r/kpopharshopinions

Imo paving the way was a joint effort. However, BTS was 100% definitely part of that joint effort. I dunno why people still try to deny their impact.

Toxic 'armies' who use this statement for the sake of idiotic fanwars and to discredit other groups' achievements can make a non army/ bts hater disagree with this statement. So when they hear 'bts helped pave the way/ bts paved the way', they automatically think of these scenarios.

What im trying to say is when you push aside the toxicity associated with this statement, it's something that is hard to deny. Paving the way is never supposed to discredit other talented groups/idols like how stan culture has led us to believe. Dislike them all u like, its completely fine cause its your opinion, but give credit where credit is due.

Anyways what's you guy's opinion on this? :3

Edit- I thought i tried to bring more nuance to this topic, but it's either that yall read the title only and commented or it's just a tough crowd out there 💁🏿‍♀️.

Tldr of it all I said lots of idols paved the way including bts whether u like it or not, but toxic armies make people feel otherwise.

I feel like kpop is the genre where people go there mostly for the things surrounding it rather than the actual music because if we see the music itself its either:

1 to 1 replication of a trending song within the western market

"""Noise music"""" which is really watered down hyperpop or rave music

Hyper tik tok optimized tracks

Like its fun to listen too when you turn your brain off but most dont have any sort of artistic throughline or substance, mostly because k pop idols dont produce thier own songs. (With a few exceptions) Like early Bts who had very deep themes within the music they produced (like wings era was peak) and though Im not a straykids fan I heard that they too produced thier music, and G-Idle has soyeon who writes for her group (I still feel like her peak was nxde but that was my opinion)

Listen before you tussle with me, I was a hardcore k pop fan, and a brief katseye stan but as I started to venture out of music outside of kpop over the years I realized that k pop doesnt cut it anymore. Like music outside of kpop especially genres I LOVE like trip hop and hyperpop prides themselves off of experimentation and they dont try to copy a song one to one for profit. Rather they take inspiration and build off of eachother to make something new. Though I like gnarly and pinky up due to thier experimental sound, why would I choose Katseye over Sophie when I can easily listen to her instead? Why would I choose a water down version when the original and frankly better excecuted song is right around the corner unless I have a deep attachment to the idols in question?

Im not saying that inspired and meaningful k pop songs dont ever exist. They do, but its drowned out by the other songs constantly vying for your attention by peddling their own kpop versions of trending songs. And the algorithm simply promotes it more.

Im NOT saying that western music and non kpop music is this bastion of artistic freedom and creativity, its not.

(Like ice spice and taylor swift are still popular and are as unisnpired as they come) However they still have a bit more room to put out the artistic expression that they want to, and unfortunately most k pop idols dont have that luxury. And thier companies (ESPECIALLY the big 4) are only concerned with profit, and whats easier than to make a copy of an already trending song but make it kpop and sell photocards of your idols! Its because they know they are really selling one thing, and it aint music.

Edit: ngl I was expecting to get flamed but Im glad that we are having good discussion here! Also Im open to reccomendations !

so I've seen people saying hes homophobic and I dont agree with that at all. The reason why I think that is 1. I wouldn't want to play the pepero game either, no matter if im doing it with the same or opposite gender, because some people have boundaries. 2. sungho is straight, so he shouldn't be forced to do something like that. 3. even if sungho was gay, he still shouldn't be forced to do it, because some people might be uncomfortable with kissing/almost kissing people, like if I was a lesbian and a girl wanted to do the pepero game with me, I would say no, because it makes me uncomfortable and i dont have anything against that either because i have a lot of lgbtq+ friends that i like. so my main point here is even if someone was gay, lesbian, or bisexual etc, it doesn't make them automatically want to do the pepero game with any gender they are attracted to. Now maybe its because im straight and am not aware, so if anyone in any of those communities could tell me why it may homophobic, that'd be very helpful.

I’ve seen a lot of people talking about K-pop idols using AAVE and about cultural appropriation, so I wanted to share my opinion. Please don’t flame me.

First of all, I don’t think every situation is the same. You can’t really compare what Kiss Of Life did to groups like Aespa using some AAVE in WDA or CORTIS being criticized for AAVE and Martin’s blaccent. What Kiss Of Life did was much more blatant and crossed a completely different line.

I also don’t think every idol uses AAVE with racist intentions. I think a lot of them are trying to come across as cool, funny, relatable, or trendy. Personally, I also think some idols don’t want to come across as “too Asian”, instead of just acting naturally, they sometimes put on a persona they think international fans will find cooler or more relatable, I mean that’s the impression I get.

Before writing this, I looked up examples of AAVE because I wanted to be more informed. I found out that words like “bruh” and “lowkey” originated from AAVE. And so many teenagers use words like that without even knowing where they came from. But there are also expressions and speech patterns that are much more closely tied to black culture, and I think those are different. For example things like “I be ___” or “get yo *ss in here” or putting on a blaccent isn’t the same as casually saying “bruh”, like that’s clearly black people speech.

That’s why, when it comes to CORTIS, Their use of AAVE isn’t in a racist way, more like they don’t know, except when they’ve acc use the aave that’s obviously black people speech like that on interview where martin said “who gon leave” or smth. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Still, I don’t think Martin’s blaccent is excusable. To me, it feels like he’s putting on a persona because he thinks it sounds cool. I don’t necessarily think he’s doing it out of hatred or racism, but I still think it’s inappropriate because he clearly knows he’s changing the way he speaks.

The Christmas controversy also came to mind. Personally, it felt more like they were trying to act “hard” or imitate a certain “from the hood” image. Again, this is where I think the “trying not to seem too Asian” idea comes in. It feels like they’re trying to fit an image of what they think is cool (that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a bad idea, personally it honestly just gave me massive second hand embarrassment seeing teenagers try to act like they’re from a gang or tough lmao).

My first thought wasn’t that they were specifically trying to imitate black gangs. To me, it just looked like they were copying a stereotypical “gangster” image in general (if anything, it’s a hispanic gang what comes to mind, because that’s what i’m used to). That said, I completely understand why many fans interpreted it differently, especially given the history of black culture being stereotyped and appropriated.
**But i saw fans saying there were some other kids that did that tiktok doing to same thing and they were just recreating it, so idk.

Also, I think it’s important to separate intent from impact. I don’t believe every idol who uses AAVE is trying to be racist. I think a lot of them are copying internet culture because they think it makes them seem cooler. But that doesn’t mean the impact is harmless. If you’re borrowing language, speech patterns, or cultural elements from a community that has faced discrimination for those same things, it’s understandable why people wouldn’t like it.

I don’t have anything against Cortis, I’m trying that it doesn’t look like that but it’s just what is kinda recent.

*English isn’t my first language so i may have made some mistakes while writing this i’m sorry i hope it still understandable.

First I’m black. Of course I know this is a wild take, but I genuinely think some controversies in kpop regarding race aren’t that big of a deal. When you inflate problems that aren’t that deep, real racism gets swept under the rug and excused.

Someone wearing cornrows just isn’t that deep to me. That shouldn’t warrant the same amount of hate as someone who says slurs and insults. Idols doing hip hop concepts, I really don’t care and most times end up liking it. That is not on the same level as someone promoting racist politics.

I just think there’s levels too it and people are all way too reactive. Some things are just a little insensitive, not every single thing is fully racist. It’s actually more racist to try and virtue signal and point fingers. Whataboutism is annoying. And I really only care about the opinions of other black people because even if they disagree they have the right to say whatever.

I know racists when I see them. I live among confederates and have even dealt with the kkk, so I think from experience I have a right to say some things just aren’t that deep

Idols should be treated as humans and not like they shouldn't be doing or experiencing human/adult things ie. dating٫ sweating٫ smoking٫ swearing٫ liking other genders٫ what they wear etc.

And some idols should retire or just do promotions I get they had a good run if the music is good ok but they should chill they dont need to hurt their backs or knees.

Don’t get me wrong I like K-pop I just don’t get why some of the people feel the need to do the most especially the crazy or toxic fans. Hunny they don’t know you don’t go into their house or stalk them it’s not cute.

I'm so tired of opening the comments under someone's post and seeing nothing but, "You look like Yunjin," "You remind me of Wonyoung," "Is that Karina?" "You look like Chaewon," or whatever idol people can think of.

Can people just exist without immediately being compared to a celebrity? Not every face has to be matched to a K-pop idol. It's like some people can't look at a person without turning it into a guessing game.

And don't even get me started on idols' siblings. They'll post something completely unrelated—traveling, cooking, graduating, hanging out with friends—and the comments are flooded with people talking about their famous sibling instead of what they actually posted. They have their own lives, their own personalities, and their own accomplishments. It's honestly annoying how so many people refuse to see them as individuals.

Not everyone needs to be compared to a K-pop idol, and not every sibling of an idol exists just to remind people of the idol. Sometimes people are just... people.

So guys im a stay since debut and my bias had always been Chan,recently i've saw a youtube video talking abt "Bangchan making the worst move with Stays" i was like oh- so i clicked on the video,listened to the arguments,then i've read some comment and i was so confused...like i agree but at the same time i don't. Some have said he is narcissist (i dont agree) some have said he needs to understand that Stays are just strangers and not his friends and because he doesn't understand that,toxic stays cross the line. And others says someone should handle his chat on bubble because the way he communicates is too "friendly or intimate" i don"t agree with ts one cuz an artist need to communicate with his fans to actually grow a bigger fanbase or just informing them. okay some of them can get parasocial i get it but ppl would harass him if he was actually acting like ya'll wanted. anyways...what's u guys opinion cuz im still figuring mine out lmao.

I think this happens to everyone, we all have different taste! I personally don’t really like Lemon Tang as of right now.

No hate towards him but sometimes i feel that he is kind of overrated (not visuals he is beautiful) but in terms of talent and his voice.

For me his voice was never a standout and i didn't even notice that, but sometimes people overreact a bit and act like he is the only one in kpop with a deep voice. And tbh in that aspect people should praise 3racha their producer unit who literally know how to utilise his voice otherwise felix won't be felix which people actually praises. Because other groups who have deep voices they are not as praised as felix. And why i said that because i saw a literal fanwar where his solos are saying "COOKING LIKE CHEF I AM A FIVE STAR MICHELIN" famous line of stray kids made what stray kids is.

I agree that line of felix made many people interested and if it was written by some other company appointed lyricist then many people might've ignored it but it was written by the member Han of 3racha keeping in his voice in mind so disregarding those members is something i never appreciate. And it also proves that they know how to utilise him.

Secondly, some fans argue that he is an all-rounder like he can write songs, he is a great dancer and also a good singer. Because they are his fans and wants to prove he doesn't need stray kids to remain relevant.

All the points mentioned is my opinion regarding felix why he is overrated as an all-rounder artist.

1.) his singing is just average good to listen but I actually don't prefer it when full song is in his voice (maybe i am not into deep voice)

2.) his rapping is good but tbh skz has prolific rappers han and changbin and in front of them he is doesn't stands out except his deep voice and visuals.

3.) his songwriting is also a bit average. Maybe skz producer unit has a big influence on other members which makes them write their own songs and few have written good songs too but i am not a big fan of his writings as well and the reason why is,

"It's that (ooh), it's that (ooh) beast mode, as Rengar calls it

Got trophies in the bag, 'cause of Stay, we lock in, yeah, yeah"

These are the lines of a song called truman, and as felix is a fan of LOL these references made the song not to my liking and felt the first half (written by him) a bit childish.

Maybe it's just me who is not into deep voices and sometimes when i see literal fanwars over this and how they disregard the whole group just to uplift him is a bit disrespectful towards the group and their hardwork. And the way they are constantly trying to project him as feminine and androgynous is also annoying.

1: Ahyeon, a classic. Although her fans don’t want to admit it,she’s just yelling whenever there’s a high note.

2: All of ITZY, if there’s a slightly higher note, you best believe these girls will scream their lungs out. I don’t even know if any of them can sing stable as it is.

3: Winter, i cannot wrap my head around her being considered a good vocalist when she’s just screaming and screeching in my ear during high notes,making songs unlistenable and annoying. Maybe if you remove that she’s an average singer.

4: Nayeon, she needs to stop trying to do high notes because it’s not working out for me. she should just focus on singing in her range since she’s not a bad singer if she stays in her lane and stops trying to ruin her vocal cords. I have to skip parts where her so called high notes appear since it’s just outright screaming.