Is K-Pop an example of positive Nationalism?

Nationalism in general is a touchy subject. To even think of it as positive is something few ever do, but it here's the real question: can Nationalism be good? More specifically, for our purposes: can Nationalism through music ever be good? Thanks to a class I took during my final semester in university, I was able to really explore this topic. This post is actually a summary of my final paper. I'll provide a link at the end if anyone feels like reading more (and checking my sources, since they're all in there). So, here we go!

Think about it: National Anthems are symbols of nations, and most take pride in their nation's anthem, singing it proudly at local sporting events or even school events, and on internationally stages like FIFA and the Olympics. Countries even claim composers and certain pieces as their own, and make it a representation of their nation. For example, Czech composer Smetana and his piece "The Moldau" is considered a "Czech piece." It's a symphonic poem that is a tribute to his homeland. It features music inspired by the landscape of and even folklore from the Czech Republic. "The Moldau" showcases the pride and joy Smetana has in his country, and it has been representative of the nation and it's orchestral music for years now. All of these are examples of nationalism through music.

In terms of how kpop is nationalist on a purely national level, kpop is actually funded by the South Korean government. After the financial crisis in the 1990s, the South Korean thought it would be a great idea to reinvest in themselves through music/entertainment industry. They helped fund entertainment companies and even set up laws and policies that helped things like noraebangs (karaoke rooms) thrive. When they set up the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, they dedicated a division to kpop to help all things Korean culture- and music-related to be developed and export it also ted. The South Korean government even limited the amount of foreign media played on the radio and on TV. Think of all the kpop stars and actors that feature in coveted commercials/CFs for brands that aren't even South Korean. Yes, it brings the brand and the groups/idols massive visibility and popularity, but as of 2008, South Korea had a policy where a maximum of 40 percent of all music content on TV could be foreign. All things considered, kpop and South Korea fall under Michael Cloonan's "promotional" relationship framework, where music is an asset to the country and economy.

But this isn't what makes kpop nationalist. No no no, not at all. Well, it does, but that would be too easy, wouldn't it? What makes kpop nationalist, in my opinion, is the transnationality of it all. Kpop has managed to blend musical genres and cultures in a way that has enabled the genre and artists in it to appeal to people all over the world. Japanese sociologist Koichi Iwabuchi defines people connected to transnationality as those that “are not confined to the nation-state or to nationally institutionalized organizations; they may range from individuals to various (non)profitable, transnationally connected organizations and groups, and the conception of culture implied is not limited to a “national” framework” (Jung). So many people, so many parties, push kpop forward. The fans, artists, companies, government. It's a blend of Korean and non-Korean individuals/entities. Fans can be found all across the world. Artists often speak multiple languages, besides Korean. They release music in Spanish, English, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin. The artists themselves are not always Korean. NCT is a perfect example. Members are Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, American, Canadian. All of these things help enter the international music game much more easily, and it gives them a leg up. They can connect with fans so much more than Western artists.

Additionally, kpop evolved from Japanese enka. Korean popular music began as pansoori, evolved to trot, then, in 1992, the legendary kpop group Seo Taiji and the Boys hit the South Korean citizens with "Nan Arayo (I Know)". Each evolution brought external music influences, starting with Japanese. Then, as it moved forward, it brought in waltz-like ballads, then hip-hop, then R&B, then Western pop, then EDM, and the list goes on and on and on. It was that first Seo Taiji and the Boys song though, that marked the beginning of modern-day kpop, and kicked off the first generation of kpop.

So what makes kpop nationalist? It's the fact that the genre is transnational. What makes it markedly "Korean" is that kpop blends cultures and languages and even ethnicities within groups. It is the ability to know how to change their sound to connect with the audience and other countries and cultures without erasing its own identity. It maintains a "kpop" sound and visual. Most importantly, regardless of blended genres, languages used, ethnicities within the groups, it all promotes Korea, and THAT makes it nationalist. People who take pride in kpop and recognize it as uniquely Korean, not just because it is music in Korean or because the singers are Korean, take pride in the fact the kpop has helped put South Korean on the map. Kpop has drawn the world's attention to South Korea. Those that take pride in that take pride in Korea as well. Therefore, with all of this considered, kpop is an example of positive nationalism. It promotes South Korea, and people acknowledge and take pride in the fact that it is Korean, above all, Korean.

HERE is the link to the final paper I mentioned. I'm open to any and all academic discussion about this! Feel free to comment and respond! :)

See y'all in the next post!

#kpop #music #nationalism #analysis