Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Non-Asians in K-Pop
This post is not meant to be racist at all, this is just what I feel as an Asian growing up in the United States and knowing about the growing popularity of Asian culture and music. To start off this post, I'm just to be saying the thoughts in my mind about Non-Asians in K-Pop.
Culture/Traditions
I don't mean that it would be hard, but as most people know, Asians that are raised in families who value respect and other important teachings such as obedience are very likely to become used to Asian traditions of China, Japan, Korea, etc. I am a Vietnamese, but I bow to elders and to people who are older than me, age or industry. For a non-Asian to do this would be sometimes awkward for the person, but I'm not saying that everyone that isn't Asian would find it difficult, but would find it less of a habit. Whenever I see someone Asian, regardless of whether they're Chinese, Thai, or whatever Asian race they are, I will bow to them, almost like an instinct of mine. Asian cultures and traditions aren't easy to learn, they have to become habits, and I'm sure entertainment companies wouldn't exactly want to spend time on teaching Asian manners, but they'd rather you know how to act with manners.
Language
I have to admit, I think this is one of the easiest things to overcome if you're a non-Asian and you wish to become a K-Pop singer. Languages are one of the things that can be learned regardless of your race and ethnicity. It might take awhile, but if you have good pronunciation, then that's great!
Look/Image
I always dislike when someone asks if they can get into an entertainment company just because they "look like an Asian." And they're not Asian. Just because you have similar facial features to Asian people, or you think you have looks that Asians think are beautiful is going to get you in. You have double eyelids, a high nose, v-line face, small head, etc...you're going to get accepted into SM, JYP, YG, or any K-Pop company. Maybe...but just know that there are also many Asians with the same looks. This might sound kind of weird, but some Asians can sometimes tell if someone has Asian blood in them. Weird, right? But that is sort of true, there has been times where I spot someone and think that the person must have some Asian ethnicity, and it turns out that I was right. So of course you may have an "Asian" look, but if you're no percent Asian, then for you to look Asian is probably not possible, but there are always exceptions.
How You Appeal to the Public
The majority of Korean and Asian people prefer seeing Asians, especially Koreans in K-Pop. Why? That's because for so many years, Asian people have seen Caucasian and African artists, but hardly ever seeing a successful Asian. One of the other ways most Asians have been able to rise up in the entertainment world is through YouTube. YouTubers such as Ryan Higa, Wongfuproductions, and CommunityChannel have all brought Asians to be seen as serious people in the entertainment industry. Asians-Americans and Asians all throughout the world have a sense of pride when it comes to knowing about successful Asian music, movies, etc. To have a person who is not Asian to stand in one of the two platforms of entertainment that Asians are able to shine and become successful the most. A lot of Asians prefer Asians over non-Asians...I'm not saying me, because I actually have a lot more non-Asian friends due to the city I live in.
Other Notes
To be honest, I don't necessarily think many Asians would enjoy it if there are Non-Asians in the K-Pop industry. For example The Gloss, I'm not about to start listening to them anytime soon, there's just something that I can't see about it. I'm not saying you should give up, but just know that you may not be perceived by the public very well. And another time when it'd be possible would be as a publicity scene. Most Asians would just wish we could have an industry in which we're able to succeed in and not be overshadowed by other Caucasian or African artists. I'm not sure if there are other people that agree or disagree with me, I've actually done some research to see other peoples' opinion. I'm sorry if I offended anyone in any way...my blog is just for me to write my most random thoughts. ^^
Culture/Traditions
I don't mean that it would be hard, but as most people know, Asians that are raised in families who value respect and other important teachings such as obedience are very likely to become used to Asian traditions of China, Japan, Korea, etc. I am a Vietnamese, but I bow to elders and to people who are older than me, age or industry. For a non-Asian to do this would be sometimes awkward for the person, but I'm not saying that everyone that isn't Asian would find it difficult, but would find it less of a habit. Whenever I see someone Asian, regardless of whether they're Chinese, Thai, or whatever Asian race they are, I will bow to them, almost like an instinct of mine. Asian cultures and traditions aren't easy to learn, they have to become habits, and I'm sure entertainment companies wouldn't exactly want to spend time on teaching Asian manners, but they'd rather you know how to act with manners.
Language
I have to admit, I think this is one of the easiest things to overcome if you're a non-Asian and you wish to become a K-Pop singer. Languages are one of the things that can be learned regardless of your race and ethnicity. It might take awhile, but if you have good pronunciation, then that's great!
Look/Image
I always dislike when someone asks if they can get into an entertainment company just because they "look like an Asian." And they're not Asian. Just because you have similar facial features to Asian people, or you think you have looks that Asians think are beautiful is going to get you in. You have double eyelids, a high nose, v-line face, small head, etc...you're going to get accepted into SM, JYP, YG, or any K-Pop company. Maybe...but just know that there are also many Asians with the same looks. This might sound kind of weird, but some Asians can sometimes tell if someone has Asian blood in them. Weird, right? But that is sort of true, there has been times where I spot someone and think that the person must have some Asian ethnicity, and it turns out that I was right. So of course you may have an "Asian" look, but if you're no percent Asian, then for you to look Asian is probably not possible, but there are always exceptions.
How You Appeal to the Public
The majority of Korean and Asian people prefer seeing Asians, especially Koreans in K-Pop. Why? That's because for so many years, Asian people have seen Caucasian and African artists, but hardly ever seeing a successful Asian. One of the other ways most Asians have been able to rise up in the entertainment world is through YouTube. YouTubers such as Ryan Higa, Wongfuproductions, and CommunityChannel have all brought Asians to be seen as serious people in the entertainment industry. Asians-Americans and Asians all throughout the world have a sense of pride when it comes to knowing about successful Asian music, movies, etc. To have a person who is not Asian to stand in one of the two platforms of entertainment that Asians are able to shine and become successful the most. A lot of Asians prefer Asians over non-Asians...I'm not saying me, because I actually have a lot more non-Asian friends due to the city I live in.
Other Notes
To be honest, I don't necessarily think many Asians would enjoy it if there are Non-Asians in the K-Pop industry. For example The Gloss, I'm not about to start listening to them anytime soon, there's just something that I can't see about it. I'm not saying you should give up, but just know that you may not be perceived by the public very well. And another time when it'd be possible would be as a publicity scene. Most Asians would just wish we could have an industry in which we're able to succeed in and not be overshadowed by other Caucasian or African artists. I'm not sure if there are other people that agree or disagree with me, I've actually done some research to see other peoples' opinion. I'm sorry if I offended anyone in any way...my blog is just for me to write my most random thoughts. ^^
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