Today in workshop my group finalised the script for our audio and video essay. Our approach is to capitlise on the video essays visuals and thus use that essay as a more informative overview of what an institution is and means today, and how K-POP follows Hodgson’s modernised appropriation of the term. In the audio however, we will take a more personalised approach using the medium as an education forum, structuring the arguments for and against K-POP being an institution as a debate.
Attached is the video essay’s script. It is structured in a way that reflects the video’s visual progression and theme.
Geoffrey Martin Hodgson (1946-present), a Research Professor of Business Studies in the University of Hertfordshire, discusses through his descriptive text ‘What are Institutions’ 2006, that the term ‘institution’ is a sociological definition that is in urgent need for A modernized revamp. The term nowadays transcends its traditionalist connotations and requirements, instead reflecting areas of study that inherit society with the rise of Media 2.0. His 1) requirement states that institutions must have conventions and formal rules and 2) that these rules must concern the interaction and function of their agents’ habits and beliefs. His 3) point exemplifies why the term needs a cognitive shift, as be aware technological mediums transcending previous tangible platforms. We must focus on the way these platforms promote certain societal behavior and conduits governance over collectivist communities.
Thus, K-POP, “(an abbreviation of Korean pop; Hangul: 케이팝) a musical genre originating in South Korea that is characterised by a wide variety of audiovisual elements” exemplifies how institutions can become abstract within our contemporary world. Following its liberation in 1945 from Japanese occupation, South Korea had continued presence of the U.S. military. As America’s political regimes spread throughout South Korea, so did its music and arts that was gradually accepted and interpreted by Korean culture. By the new millennium, K-POP music emerged from chrysalis to the k-pop we know today. Through the introduction of cable TV, catalyst to the post-broadcast transition, Korea along with other countries sold content over seas to create the hundreds of channels we now have at our fingertips daily. This flourished K-POP’s success through its global stage that due to it’s unique take on pop-culture has had repeated appearances on the Western music charts such as Billboard and South Korea’s cultural exports. In 2008, (including television dramas and computer games) South Korea’s cultural exports rose to US$2 billion, maintaining an annual growth rate of over 10%.
Now, we can interpret K-POP as a media institution that follows the platform of Media 2.0’s globalized network, however it is it’s institutionalized practices and governance of ‘idols’ that really affirms its title as an institutions within Hodgson’s modern world. Due to its unique stylisation and product, K-POP has attracted millions of followers around the world. As followers/ fans of ‘idols’ – a term actually used by K-POP that references their chosen celebrities – most of us only noticed the glamourous and entrancing appearance of these elevated individuals. However, under this hypnotic vial there are lots of harsh requirements that concern the success of individuals, governing by a selected few that interprets the institutions habits and function of enterprise and cultural appropriation.
DONE!
Before k-pop ‘idols’ are qualified and ready to ‘debut’, they go through a tough selected process ranging from personal interviews to dancing auditions. The successful few, out of competitors of the thousands, are chosen off looks and talent and then asked if they are able to enter the entertainment industry and start their training. Now, training goes beyond our Western ideas of voice coaches and reality TV programs, as K-POP trainees get taught how to survive being a celebrity, and thus a figurehead for K-POP’s institution and Korea’s cultural ambition. Signing, dancing and acting are the basic skills that an idol are required to know, however, they are also taught how to walk/sit, laugh, introduce themselves, how to show their talent etc. Now, this is all unpaid meaning that for the amount of time this individual is in training for, which by the way can be for years — example of K-POP idol who has been since kid— isn’t recognised as progressive unless they qualify for a once in a lifetime achievement of being debuted. There isn’t a limit time for training maybe one year maybe ten years, we can always hear from the idol’s interview, they say trainers’ life are hopeless and drawn-out, because there isn’t an endline for them to count on. A girl in idol group ‘twice’ is called Jihyo, who has stayed in the JYP entertainment for 10 years as a trainer, on the day of her debut showcase she was tearing up for the whole song which caused Jihyo couldn’t sing properly. She said she dreamed this moment almost every night, but she cannot believe herself when this moment has arrived.
conclusion
Reaching millions and with many more avid followers, the supremely refined musical stylings of kpop- whether you love or hate it- echo across the globe.
Having powerful influence through fashion, make up, dance etc South Korea has become the encompasses Asian pop culture, spilling into Western culture catalyst to Media 2.0’s globalisation. K-POP’s pursuit and false obtanity of utter perfection upholds well established ideals, but it comes at a cost. K-POP’s promotion of Idols that transcend societal norms and reality, which are then embodiment in fans’ dreams and desires, masking how the shrouded climb to stardom is arduous and often cruel.
The star factory process behind the scenes that dictates the export of talent, following formulaic and precise set of rules and regulations. Exposed to girls through the media however is plain advocacy that doesn’t address this insitution’s omnipresent training and fixation on perfection. K-POP’s institutions are not just what we can see upon first glance. To identify a modern institution, we must closely analyse the true nature of an establishment. Adroit in the art of the mastering the media kpop is (PROFOUND STATEMENT LINKING TO MEDIA)