Mar 10, 2021
K-Pop: Redefining Attractiveness for Men
The rise of K-pop in America wasn’t a quick process, and its struggles took a toll on some groups (see: Wonder Girls, SNSD, 2NE1). Each tried to break in to the American market with English songs, collaborations with Western artists, and variety show appearances, but none left their mark. The difficulty stemmed from the Big 3 companies (SM, YG, JYP) overestimating their popularity overseas and not understanding the market, but also from lack of Asian exposure in America.
However, each attempt weakened the barrier and allowed for the new guard to enter. They have the fallen to thank as martyrs: a necessary sacrifice for the glorious, BTS-dominated life we live today.
…mostly kidding — but we do have a lot to be thankful for from BTS. Regardless of who’s truly the cause, the popularity and acceptance of K-pop by Westerners has, and continues to, slowly shift both public and personal perception of Asians. It wasn’t long ago that the makeup-laden pop groups of yore were ridiculed for their style, instead of imitated and revered as they are today. I mean…we still tease because 2PM’s styling was not great during this era, but I digress.
I’ve heard that I “look like one of those BTS boys,” a few times, thanks to my dyed-silver hair. I’d only been told I tried too hard to “look like an anime character” before this and I have to say, I do prefer the new comments.
Let me provide some context: I’ve always been a little ‘too Asian’ to fully empathize with my American friends, but not Asian enough for native Asians. Beyond the standard Asian-American issues many first or second generation immigrants will encounter, my issue was that I loved Asian pop-culture too much and ignored all else.
While Power Rangers and the English-version Pokémon series were in vogue, I was watching Japanese-language DVDs of One Piece and Naruto bought from shady street vendors in Taiwan.
(In case you’re wondering: Yes, I did own a Konoha headband — unironically.)
It was encouraged by family to assimilate the best you could and to avoid being the “other.” Not out of shame, but to make it easier to survive in what was also new territory for immigrant parents. Of course, not everyone listens to their parents. While others were out playing hooky and partying, my rebellious phase was cycling through ostentatious hair colors. In contrast to most rebellious teens though, I was not cool for liking anime. Weird, right?
Previously, the “idols” of my life, and were either: a) a blonde, fox-human ninja, or b) a boy pirate whose notable ability was being made out of rubber.
When Korean music/idols came along, I thought nothing of it. “It’s just a phase!” I said laughing, almost a decade ago; yet, here I am still waiting on IU’s newest album to drop. Little did I expect it to be such major influence on both myself and my friends.
During university, I picked up a part-time gig at a karaoke place where JYP’s hit group, Big Bang, repeatedly played on the lobby TVs, and before long I was humming “Heaven” at any time of day. “Abracadabra” by Brown Eyed Girls soon replaced “GO!!!” by Flow as my ringtone, and I picked up Korean 1A to pass my language studies requirement.
However, instead of my obsession isolating me as anime previously did, it empowered me. The style that I’d had since childhood: unnecessary accessories, flashy hair, eccentric clothing, was popularized by groups like Shinee and Super Junior. It was a fountain of self-confidence. K-pop hadn’t yet become as expansive as it is now, but knowing that real people that looked like me were famous somewhere was a game-changer. It was a strange feeling, learning to be comfortable in my own skin.
Representation DOES matter. Most recently, the film Crazy Rich Asians experienced record-breaking success in Hollywood featuring an all-Asian cast. However, these were still Hollywood-movie-star Asians; the leading men are traditionally masculine. There are several articles vying for more Asian in media because they can also be “hunky” or “sexy” but these are largely western sensibilities. Asian men from K-pop showed us something different: though slender and soft-featured, they could still be the stars. Even Shindong, known for his rotund figure, celebrates a large following.
One of the biggest culture shocks during my time abroad in Korea were the compliments from coworkers and even strangers. When I first arrived, the school’s soccer coach, a muscular, well-built man (who also wore BB Cream & foundation on the daily), lamented that he wished he’d looked like me: “You’re so thin and have a small face.”
Coming from Southern California — where the tanned, strong-jawed male was the ideal — I doubted my coworker’s sincerity. One of the most consistent phrases I heard from family, friends, and even strangers was, “You need to eat more, you’re too skinny!” I always thought I was cognizant of media’s influence on society (I blame my liberal arts degree), but I overlooked how much it had groomed me to envy a certain body type and dislike my own.
When I returned to the States, it was during the height of Psy and EXO, and also the third annual KCON, which had doubled its attendees from 20k to 42k, with less than 10% of them Korean. People were flocking to see IU, Teen Top, and most importantly, G-Dragon.
For the uninitiated, G-Dragon is widely considered to be one of the most recognizable K-pop icons, and for good reason. On top of being a celebrated singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer, his views on fashion and gender are innovative. As the face of Big Bang, it’s safe to say he’s had a heavy hand in broadening Korea’s views on masculinity. He’s championed very diverse styles, with little regard for who the clothing might have been intended for.
While the fashion sense of K-pop idols doesn’t wholly translate to everyday American fashion, it’s much more common to see elements of their outfits woven into daily fashion. The expansion of Korean skincare has also dramatically increased in recent years. My male friends who previously scoffed at the idea of a routine beyond plain soap and water, are now developing their own collection of toners, serums, and moisturizers. It’s not unusual for men to aspire to have flawless skin, as ridiculous as it sounds.
Nowadays, the youth are much more progressive than their elders (myself included); it’s 2018 and heteronormativity is going out of style. The industry isn’t without its flaws, but has seen remarkable growth in the past years. Though I’ll always look up to Luffy, I hope that BTS and the other leaders in K-pop broaden the Western ideal of beauty, and bolster self-confidence in others the same way it has for me.
