Is K-pop Losing its ‘Unique Essence’? Stans Discuss Genre’s Musical Identity: ‘It’s like copies of American songs’

Netizens have discussed K-pop’s musical identity in an open forum, threading if the genre has lost its unique sound over time.

Here’s what people are saying.

Has K-pop Lost its Distinct Sound? People Discuss Genre’s Musical Identity

In a forum made by netizens, the subject of K-pop’s distinctive sound became a hot topic, sparking a discussion online. The post’s author claimed that most idols in K-pop’s fourth generation looked more like social media influencers and less on the “idol”factor.

The author wrote:

“Even in today’s fourth-gen K-pop, apart from two to three people, no one really got that celebrity look. It feels like one or two few kids, who are a bit good looking and dolled up, came on broadcast.

Nobody really looks like an ‘idol,’ and everyone just looks the same as TikTokers, influencers, and broadcast jockeys.”

The post became popular 152 plus upvotes, allowing netizens to convey their own take on the topic. On the comment section, netizens weighed in about K-pop’s unique sound, which they referred to as a “countrified”format.

They remarked:

“Before, during the time of second and third generations, K-pop had that distinct “countrified”look to it. That was the aura they delivered, but nowadays, I feel like all the idols’ songs sound like copies of American pop songs, and they’re only singing it in Korean language.”

“If they’re going to keep on this, I’ll just listen to American pop instead. Idol songs have those factors of strong pronunciation and cheap-sounding beat, that’s why it’s fun to listen to it. I’m full of the new outfits and themes, since it all looks like something I’ve already seen before.”

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As the discussion continued, netizens tackled on fourth gen idols’ stage presence, as well as star factor, and compared them to idols in the previous generations.

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“They have no star factor and can’t perform on stage, which are the biggest issues. If you reflect on the idols of second and third generations, they all have wall-worthy skills, whether in dancing and singing.”

“Watching previous’ idols stages alone can get you to tell how cool they looked. But in the fourth gen, they just look like kids who memorized a choreo for a talent show. They don’t even want to make me watch their fancams.”

“They all look like influencers.”

Meanwhile, on a separate platform, netizens expressed how natural it was to lose interest through time. Apart from this time-defining factor, they also mentioned how some of K-pop’s choreos or debut timing don’t match the idols’ real age.

Netizens commented:

“I feel like it’s natural to lose interest as you get older, as these idols get younger. I am not interested seeing 18-year-old boys attempting a hip thrust, you know? I just follow (K-pop) out of habit to see how my second and third gen faves are doing.”

“I used to be obsessed with K-pop 10 years ago. Now I just follow my third gen faves and listen to hits like NewJeans for good music. However, nowadays, I don’t think I want to stan any idols anymore, definitely not when they are all so young.”