Psst.. it’s more than the music and pretty faces!

INTRO

K-pop = Korean pop: A form of popular music originating in South Korea. It emerged in the 1990s as a form of youth subculture, with Korean musicians taking influence from Western dance music, hip-hop, R&B and rock.

It has in the past decade become very popular due to social media and video streaming apps. For example, if you’re from the West, think back to the very first K-pop song you’ve ever heard and when – I bet it’s the famous “Gangnam style” by Psy which dropped in 2012. This was the first Youtube video to hit 1 billion views. Although people didn’t necessarily understand what was going on, it engaged people of all ages to enjoy the content.

DATA ANALYSIS

Due to the specific focus of my research, I created a Google Form to collect responses directly from people within the community I’m interested in. I know there might be some limitations with the validity and reliability of the data – such as the sample size being 46 – so this isn’t a super reliable study — but it still gives useful insights!

Here’s what I wanted to know!

1. On a scale from 1-10, how much do you feel K-pop influences your identity the most? And why?
2. Why do YOU like K-pop so much?
3. What do you think makes K-pop so popular amongst brown girls?
4. Have you ever experienced any challenges or stereotypes by being a K-pop fan?
5. Has K-pop influenced your view on your own culture and how?
6. What do you think your life would be like without K-pop?

Common themes I identified in question 2: “Why do YOU like K-pop so much?”:

Fashion and self-expression – “Fashion wise, dance wise, love the work ethic of the idols.”, “How I do my looks like fashion and makeup and how I be so careful about my digital footprint”

Emotional support and belonging – “It’s like comfort, and I see myself in them so much.”, “They’re my peace sometimes yk when ppl are too loud.”

Cultural connection and inspiration – “As a South Asian second gen immigrant in the UK.. appreciation of Eastern cultures has contributed alot to my identity”, “It helped me feel more content about coming from an Asian background.”

Friendship and community – “It’s the first proper interest I shared with my closest friend.”, “I wish I had a friend group like SEVENTEEN – goofy, supportive and full of love.”

Personal development and self-confidence – “It has a big impact on my confidence and how I feel in my own skin.”, “Being in the fandom has low-key made me forget what embarrassment even feels like 😭.”

However, will all this being said, not everyone saw it as central or significant to their identity:

• “It’s just music for me.”
• “It’s just a hobby. I don’t expect my moral grounding from it.”
• “It’s more of something that I like, not my whole life.”

This mix of responses shows that, although K-pop isn’t a prominent identity marker for all, for many it subconsciously shapes parts of their personality, interests or how they present themselves – whether that is through fashion, friendships, demeanor or just having something to look forward to!

After exploring how K-pop influences identity on a broad level, I was interested in the respondents’ personal reasons behind this connection – question 3 – the answers reveal the emotional depth behind what many dismiss as just another music genre.

Many participants gave responses that went beyond the music itself; K-pop was described as a comfort/ escape, especially during difficult moments. Majority of the participants said their variety of content (such as vlogs and variety shows) made them feel more connected to idols – not just as artists but as people: “It feels like you really know them.”. Others expressed how the industry focuses on storytelling (concepts), choreography performance and aesthetics provided them with a sense of joy and belonging which they believed was missing from Western music. Several responses also mentioned the feeling of being “apart of something bigger”, whether that was through fandoms, collectively voting for them to win awards or relating to their personalities. These responses suggest that for many, K-pop plays a role in shaping emotional identity and building community, much more than just music.

What do you think makes K-pop so popular amongst brown girls?

Cultural proximity and familiarity- brown girls relate to certain aspects of Korean culture due to similar shared values with South Asian cultures:

• Honorifics e.g. “baji/ bhai” vs “oppa/ unni”
• Respecting elders
• “Korean families are very similar to brown families.. it makes you feel at home.” – despite being foreign, familiarity with collectivism and modesty helps brown girls connect deeply.

Representation – K-pop validates non-western identities and allows people to be proud of those roots:

• “It was one of the first times we saw non-Western culture being appreciated and taken seriously.” – this contrasts to how the world treats South Asians, although we aren’t from the East, it’s the closest we’ll get for now for a sense of belonging and appreciation.
• “Seeing non-white idols be famous all over the world just hits different.”
• “K-pop shows you that you don’t have to be white to be cool or loved.” – brown girls often grow up in Western societies that make them feel marginalised; K-pop empowers them to embrace being “different”.

Escapism – K-pop offers an emotional escape from strict households and stressful expectations:

• “Most brown girls are not really allowed a social life.”
• “It’s a getaway from home life and expectations.”
• “It allows us to explore a part of ourselves we can’t find in our culture.”

K-pop becomes an emotional outlet in environment where expression is limited – a safe place to feel connection.

Fandom culture – K-pop communities provide social connection and acceptance:

• “Finding people online who share this love has made the experience infinitely better.”
• “Gives us a sense of freedom to be who we are.”

In restrictive environments, fandoms offer a platform where brown girls can express themselves freely without judgement.

Soft masculinity – It is found that K-pop male idols present a form of masculinity that is much less toxic and more emotionally vulnerable:

• “They’re not scared to be soft or emotional.”
• “Male idols can be affectionate and artistic without being called feminine.” – however I may contradict this with K-pop antis who seem to project their own potential insecurities to put them down-!

Brown girls who are raised in patriarchal cultures often find comfort in male idols who are emotionally expressive and don’t embody hyper-masculinity. Interestingly, some Western critics call those into K-pop “man haters”, funny enough the men these fans “hate” are those brought up on Western culture – this contrast highlights possible cultural biases or misunderstandings.

Have you experienced any challenges/ stereotypes by being a K-pop fan?

Many brown girls shared that being a K-pop fan came with its challenges and stereotypes. For example, some faced teasing – “childish” and “crazy” – by those who didn’t understand their passion. One participant said “People think it’s weird or obsessive like I’m too old to be into it.”. Another shared “They’re like “You’re 18 and you like K-pop?”” – suggesting that there is some pressure to “grow out” of it. Others mentioned racial assumptions e.g. “Don’t you like all Asians?” and “My family and friends telling other people I’m going to marry a Korean man 😭like please… (but if it’s Jungkook I’d be getting the rings out right now LOL)” – sorry I had to include the last part of that second one it was hilarious.

Family can also be a challenge, especially in strict households where K-pop isn’t always accepted. As one person explained: “I literally have to hide myself indulging in a hobby yk, can’t watch anything with them around, hiding albums, staying up late to watch stuff in bed with headphones on.. it sucks I can’t be open about my hobby,”. There are also misunderstandings about the language barrier; a few noted people mock them and assume they do not understand what they are listening to as if the Internet doesn’t exist – #IloveGenius.

However, many said that as K-pop’s popularity grows, these challenges have become less evident. A participant shared, “Now, more people get it, so the teasing happens less.”. Others found support online, saying, “Finding people in the fandom made me feel less alone.” Some haven’t faced direct discrimination but have noticed subtle judgment, like being given side eyes for their interests.

However, despite these challenges, many of the respondents expressed pride in this and said the fandoms they are in are seen as a safe space where they can be themselves with no fear – “It allows us to explore a part of ourselves we can’t find in our culture.”

Has K-pop influenced the way you view your own culture and how?

Many participants said that K-pop has definitely influenced how they view their own culture by similarities in discipline and family values. For instance, one respondent shared “Seeing another culture hold onto their traditions and still be global made me think maybe ours isn’t something to be ashamed of either.”. Another said, “It made me realise how much we suppress fun or creativity in our culture, especially for girls.”. It low-key exposes the flaws in your own culture – stuff you never questioned starts to feel unfair.

Still, of course I’ll include all perspectives given and not make this a one-sided argument. A few participants said that K-pop didn’t really affect how they view their own culture – “It’s just music. I don’t connect it to my culture at all.” So, while some brown girls reported deeper cultural reflection because of K-pop, others kept the two things separate, which could be due to a confounding factor such as age or how deeply they engage with the genre.

What do you think your life would be without K-pop?

This question received some of the most emotionally reflective and detailed answers in the whole Google Forms. Many respondents couldn’t imagine a version of themselves without it, not in a way that you’d call dramatic, but honest. One said, “Honestly, as dark as it sounds – I probably wouldn’t be here without BTS. K-pop helped me learn to love myself.”. This type of emotional impact elucidates how K-pop and its inclusions have acted as a support systems during major life events: “As dramatic as it sounds, K-pop was there when I was doing my GCSEs, A-levels, graduating university, getting a job in healthcare and even getting married.”

There were also practical lifestyle changes; people spoke about learning new languages, gaining the confidence to travel and even pursuing different careers due to K-pop. One participants wrote, “In the span of 4 years, I learnt Korea and studied abroad in Korea.. I think that experience changed how I view the world.”. Another added, “I think it changed a lot about how I look at the world, take up information and apply it. If I become a national-level government employee with a deep interest in geopolitics because of a playlist, it was all worth it!”

Then there were answers that were less intense but still honest, which I appreciated as it gives me a range of data to work with. Responses like: “I’d probably just be into other hobbies,” or “I think I’d be fine without it.” A few responses acknowledged they had moved on from it – “I used to be deep into it, but I’ve grown out of it now.”. Even so, the general pattern was clear – most participants felt that K-pop shaped their identity, built community and gave them something to feel excited about. One summed it up as, “Without K-pop I’d be more reserved and cold,” while another jokingly said, “I’d probably be getting more than 7s in my GCSE’s”.

ANECDOTE

This research isn’t focused on numbers — it’s mainly about the rich, personal stories and experiences that provide deeper insights into what it means to be a K-pop fan like me. I’m a brown girl who doesn’t fit the typical image people visualise when they think of a K-pop stan. I don’t go to concerts nor spend my savings to win a fancall with my bias, but I still value it as a reminder that connection doesn’t have to be loud.

For me, groups like ENHYPEN are more than just a K-pop group — they’re a quiet source of comfort even from miles away. Watching their variety show “Eno’clock” genuinely brightens my day. It may seem minor, but “Just got to make it to Thursday” has become the new “Just got to make it to Friday” for me!

That might sound pathetic to non-K-pop stans, but I’ve come to not care. People will criticise you for anything — you can’t please everyone. So let them hate; I’m sorry they’re miserable while I know what makes me happy, lmao!

This feeling differs from when I hyperfixate on Western celebrities or groups because with K-pop, you can tell the artists really appreciate their fans. It’s nice to feel like you’re part of something, even if you’re not the one on stage. For example, ENHYPEN has won a few awards and they always start their speeches with “Engene!” — such a small thing, but it makes me feel appreciated, even though I’m just “One In A Billion.”