having a preference for Asian-American auditionees, one must consider that, for many Asian-Americans, the Western entertainment world has become prejudicially off-limits, and that these global auditions may be their sole path to stardom.

In light of SNSD’s upcoming appearance on The David Letterman Show and Live with Kelly, it’s interesting to note that Korean-American members Jessica and Tiffany are finally making their mainstream American “debut,” albeit in a remarkably roundabout manner. What is even more interesting is the fact that Tiffany was initially discovered when she auditioned for Kollaboration back in 2004. Kollaboration is an annual talent show that is held in several cities throughout America, and serves to showcase Asian-American talent in light of the lack of an Asian presence in the American entertainment scene. In many ways, Kollaboration is a political statement, and the fact that Tiffany was discovered via Kollaboration and is now making an American debut through K-pop is very interesting. On more than one occasion, Tiffany has said that her ultimate dream is to return to America and sing on an American stage. At the surface, SNSD’s American debut seems to bring Tiffany a big step closer to that dream. But now that Tiffany’s achieved K-pop stardom, does that actually block off any real opportunity for her to become an American star as well?

While the musical aesthetics of K-pop and American pop are similar, the two nonetheless exist as separate entities. This particularly pertains to America, home to a culture that has somehow grown to ostracize and reject anything deemed as “foreign.” It’s an unlikely response, considering America’s reputation as being the world’s “melting pot,” but just take a look at the infamous “Kids React to K-pop” video and you’ve got a pretty good explanation. It seems to me that many Americans instinctually regard Asian pop acts as a cheap “knock-off” of a non-Asian, popular American pop act. How many times has 2NE1 been regarded as the Asian Lady Gaga? Taeyang as the Asian Chris Brown? SHINee as a troupe of Asian Justin Biebers? Why must Asian pop artists almost always be contextualized by a non-Asian look-a-like, and why are they almost always seen as being somewhat inferior to the so-called “original”? There is a good reason why K-pop won’t make it in America, and it lies in the fact that the American view of anything “foreign” is still one laced with negativity and judgment.

So is K-pop a good thing for Asian-America? Not really — K-pop has the potential to unintentionally create new stereotypes about Asians, while doing nothing to create greater dimensionality and exposure for the Asian-American music community. But for Asian-Americans whose only aspirations are manifested in the dream of holding a mic and standing on a stage and have nothing to do with the goal of giving Asian-Americans a louder voice in the American pop scene, K-pop holds a world of opportunity. It’s somewhat sad that the only way in which Asian-Americans can have a fair shot at being a pop artist is available only outside of America. As an Asian-American myself with an invested interest in both domestic and international pop music scenes, I feel somewhat conflicted about the relationship between Asian-America and K-pop. While I wish that the flashyness and shine of K-pop would help to break negative stereotypes about Asian-Americans, the chances of this actually happening (or rather, not backfiring) are nonetheless slim.

Related Posts

TAGS: , ,
  • http://raine0211.wordpress.com/ Raine

    Patricia, powerful words. I’m white so I don’t have the same perspective as you do, but I’ve always noticed the very conspicuous absence of Asian performers in pop music. I’m a classical musician so in my world, everyone has a different ethnic background. I rarely play in a group that is all one ethnicity. There are a lot of Asian music students who come to study in the US and they ROCK. I played a gig last Saturday with a Venezuelan violist, a Japanese violinist and me, the American mutt cellist.

    So it always strikes me how curious I find it to see an Asian pop singer on an American stage. It’s because I NEVER SEE THEM!!!!

    When I saw Bi on stage here I flipped out. I thought it meant something…but no. He’s just Bi and he’s just that cool. But you’re right, people are always saying “He’s the Asian Michael Jackson.” No…he’s Bi. The man is his own kind of creative. To take the Korean language and adapt a style developed around the English language is a feat. There are rhythmic and tonal variations that have to be negotiated and that are highly underappreciated.

    To be honest, most K-pop nowadays is WAY better than the shit they have floating around here. I don’t listen to it. I stray more towards classical, musical theatre, traditional musics and old school rock, reggae, rap, etc.

    The point you made about Tiffany’s the roundabout route to her American debut is so true it hurts. I can’t even imagine if Asians were as shunned in the classical world. (They are. People actually get pretty nasty. But it seems worse in pop.) We’d miss out on so many amazing artists. Midori. Jo Su-mi. Yoyo Ma. Yiruma. Hana Chang. LangLang…and on and on and on. So the Western world is missing it’s chance to witness really awesome entertainment and talent.

    And shoot me if I’m shallow…but I’d take Taeyang over Chris Brown ANY DAY. *shudder*

    Anyway, keep writing. This was really well put.

    Love,

    White girl who loves K-pop.

    • JW

      Taeyang over Chris Brown indeed :)

      • Anonymous

        ………..anyway

  • http://twitter.com/miss_subi Subashiny

    While I do think Patricia is making a valid argument with valid points, I don’t think race relations is a one sided issue. Discussions of race relations is almost always constructed in vertical hierarchies as oppose to horizontal parallels. To consider the lack of an Asian presence in America or the West also requires a consideration of the Asian American community itself and it’s own relationship with the American entertainment industry and the American community at large. How is the Asian American community situating itself into these areas? I don’t have any answers per say, but it’s a question that definitely warrants some thought and discussion before tackling the issue on the whole. The answer isn’t just: America doesn’t look positively on anything considered “foreign.” That, regardless of whether it’s true or not, can only be half an answer.      

  • Boo

    It’s funny to observe because Filipino-American acts like Bruno Mars and Darren Criss are popular but they don’t look typically Asian. I see Charice as someone who could potentially break through tho.

    • Anonymous

      Charice has the voice of an angel, she had Oprah’s backing, she’s adorable and she’s a soloist.

      Things that neither SNSD nor the Wonder Girls have.

    • Anonymous

      I think most people don’t even consider Criss or Mars as “half”. Bruno Mars looks like his half-Latino heritage so he’s often categorized as such. Darren Criss’s ethnicity is not even discussed that often, since as you say, he doesn’t look like the typical Asian. 

      Charice has a chance because she has such potential and her vocals really are a ‘talent’, something that you either have or don’t. It can’t be achieved through singing karaoke all the time. Charice has been to a lot of venues in America from Obama’s inauguration, Oscars parties given by celebrities, baseball games, etc. but she still has to make a very, very big splash. IMO even Glee didn’t bring her the mainstream attention since her character was so forgettable, mainly in part of the writers who made her story line so ridiculous. Still, she’s young, and she has a lot of support from Oprah, David Foster, etc. who can help open doors for her. She probably still needs to mature a little bit, since she’s so young, and whenever I watch her videos on Youtube, there are always those comments about how people don’t believe it’s really her singing because she’s so small, but her voice is so ‘big’.

    • Aya

      …this is going to be OOT…

      umm…. Philippine is a part of Asia…i know when people say Asian faces they will refer to Oriental faces (I’m not talking about Chinese only, but also Korean and Japanese), but to get it straight, Asian has many different faces. Oriental is one of them, there’s also Indians that look similar to Pakistan, or Indonesian, Philippine, and Malaysian that also look kinda similar, and CMIIW there’s also a part in Indonesia that the people look like African. Not only the faces, though, if you hear their voices it will also different type. Like Jessica’s high pitch voice for example, you wont find it in South East Asian Countries, you can find different high pitch sound in India like you can hear in Bollywood  movies. Etc…etc…etc…it’s too long, i’m to lazy to write more LOL (facepalm). 
      And before anyone make comment about not bringing races here, i’m going to state that this is not a racist comment, if you can read the explanation, this merely an information. Well, I’m Asian but i don’t have Oriental face, so i happen to give this this information a lot because i always got thee question “You’re from Asia? Why don’t you look like one?” 

      …and back to the topic…

      Charice has the voice that can wowed people not to mention powerful and she can play with it, it’s all about what she can do. Ow. That and Marketing rules.

    • happyslip

      To make it more specific, they don’t look EAST Asian. Strong emphasis on the word east. Most people outside Asia typically assume that everyone in the continent have oriental features when it’s far from the truth. Bruno Mars can definitely pass as Filipino — the country after all is almost a melting pot of pretty diverse looks. Darren Criss too, if you look at him closely. But perhaps it’s harder on him especially if you have no idea about the Philippines and its people.

      Speaking of which, I think this is one of the rarely discussed issues within the actual topic. When people (particularly from the Western perspective, as I have noticed) talk about “Asian Domination” they rarely go beyond East Asia. Perhaps this is a kpop site therefore most of the topics are Korea-centric…but usually they forget that East Asia is but a small part of the actual Asian population. Maybe it’s one of the reasons why, let’s say the “actual” part Asians like the ones you’ve mentioned don’t even bother to project their “Asian-ness”. People from the west would probably ignore their claim because to most of them, these people don’t fit the Asian look they have in mind. 

  • kc

    IDK, I do agree that Asian-American popularity (or lack there of I guess) is effected racially, but I think we also have to take in account how many “up and coming” pop singers there are out there and also take in account how Asian-Americans are raised compared to say a white American or a black American.

    how often do we here about Asian parents disproving of their child choice in an artisitc career, and I mean yeah, it’s an over used stereotype that Asian parents are all about education but when it comes down to it it’s a somewhat true stereotype.

    now add that into the millions of young teens and adults trying to make it big in entertainment, when you take in account that alot of Asian Americans are discouraged from it you can kind of see that it’s more then just “Americans being racist.”

    I’m in no way saying that racism isn’t a problem, it really is even today, but we also have to take in account that that it’s not just racism though… cause I mean, if we blame EVERYTHING on racism it diminishes how wrong it is… it becomes just a title that people get called when the other party has nothing to fight back with. 

    IDK, maybe instead of bemoaning that “oh, America is just a racist country, I can’t make it big because everyone’s so racist” do something about it, don’t just sit around and whine about it, go out there and blow people away if you do have talent. I’m in no way saying this to be mean or even to belittle the negative impact racism has, but when it comes down to it the only way to beat racism is to fight, not physically but intelligently, brilliantly so that the opposing party that is judging you because of the color of your skin has no leg to stand on.

    there’s always gonna be someone who finds something wrong with you, whether it’s your race, weight, height or even the things you like, no matter what though, if you’re doing the thing you love you can not let those criticizers get to you. If you want to take the world by storm the only way to do that is to work hard and if the world excepts you, great, if not… at least you’re doing what you love.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anngelica-Aguilar/100000185514336 Anngelica Aguilar

      Amen to that! 

  • Guest

    I doubt either American artist in SNSD can stand on her own as a solo artist.  Do they have the pipes to be a singing sensation or the stage presence to wow and engage the audience?  If not, they should be thankful for the oppty they have been given in Kpop because America owes them nothing, just like their parents….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2HLWIJFBCMMYGQYBMYXOPTEXF4 Mq

    Leave race behind and let the music do all the talking.  

    • http://twitter.com/NotMyBirthday21 Lakeisha

      Race does matter a lot. Whether you like to admit it or not. Spanish people have made their own name in America. African Americans have made their own name in America but Asians have failed to do this. I would love for their to be a network on basic cable, dedicated to Asian Americans. Spanish speakers have Univison and African Americans have BET. 

      • Sakechan4ya

        They do have specific channels for Asian American audiences. Comcast has two channels Mnet and Tv Korea. Mnet has some shows that highlight Asian-Americans in the media. Sadly there used to be more channels focused on Asian-Americans, such as the International Channel. They lose funding years ago so the channel disappeared :( 

        The thing is that if you want specific programming for Asian-Entertainment you’re probably going have to pay extra for it. I have ATT U-verse and I subscribed to MBC America. If you have Comcast Mnet and TV Korea are located on their basic cable line-up.  

  • eboy07

    SNSD attractive ????
    PD: Wonder girls have better shapely legs.

    • Anonymous

      Your hate is getting boring now. You offer nothing insightful.

  • ggoma

    Honestly, I think it’s because Asian American parents want their kids to be lawyers and doctors and crap. They want to prove their success to the other AA parents. AA usually stick to themselves and they try to look and act American but they never even hang out with anyone outside their own race so no wonder AA people can be successful in the pop culture in America.

    (No offense to any AA who are different from this stereotype, but I’ve personally never met one outside of this category).

    • Kyana

      This is true to an extent. It’s probably mostly the parents fault. They came to America so that their kids could have a good life and a better chance at getting an education and being successful, they probably don’t view music as a real profession which is why they want their children to go to college and become a doctor or something more “realistic”. 

    • ggoma

      Just saw my typo. “no wonder AA can’t* be”

  • Anonymous

    Korean companies are at fault for the constant comparisons to American artists. They see it as a compliment and they readily attach it to their artists at any opportunity.

  • Wickfan

    i have a question why doesn’t the asian american communities do what tyler perry did for the black communities. African American supported him with his shows and movies that he has become mainstream.

    • Anonymous

      God no! I wouldn’t wish a Tyler Perry on any group of people. Not everyone in the black community supports Tyler Perry and, to be fair, he’s not considered mainstream. His films are still created, marketed and released as black films, and he doesn’t work with as large as of a budget as most Hollywood movies.

      • http://twitter.com/NotMyBirthday21 Lakeisha

        Tyler Perry is wealthy and his movies do use the same budget as most Hollywood movies. Tyler Perry has 3 or 4 different shows and every single one of his movies became a success. He owns his own movie company and that’s why people love him. He started off poor and homeless and was able to become rich and successful. You are right that not every single black person like Tyler Perry. Mostly because he talks openly about the problems going on in the black community and sometimes use stereotypes that people in the black community hate, but when he does use a stereotype, you o realize that everyone in the movie is not that stereotype. Like he might have 1 character that is a thug and one character that is a christian. He doesn’t group all black people together like most Hollywood movies do. Like I seen a movie where every single black person in the movie was a criminal in some way, while the white people were perfect angles and were being attacked by the black people.  Tyler Perry does not have to be mainstream. He makes more money then half of those big wigs in Hollywood. He is a producer, director and actor. Give credit where it is due. Even if you don’t like the man. 

        • Anonymous

          I give credit when it’s deserving. Perry isn’t deserving. The only thing I can say about Tyler Perry is that he’s a good hustler. You’re right, he went from homeless to rich off his own productions. However, he is not a face for a group of people nor is he even a good movie maker (he shamelessly self-plagiarizes). He made his money off the SAME tired stereotypes found in white produced movies. The only difference is that people think they have some validity because a black man produced the movie. Almost every Tyler Perry production includes a crack head, an idiot/coon-buffoon, criminal/thug, or “overly saved” Christian. I’m not even going to delve to much into the fact that almost every Tyler Perry movie ends with the same moral: If women would sit down, shut up and let the man be in charge, she’d be able to get/keep a man.

          Madea is just another of the Mammy archtype (overweight, can’t speak proper English, asexual) with some angry black woman mixed in. She is grossly offensive, and I don’t know any black woman like that. However, when Tyler Perry does interviews and makes media appearances saying every black family has a Madea (which he has said), it audiences the idea that this trope is true.

          I’m not surprised white people watch the movies because I can’t think of a time when white people haven’t enjoyed watching black people act like coons. I’ve talked to white people who enjoy those movies and they don’t enjoy them for the storyline or the issues brought up; they enjoy watching Madea act like a fool.

          Reading Wickfan’s second comment, I agree with what’s they’re saying about Perry hiring black actors and making black films. And I’m not opposed or embarrassed by movie makers making films about issues in the black community. Spike Lee dealt with the issue of black colorism in “School Daze” and Chris Rock dealt with the issue of hair in “Good Hair.” Tyler Perry’s productions, however, are so full of caricatures and racist tropes that it’s embarrassing.

          • Anonymous

            well don’t watch them then, stop bitching about how much you don’t like it and move on. I’m black and love the fact that though yes he does do those things he always has a good story to address and NO it is not always about women keeping a man, but about losing your faith, infidelity, getting out of the ghetto, and drugs with thugs. Do your  research before you bash him. He may not be the perfect man, but he is making people see our problems/struggle.

          • Anonymous

            One comment is not bitching and, even if it was, last time I checked I was free to bitch about whatever I wanted. If you don’t like it, don’t read fucking read it then. If you’re so desperate for any type of portrayal no matter how insulting or degrading, then you go and enjoy his work all you want. I have standards. He’s a public figure open for criticism and I won’t support someone who produces work as lazy and as disrespectful as his.

            I’ve done plenty of research and if you think someone’s husband leaving them because they’re overweight/for a white woman or the story of some violent, wise-cracking mammy going to jail is “the plight of our people,” then the person who needs to get educated is you.

          • http://twitter.com/NotMyBirthday21 Lakeisha

            Well, I happen to disagree with you. I know many woman like Madea. Hell, my Aunt is one. I have even went to a Tyler Perry play and I believe that Tyler Perry is very talented.  I have never seen a Spike Lee film so I can’t comment on that and Chris Rock’s movie Good Hair was very boring movie to me. As a black woman I am sick of the type of movies that always need to have some Black Panther Party Message in it. Tyler Perry is funny and now people take shit way to seriously and are way to sensitive about every little thing. Is is wrong to laugh? Even if its at yourself. I don’t know where you grew up at but i know that in my hood there is a Madea. There is a crazy christian and there are thugs. Not all black people are this but if you look in the black community, you will find people like this. Also, I think you got the moral of most of Tyler Perry’s movies all wrong. But you know what, whatever. People always have to complain about something. It honestly won’t matter what Tyler Perry does, you will still hate him. No matter what Oprah does, people still hate her. I saddens me that in the black community we can’t support each other. We always have to attack each other. Tyler Perry is not making Nazi and KKK films. You might hate to admit it but half of stereotypes used in his films are true. People just hate to admit it. The problem with stereotypes is that people always say that everyone in this race does it, which is of course a lie because every person of every single race doesn’t do the same thing. I can say that most Asians east rice. That would be a fact. Most blacks act like thugs. Not all but most. That is a true fact. 

          • Anonymous

            I hate to be the one who won’t let things go, but I can’t ignore what you wrote.

            “Most blacks act like thugs. Not all but most.” That is the most messed up thing I’ve ever heard and THAT is my problem with Tyler Perry. No, the majority of black people are not thugs. I’m not. I’m going to assume you’re not. The majority of the people I went to school with weren’t. The majority of the students I teach and work with aren’t. And the majority of the people I live around, see in my neighborhood, in the mall, etc. aren’t.

            There are more black people going to college and getting an education than ever before. There are more black people in the military than in jail. More and more black people are opening their own businesses and starting their own companies. But you don’t see that in Perry’s films. Is incarceration a issue for the black community? Yes, but it’s not one that’s unique to the black community. And when Tyler Perry presents these themes as part of the universal black experience, it’s pretty much a slap to the face to every black person who is going to school/working/serving their country and not acting like a thug.

            I’m not against airing black people’s dirty laundry in public. I am against it when the are presented as part of everyone’s black experience, when they are mocked and presented for others/white people to laugh at and when they are presented in a way that doesn’t make the audience reflect or analyze the stereotype. Aaron McGruder’s “The Boondocks” plays off stereotypes and black issues, but at least McGruder is intelligent enough to know how to use the stereotype to show how ridiculous it is. (i.e., “nigga moments” or the R. Kelly trial episode [this clip is so relevant to this conversation] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVWi8aNHHQA) Even “Crash,” as flawed as it was, made the audience examine stereotypes. Ludacris played a thug, but he was forced in the movie to examine how that reflects back on himself and others.

            I don’t want you to think I’m attacking you because I’m not. I don’t care if people like Tyler Perry. Really, I don’t. And I don’t even have an issue with Tyler Perry as a person. I don’t know him well enough to have an issue with him as a person. I CAN, however, and DO talk about his work. I’m not obligated to support his movies just because I’m black. His movies are not funny, his writing is lazy and, as evidenced of how he handled “For Colored Girls” he has absolutely no idea how to present a story. You’ve never seen a Spike Lee joint. I’d recommend watching at least one. Spike Lee can present an issue, make it funny and not rely on tried tropes to entertain the audience. He does histories (Get on the Bus, 4 Little Girls, When the Levees Broke) and he does comedies (School Daze, Jungle Fever, Bamboozled).

      • Wickfan

        my point was even though tyler perry movies are nothing like big budget blockbusters when  he started his shows and movies it was afican americans who supported him from the beginning i know his films are market as black films but he is able to put great african americans and even black english actors in his film(thandie newton). His movies are successful  (FOR COLORED GIRLS love this movie) but not just tyler perry but african americans been supporting themselves for a long time 40s stormy weather cabin in the sky and laters movies soul food waitibg to exhale barbershop precious heck even friday were successful movies. though those movies were cater to black americans they spread i remember when all my white friends were buying the diary of a mad black women I feel that Asian Americans should make more movies that maybe stars an all asian cast but they have to have the support from the asian americans communities to spread.

        • Anonymous

          I do agree with this. The way to mainstream acceptance is to first be in charge of making your own product and creating your own image. Your first comment said the same thing, but I missed it because I was too busy reacting to Tyler Perry’s name. Sorry about that. Whenever Tyler Perry is mentioned as an example of black cinema I snap just a little. Hope you didn’t think I was speaking down to you.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000793762972 Ashley Polk

    I just want to say that if we are going by history, Asian Americans have a loooong way to go in terms of the entertainment industry. I’m basing this of of African Americans. It took us a long to break through the entertainment industry without doing stereotypical acts, (slaves, maids…) or without White Americans stealing songs made by blacks.( Elvis Presley) Blacks didn’t really start to dominate until Michael Jackson and the Surpremes showed up. ( And started getting equal pay yadah yadah yadah) My point is, It took us a long time, because of racism,and it will probably be the same for Asians and Latinos.

    • Anonymous

      Latinos have already made it big. 

      Elvis Presley stole songs? Links, please.

      • Anonymous

        Hound dog is one example. That was originally a blues song sung by an AA woman. 

        Then Elvis “re-did it…and people act like he invented something new.

        • Guest

           He took a song, re-did the song and gave the original singer none of the profits and I do not think he even mentioned her at all. That would’ve been a copyright violation if she wasn’t AA during a time when none of the people in power cared about AAs. Also, the whole point is to say that  a good song only became popular once a white man started singing it. That is just one example out of what I think of many, if you need more examples you can probably find more online.

      • Anonymous

        It’s pretty much common knowledge that Elvis took black music and repackaged it for white audiences. He wasn’t the only one. “Hound Dog” like cgirl98 mentioned was recorded 4 years before Elvis got a hold of it by a black woman named Willie Mae Thorton.

  • Lara.D

    I just want to point out that, many people who listen to music do not see the faces of the artists (especially new artists) until long after many radio plays. Hence, the success of the artists shouldn’t have too much of a direct relationship with their race. For example, Jay Sean became the first Indian (also a minority in the US market) to top charts. Many did not know his ethnicity until long after. This similar situation also happened to Far East Movement. I think like any industry, the US music market is a place where you can’t solely rely on skills. There are so many aspiring artists who want to make it big (and this number just keeps increasing) with musical talents. Given the fact that Asian Americans are a minority, I believe they are already at a disadvantage when it comes to succeeding in this competitive market ( purely from a statistical point of view). 

  • Aya

    I think not only Kpop, though. Since the i don’t know when, Asia has been underdog, only several countries pop out, and Korea is one of the latest country that popped out to the world recently. And yes, it’s because of Hallyu, because if you follow the sport area, Korea already making names in few categories before the wave. Example, Bruce Lee has been said as Asian version of Chuck Norris *Gasp with hand in her chest*. 

    But yes i do agree if Kpop might create a new stereotypes about Asian, and i hope it’s the good one. Kpop Idol already famous for their hard working personas, so as long as the consistencies are there, i can say, maybe they will make it. The only thing that tipped me off is the fans, because they might not gonna like the reaction. Debuting in US, maybe they will be the bomb right away, maybe US wont care, maybe they will received harsh comments and stuff, maybe they cant make it, but also maybe it only in the beginning, everyone has their first time. But fans can react the other way by it by as they called it ‘protecting’, that make them look bad (or maybe give up) and forever ever after living in the name like Justin Bieber’s wannabe (and i’m not talking about Shinee only). Yes crazy fans, your attitude also can bring -lets just say- ‘something’ to your idol.

    • Anonymous

      Bruce Lee was Chinese though….not Korean. But yeah…I’m afraid for SNSD mainly because of fan reactions. American Ent is no joke and these fans need to grow thick skin is they want to be on the world stage.

      • Aya

        yea, i know he’s not, that was to reply that asian already in the “asian version of” statement, 

  • Meanie

    I know this topic is about asian’s that are not mixed and basically have two parents that are korean, chinese, japanese, etc.. 

    But what I find missing from these types of discussions is that
    most of the time its the blasian’s that have the most success in the U.S. (I am excluding the black/white combo)  Black mixed with either combination- chinese, korean, filipino, japanese, etc… You can’t exclude them because they are a part of the puzzle called American Success in the music industry.  So when you talk about Kpop making it in the U.S. you have to look deeper at what worked for Asians who are mixed.

    Black ethnicity and race is complex around this world especially in the U.S. because of this they will be grouped based on looks/skin tone and most of the time that would be the black category.  This gives them the authenticity to move through the system, unfortunately it’s how the game is played.
    Examples-

    Amerie (Black/Koren) when she first came out she did pretty well even getting two grammy nominations.

    Sean Paul (Afro Caribbean/English/Chinese)- Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer

    Ne-Yo (Nigerian/His mother is a mix of African American and Chinese descent).

    Even though Bruno Mars is Puerto Rican/Filipino (I’m not going to go into the black & Latino aspect) but he can get a pass.  Kinda like when the “blue eyed soul” singers can get a pass (Robin Thick, Michael McDonald,etc.. and of course Teena Marie-R.I.P)  What does Bruno Mars, Michael McDonald, Teena Marie have in common?  They all were under Motown at one point.

    Shoot I will throw in actors Rae Dawn Chong & Dwayne Johnson (The Rock).

    And let’s not get away from the fact that Kpop always want to get black producers or singers backing them from the U.S. why? Because it try’s to give them an “Authenticity”.

    Case in point artist in America that have benefited from complete backing of black people (creative teams, managing, producing, dancers, etc..)

    Lady Gaga- Akon discovered her, Manager- Troy Carter, Laurieann Gibson-Former Choreographer and transformed her Image into what Lady Gaga is today.

    Justin Beiber- Usher and some other people…LOL

    What do they have in common? They are white.

    So if Asian American’s need to go to Korea or where ever and go through Kpop/Jpop/Cpop whatever pop in order to obtain success I say more power to them.  It’s hard out here for American minorities to make it in the industry here.

  • Anonymous

    Someone tell me if this is out of line, but I’ve always thought it seems a bit arrogant of some idols/idol companies/fans to think their Korean born/raised star can come to the states and dominant in with one or two songs when there are scores of Asian American singers/dancers/whatnot already here. When an Asian star does rise in the pop world, they will probably be a product of American culture.

    • Guest

      Yeah, I’m hoping it will be an American artist or group too.  AZIATIX for the win baby!  And, any other AMERICAN ASIAN performers…..

      Sorry WGs, but living here does not make you “American” just a foreigner on a visa or whatnot.

    • G.

      Bruno Mars – half Filipino
      Vanessa Hudgens – part Filipino
      Cassie – Filipino/Black
      Apl.de.ap (Black Eyed Peas) – Filipino/Black
      Steve Aoki – Japanese
      Chad Hugo (N.E.R.D) – Filipino/White
      Norah Jones – Indian/White
      Kelis – 1/4 Chinese
      Justin Nozuka – Japanese/White
      Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls) – mixed, part Filipino

      And you’re 100% right. None of these people started off in Asia.

  • http://twitter.com/NotMyBirthday21 Lakeisha

    If you take the Korean language out of kpop is is just pop music. Kpop brings nothing new to America. We have heard it and seen it all before. Kpop needs to bring something new. They need something to stand out from the rest because America has way to many singers and even  bands that are trying to become the next Lady Gaga, Katy Perry or Maroon 5. 

    • i’m a dumb fangirl

      OMG BUT WAT ABOUT UNNIRS INNOVATIVE MUSIC VIDEOS? AND OPPARS ALL SING SO WELL LIVE.

      • Crazyfangirl

        I see what you did there ~_^

  • Music=Love

    I don’t mean to come off as a hipster, but the only problem I really have about Kpop trying to make it in mainstream America is that they would start conforming just to sound like American music. I love my American music, but one of the reasons why I was so open to Kpop was because it was different and unique to my usual playlist. Some of my favorite indie and under ground artists in American have sold out and changed their sound to the point where I don’t listen to their new stuff. I have no problem with mainstream itself in fact I would love for all my favorite bands to be crazy popular I just don’t want anyone to change why I first fell in love with them in the first place. (promise you i’m not a hipster)

  • Aeon

    I dont understand why everyone blames America for not listening to KPOP because it is in a different language. People will naturally turn towards music that they can understand over something in a foreign language. And is there really some Asians that are as good as Lady Gaga or Beyonce? I dont think so. I think you underestimate their talent. I think America would recognize their talent if they were as talented as those two, Asian or not. Why dont you turn the tables around on Korea? I know many white people try out for audtions for YG, SM entertainment and I already know that they will not be the ones who make it because they are not Asian and if they hypothetically do get in, Asian Americans themselves will criticize that person because they aren’t asian. So don’t criticize America when Korea is even worse. And don’t criticize when Asian Americans are also discriminatory.

    • Guest

      I think Kpop fans need to go live in South Korea to get an idea of what the nation is all about before they cast stones at America.  Besides, we really don’t care what you say about us especially when our military is defending that nation from its enemies and its right to be fascist by reinventing itself through plastic surgery and saying they are superior…..Throw all the stones you want, but you will regret that action one day.

       Kpop sucks at its core and what is at the surface are false images due to “plastic” artists and a form of psychological warfare aimed at teenagers.  If that’s your thing, enjoy it and stfu!

      • Anonymous

        I’m interested in what you have to say about the use of psychological warfare in Korean pop. I have suspected as much but don’t have enough proof and haven’t researched enough (English sources are scarce) to make a definite conclusion.

        I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. I’m assuming that you live/lived in South Korea?

      • Anonymous

        I’m interested in what you have to say about the use of psychological warfare in Korean pop. I have suspected as much but don’t have enough proof and haven’t researched enough (English sources are scarce) to make a definite conclusion.

        I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. I’m assuming that you live/lived in South Korea?

        • Guest

          I think ppl should do their own discoveries about certain societal or global matters if one is so inclined or interested.  Getting off my soap box, if you search the words “soft power and ROK”, you should get some hits.

    • Quinnley

      Gotta agree with on this one.

  • Mandi101894

    I dont know being i west indian american(my parents come from a little carribean island called st.vincent) i was raised the same way most of my asian friends were raised because we have one thing in common, our parents were immigrants. The reason my parents came here was to have better oppurtunities for themselves and for me being that they came here with practically nothing. My parents also dont like music as a CAREER for me so its understandable with the asian stereotypical aspect of it all. So interms of using kpop as means of making it in the us.. its about talent. I guarantee you that no matter what race you are that if you have talent and you really wanted fame, then race wouldnt be an issue. Deeming an asian as the asian this person and that person is stupid. People get famous based on individuality and what they bring to the table. If i wanted to become a kpop idol it would be because i wanted to bring my carribean aspects to korea which in fact is not that different to korean culture. It definitely wouldnt be about making in america. Here people get signed almost every day. Many not even trying. Trying too hard makes you look desperate which is why i likethe wondergirls approach of learning the language and starting off small… ive been into the whole asian concept since i was young. My mom was able to use korean chinese and taiwanese english subtitles to get me to learn my words and i used to watch the music videos and everything on cable tv and i never stopped the fascination since…thus giving me all the knowledge to visit places like korea and china.. so basically if you have the talent and believe in individuality race wont be an issue look at far east movement..all my black hispanic white and even jewish friends bump to them shiiieettt

    • Mandi101894

      Also if i come home with anything less than an A my parents will kick my ass too -_-

    • http://profiles.google.com/simone.halo Simone La

      i’m from the caribbean :)

  • happyslip

    This might be completely off-topic, but Asia doesn’t automatically equate to East Asia. From what I’ve noticed this small issue is often overlooked, particularly from a Western perspective from what I have observed. There’s more to Asia than just China, Korea and Japan. Basically, Kpop isn’t the only attempt for the rest of Asia to be well represented in the US’ music industry because if you look at it, Asia is and can be as diverse as the west. 

    I hope no one takes this the wrong way but maybe it’s one of the reasons why it seems an Asian act just have a harder time to penetrate the industry sometimes. Like, before they can even be called as an Asian who’s might get a chance to get big in the industry, you have to look like East Asian first and have an East Asian sounding name, or else your attempt to somehow represent the continent is going to get irrelevant or ignored.

    • Anonymous

      I agree that Asia doesn’t automatically equate to East Asia. I think however that equating those two is not a Western thing but an American thing. Most Europeans consider Turks to be Asian for example. Also people from Iran and India are considered Asian. Even Russians are sometimes considered to be Asian. 

      See also here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian .

      Asia is indeed very diverse. China is very different from Turkey. 

  • Anonymous

    hmm, any time I liken bands such as B1A4 or SHINEE to Justin Beiber and the Jonas Bros. and such is because that’s what I find their music equivalent too in Asian standards. I don’t lessen them based on race. There was no problem saying that Hyorin was Asian Beyonce or BoA is Asian Brittney Spears. Am I incorrect in categorizing acts as such because I really don’t mean to offend?

  • Aozora1290

    I dont like how this article makes it seems like asians are a special case in american entertainment. First it was african americans and they first had to carve out a niche market which unfortunately caused them to have to embrace stereotypes to even get into the industry. It’s only been within the past ten years that african americans have been able to move away from a gangsta/ghetto image in hollywood. How many black actors and actresses dont play the stereotypical gansta or angry black woman roles? It wasnt until the late 90′s that america went through a latin invasion with stars like Ricky Martin and J.LO becoming cultural icons. The latin invasion lost steam after a few years however but they were still able to grab on to a spot in Hollywood. Now it’s asians trying to do the same which is great! I’m all for it but i feel like articles like this alienate the minorities by making it seem like asians are going through a unique situation when they’re not. If anything i think the minorties in this country should stick together because they’ve all gone through similar situations when it comes to prejudices in this country. The truth of the matter is that white people are the majority in this country and on average have much better access to socioeconomic situations then the minorities. All the minorities are put at the bottom of the barrel together.
       I think the biggest issue is language barriers. For a korean artist to make it mainstream in this country they have to have a degree of fluency in english. If it’s not in english than it’s not mainstream and will never have mainstream success in america. I can tell you right now that americans are going to scratch their heads at a 9 member girl group with only 2 of them speaking. I think koreans would feel the same if a non asian american wanted to debut in korea.   I dont think there is some conspiracy to keep asians and asian americans out of hollywood. I think if you look at the film industry most asian roles are the ancient chinese traditional culture roles. All the other minorities are still western so their isnt the same level of curiosity in representing the culture in the movies. I think western audiences really appreciate those types of movies because it represents a different culture that many people havent been exposed to. I dont think it’s a matter of IF asians can find mainstream success in the west simply WHEN they will find the success.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t agree with this article at all, reason being is because to me your making it seem as if Asians trying to make it in the american market is something new to the world when really situation like this have already occurred. Take for instance African Americans pretty much have had to break their backs to get where they are today. And we as a whole are still struggling in the entertainment business. Our music really just started getting to where it is. People still take our songs. Demi Lovato took Lil’Wayne song and turned it to her own, even though wayne was clearly taking about women. Really what I’m trying to say is that if asians want a succesful career in america then try and do what we did. We created BET (Black Entertainment Television) Hell we have our own award shows that honor black when mainstream america doesn’t. If asians want real success then their going to have to step up their game. Make your own TV programs. Make your own shows. GET UP AND FIGHT. America will NEVER see you if you don’t allow yourself to be seen.

  • YeLLow

    Beyonce lip synchs too because of her powerful dance moves. Just saying. 

    • Anonymous

      Key word is powerful moves. She sacrifices singing a few of her more energetic songs to provide super intense and charismatic dance performances. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/lancemharris Lance Harris

    I’m going to stop you at that line where you say
    ” While many Americans now admit (some begrudgingly) that Asians can rap[...]”
    Because it’s almost totally unfounded.  Who are these Americans [rappers?] that stated that Asians can’t rap? Futhermore, where do you have an admission from a major rapper who used to say that he didn’t think Asians could rap, but now they can?

    I suppose you conveniently left the example out of Jin, formerly of Ruff Ryders? Guy was a Chinese-American rapper and used to KILL IT during freestyles, where many of his opponents would have no choice but to diss him because of his race.. and they would fail spectacularly.
    (YouTube “Jin Freestyle” if you don’t believe me.)

    The point is, most people in hip-hop don’t really care what race you are, so long as you can spit fire/make hot beats/dance your ass off. (Another case in point — Junko, the Japanese dancer who became the first non-Jamaican Dancehall Queen in 2002.) No one gets a free pass for being a minority of any kind — female, white, asian. You stay on your grind and take what you can get.

    Please do your research, Seoulbeats, before you make claims such as that one. :(

    • Anonymous

      Agreed. There are plenty of underground Asian rappers who have skill. The issue is, underground hip-hop doesn’t get nearly the attention mainstream pop-rap does.

    • Anonymous

      I think she was talking about attitudes in the mainstream. Underground, I’m sure it’s very different. I’ve heard of Jin before, but can you say that the majority of the people on this site recognize his name as well? Jin may be well-known among circle of people more directly involved with the hip-hop underground (and it is true among those circles that respect for skill can certainly trump race), or the Asian-American circle, but I don’t think his name really has much recognition in the actual mainstream.

      I disagree with the author in exactly the opposite way — I don’t think that the mainstream has come to acknowledge that Asians as a whole can rap at all. There’s the rare success story of Far East Movement, but people either aren’t even aware that they are Asian, or they view them as an anomaly. There are a handful of successful half-Asian artists (mostly with Filipino blood in them), but most people don’t even know that.

      I think the one entertainment realm in which Asians HAVE been recognized in the mainstream media is actually hip-hop dancing, thanks to shows like ABDC.

  • Quentina

    I can’t imagine their interviews. Americans would hold Jessica and Tiffany to a higher standard because they are the native speakers of the group, but neither of them present intelligent opinions and America is going to write them off as a couple of bimbos.

    • Guest

      Couldn’t agree more… What’s worse is that the Korean media seems to really emphasize on the fact that they are “fluent” speakers (asking Tiffany and Jessica to speak fluent English conversations during variety shows to entertain the Korean-speaking audience and everyone getting all excited when they talk about Gossip Girls). And I bet a lot of delusional k-pop fans are SO excited that their unnies will dominate the American market and impress interviewers with their English. While I agree that Jessica and Tiffany can hold up a basic conversation, being an intelligent spokesperson on behalf of a 9-member group, and by extension, your company (SM), your country’s culture/the Hallyu wave itself, is a completely different story. There will be a LOT of cultural and social obstacles in the American pop culture/media concerning Asian artists making it mainstream, and only a person with a high level of social awareness and for a lack of a better word, vocabulary, will be able to handle it and bridge the cultural distance. Just my thoughts…

  • http://twitter.com/waver3r Kasia

    Same goes for Asian-Europe. Sometimes I feel ashamed of being considered ‘white’ before ‘human’. It’s sad that colour makes such a difference. Being ‘white’ doesn’t make you a better human. idek how ‘whites’ came up with something like that. Our DNA is what makes us humans, slight change would make you a chimp. Be grateful^^

  • maikxx

    No offense to anyone, but this is an issue about Asians and Asian-Americans. Why must other minorities (particularly African-Americans) always be brought into the argument? Saying “oh but African-Americans had to do this” and “African-Americans had to do that” really derails from the original point. 

    Each minority group has a unique situation, so the things that African-Americans or Latin Americans had/have to go through to make it into the American entertainment industry are not necessarily similar struggles that Asian-Americans have to go through. Seriously, just stick to the point and stop bringing up groups irrelevant to the topic in an attempt to discredit the original argument. Thanks

    • jadeorchid

      Because Kpop mimics Black culture…art,
      music,,,so on so forth. No one  trying to
      discredit the article. But to have a well rounded discussion, one must accept
      all viewpoints.

      • maikxx

        Actually no, K-Pop and other Asian music doesn’t just “mimic” Black culture, art, and music. That’s a completely ethnocentric and ignorant thing to say that Asian music isn’t unique on its own but is just an “imitation” of other styles. Yes, K-Pop is influenced by Black culture, but it is just one of the many influences of K-Pop. 

        My main issue is, why does it always have to be about African-Americans? The issue is not about them, so why would they be brought into the equation? Other minority groups can stand on their own without always having to be tied to the struggles of African-Americans. Please stop comparing African-Americans to Asians. Asians are not Black. And Black people are not Asian. Just an FYI.

        P.S. And btw, Black K-Pop fans stop trying to play oppression olympics. Black people aren’t the only ones who have been oppressed in a white supremacist society. Thanks.

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Alphonse-Mouzon/100001685338509 Alphonse Mouzon

          Your point about acknowledging the uniqueness of experiences among (and I would even argue within) different racial groups throughout American history is well-taken. Yet, given that racial minorities in the U.S. do share a history of contending with institutionalized white supremacy (much of which has occurred on the terrain of cultural production), there very well may be something important to be learned in comparing and contrasting the experiences of African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans in relationship to their experiences in mainstream U.S. pop.

          In all honesty, I wish more discourse on race would involve an analysis of the social relations between people of color; I’m quite sick that most of such discussion revolves around a racial minority group’s engagement with whites. We, as racial minorities in the U.S., are often so whitewashed that many of us rarely say
          “why do white people always have to be brought into the argument?”

        • Rini

          She just happened to bring up the issue with African Americans as it relates to the topic. And yes, K-pop does mimic black culture. You cannot deny that. If not, then why does almost every group have a rapper? Last time I checked, that came from black culture.

          P.S.
          No one is trying to play oppression Olympics here, if anything, black Kpop fans would know that trying to play oppression Olympics in the Kpop fandom is a lost cause, because everyone knows how Kpop fans act, handwaving offensive acts as “Oppa didn’t mean it”

    • Anonymous

      It’s hard to have a discussion of a racial minority group in America without comparing them to other minority groups in America. As the largest minority group in the U.S., black people and their history will naturally come up. Black people had to break down a lot barriers to get the exposure they do today; it makes sense that people would look back, see what worked/what didn’t and figure out how to adapt those methods to one’s own movement.

      • Guest

        Pssst…..I think the issue here is identitfying with a supposed wrong culture is where she’s having a problem. Ne?  Identify them with “whites” and things are cool.  It’s cool to take Pop, R&B, hip-hop and rap and claim that they are making it “Korean” when using black artists, dance movements, etc. to help them crossover.

        Fuck this Republic of Korea movement. 

  • Anonymous

    Am I wrong to cringe at the idea of SNSD being on Letterman and Kelly? The demographics of each show can’t be more different–urban white males vs. mid-western housewives. SNSD’s beauty will surely impress, particularly for the Letterman crowd. Hmm…

    The cliche about Asian Americans is that they’re destined to be the doctors, the lawyers and the accountants–career choices that provide job security. If you told your parents that you wanted to be an entertainer, you might as well hand them a gun–they’ll either kill you or kill themselves. In my experience Asian Americans also tend to have more of a racial identity crisis compared to the Blacks and the Hispanics. We want to be white, but we don’t look it.

    I am still not convinced that K-pop or Asian pop in general will have any everlasting effect in American culture, not on a large scale. For the near and semi-distant future, I believe it will remain a subculture, an acquired taste, however increasingly popular it becomes. Honestly, that’s the way I like it.

  • Vinutagiboi

    cute girls, hackneyed music,

  • Anonymous

    In all seriousness, The Wondergirls and Girls’ Generation will make a tiny, if any, splash in the great pond of America. I’ve read through a bunch of the comments already posted wanted to bring up a point that I didn’t see brought up.

    We all know that Kpop is focused primarily on image and looks. American music on the other hand doesn’t really care about that. Most of our music gets popular on the radio, not weekly music television programs. This means, SNSD (and WG) better be willing to put in a lot of effort in order to salvage any success.

    I’ve been out of the loop on mainstream American stuff for a few years now. Most of the stuff I listen to from here is indie, relatively unknown, or Youtube artists and the rest of my playlist is international, a good chunk of it coming from Kpop. But, I think the way musicians get famous in America is by getting “discovered” by someone who already has fame and slowly working your way up radio and club charts. Think Lady Gaga. A lot of the time, by the time mainstream radio listeners grab onto a single, the clubs might have been playing for weeks already. We don’t have shows where groups can “debut” and have a good chance at exposure to the public. You have to work hard to get noticed, then have the chance to perform on a show like American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, or Dancing With the Stars.

    For an Asian or Asian American to take the US music stream by storm requires something revolutionary. I don’t think language or race is a barrier necessarily if you bring something that will forever change and influence the music scene like Michael Jackson, Madonna, or Lady Gaga did. Something these American stars did that I don’t think a lot of Kpop groups have is creativity. They all wrote their own songs, directed their own music videos, movies, designed their own clothes, and they all did it in a way that was different than what was happening at the time.

    As an Asian American, I really want Asians to be able to breakthrough in American media. So far, only martial artists, and actors playing the stereotypical “nerdy Asian” have really made it. And they/we only get minor roles. Youtube has done a great deal towards the advancement of Asians in popculture with stars like NigaHiga and KevJumba (who often cite Kpop in their videos lol) and MichellePhan (who uses Jpop and Anime in her makeup tutorials from time to time.) And any Asian who has made it in the music scene is only part Asian or doesn’t seem Asian from what you hear in their music (because like I’ve mentioned looks don’t count as long as you have the skill and talent.) But as for Kpop’s contribution, I’m a little scared. I don’t think the majority of Americans will like having Kpop shoved in their faces like Justin Bieber (sorry to any JB fans, but I have yet to find one in real life.) For every fan, there will probably more than 1000 haters. The girl groups that are debuting here have to be strong.

    I’m looking forward to seeing SNSD on David Letterman and Kelly! tomorrow and Wednesday, and the Wonder Girls movie on Thursday. I just hope that they don’t make a fool of themselves on national television and give us Kpop fans a bad name.

    • http://twitter.com/LulcKathy lulcKathy

      It’s like you wrote an essay! But well said. I agree with everything you stated. 

      In my opinion, regardless of how hard they try, I don’t think either SNSD or WG will make it big (or even just mediocre) in America with what they have to offer right now, because as the article has stated, Americans are not a nation of people who would simply digest and gracefully accept something that is foreign to them. They main think oh, this is interesting, this is different. But are they going to go head over heels for it? Not really. 

      And it’s interesting how all the Kpop groups that are promoting or soon-to-be promoting in America are all girl groups, but I feel like boy groups have made bigger splashes in America than girl groups have done. At least in concerts, there are always way more fans supporting boy groups than there are fans supporting girl groups.

      As much as I love Kpop, and as much as I’m looking forward to seeing these girls promoting in America, I unfortunately just don’t see them succeeding.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FS52P3WGP37JJ6YJNRLPPBVS4E A

    For promotions, and media marketing this might be all true.
    With the internet, it’s a whole different game and I honestly think that while there ~are~ voices of dissent and prejudice, that is something that always happens when there is change. People fear what is different, they fear loss, and they fear a shifting market.

    But, I think for most people, a catchy tune is a catchy tune and if it’s played online/in a club/in a store, they’ll go to whatever resource to find it. I am not saying that it’ll become a top whatever hit but there’s always a unique way to market yourself.

    Just look at DJ Dangermouse and his Gray Album. Or Skrillex. Or the Cataracs. Or even Justin Bieber.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FS52P3WGP37JJ6YJNRLPPBVS4E A

    Also, there are indeed a lot of Asians in the music industry. They simply dont market themselves as such, though.
    (ex. Das Racist, Jay Sean, Linkin Park, Norah Jones, Yo Yo Ma, Yoko Ono, Cibo Matto, The Black Eyed Peas, FlyLeaf, No Doubt, Ne-Yo (?), James Iha, Chad Hugo, Jay Park).

    But, you’re right in saying that there’s a very limited amount of artists that point at their Asian-ness.

  • Jahnavi Sakhamuri

    i agree

  • Anonymous

    people need to stop comparing SHINee and Justin Bieber because its pissing me off. 
    SHINee has SOOOOOOO much more talent than that little kid.