Dear readers, I continue to introduce you to excerpts from my book "Angels drink milk".
In Korean youth culture "idols"[1] are like gods!
Korean pop culture (K-pop
culture), largely incorporating Western fashion, still differs in its Asian
authenticity, expressed in a mix of styles of pop, rap and rock with a large
emphasis on visual and computer effects. But who is an idol? To put it simply,
an idol is a representative of Korean popular culture, mainly of a young age,
who is not burdened with any other occupation other than stage, concert,
touring, and PR performances in the media. Usually idols are guys and girls
under the age of 25, maximum 30 years, who are not married and do not have
children. An idol isn't master of his fate "he is the property of the
Agency that hired him, bound hand and foot by the obligations of the contract.
Several major music agencies control the entire Korean pop music industry with
their iron hands. Thousands of young boys and girls dream to get a little
closer to their idols, give them gifts, and know everything about their life outside
the stage. These desires are facilitated by the development of information
technologies: reality shows and broadcasts with idols are created, and it is
possible to communicatewith them through forums, social pages, and video
conferences, especially given the fact that South Korea is the world leader in
the production of technical devices and information support. Needless to say
that thousands of young people would dream of becoming idols for at least a
couple of hours, to get fame, money and become popular.
The wave of idol fanaticism
did not pass by Jin-Ho and her friends. First, all the girls were in love with
the members of "Infinity boys" band, and secondly,
they in their heart wanted to become idols for someone. Well, noother dream can
fascinate 20-year-old girls! They counted the hours until the next concert,
bought t-shirts and caps with images of their idols, listened to their songs on
CDs, sang along. And if any girl managed to get an autograph at a concert or
touch her favorite, then all her friends and acquaintances envied her, she did
not wash her hands for weeks! Friends tried to buy or beg for autographs as
gifts. In general, all this fanaticism can only be called madness!
[1] Korean pop idol or simply "idol" is a term applied to South Korean musicians and singers who have signed a contract with one of the labels.
