Due to its frequent use in K-pop culture and music, Korea-style English, also known as “Konglish,” has become increasingly popular. Korean pop music or K-pop is a genre of popular music originating in South Korea that has gained a global following in recent years.
Several artists such as BTS, Blackpink, and EXO are climbing the charts and performing greatly at several major festivals.
In spite of the fact that the music is Korean, there are so many English lyrics in their music. English as a global business or “lingua franca” has a great deal when used to facilitate communication internationally.
There is no doubt that the language can be used in multiple languages to communicate, but K-pop, which uses many English words in its music, is quite popular with this use of the language. Due to its frequent use, Korean-style English was born and called “Konglish” by several people due to their unique English words.
Konglish is a mixture of Korean and English words and phrases, often used in informal settings like casual conversations and social media posts. It has become a defining feature of K-pop music, with many K-pop groups incorporating Konglish phrases into their lyrics and even using them as song titles.
One reason for the popularity of Konglish is the global appeal of K-pop. As K-pop has gained popularity worldwide, fans from different countries have become exposed to Konglish and have begun incorporating it into their own language use as well.
Although not every K-pop song includes English, a very nuanced and interesting question is the increasing popularity itself. The Korea-style English does not necessarily write to impress its audiences but to gain masses and popularity with its own culture. Thanks to its distinctive blend of addictive melodies and lyrics, English in K-pop would be interesting to look upon.
The Development of English in South Korea
English has become an important language in South Korea due to its growing importance in international business, education, and culture. The development of English in South Korea has been influenced by a range of factors, including historical, political, economic, and social factors.
It was under Japanese colonial rule that English was first taught in Korea in the late 19th century. However, English education spread throughout the country only after the Korean War (1950-1953).
The United States played a significant role in this process by providing aid and support to South Korea, which included the provision of English-language materials and teachers. Therefore, people after this war started to add their new language learning from Korean to English.
English development in South Korea has been heavily influenced by the government politically. In the 1960s, the government established a national curriculum that emphasized the teaching of English as a foreign language in schools. This curriculum has since been revised several times to keep pace with changes in the global economy and to improve the quality of English education.
The development of English in South Korea has been shaped by a variety of historical, political, economic, and social factors. While English education is becoming more common in Korea, there is debate about its appropriate role in the country and how to balance English proficiency with Korean culture and language preservation. Currently, English in Korea is heavily influenced by the entertainment industry, especially the K-Pop culture.
Korean Multilingualism
Korea is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant modern society. In recent years, the country has become increasingly diverse, with a growing number of international residents and visitors. As a result, multilingualism has become an important topic of discussion in Korea.
As a linguistically homogeneous society, Korea relies heavily on the Korean language for communication. However, with the influx of foreigners and the rise of globalization, the country has begun to embrace multilingualism. Today, many Koreans speak multiple languages, and the government has taken steps to promote language learning and cross-cultural understanding.
One of the most significant drivers of multilingualism in Korea is the country’s education system. English proficiency has long been emphasized in Korean schools, and many students begin learning English at a young age.
In recent years, however, the government has expanded language education to include other languages such as Chinese and Japanese, reflecting the growing importance of these languages in business and diplomacy.
Multilingualism is on the rise in Korea, reflecting the country’s increasing global presence and commitment to cross-cultural understanding. Moreover, with the booming entertainment industry in Korea with the advancement of K-Pop industry, multilingualism started to take place.
The Popularity of English Among K-Pop Idols
Konglish incorporates Korean grammar and vocabulary into English phrases and sentences, creating a unique and sometimes unconventional way of speaking. K-pop has gained immense popularity worldwide in the past decade, and with it, the use of Konglish has become more common in the music and lyrics.
An example of a Konglish expression that has become popular today is “아이쇼핑” (ah-ee-syo-ping) which combines the words “eye” and “shopping” to become “window shopping” (just looking around without shopping). Then there is “셀카” (sel-ka), this word is used to express the desire for a selfie in everyday language.
This way of utilizing unique English words consistently over the years has led to the development of a specific culture for audiences worldwide, not only in Korea. Moreover, they only use several catchy English words in their songs to make them sound unique.
There are some Konglish phrases that can be found in K-Pop lyrics that represents a meaning with catchy words but incomprehensible structure. For example, “If you wanna pretty, every wanna pretty.” is one of the lyric sung by KARA. While the meaning is straightforward, “everyone can be pretty”, the structure itself may not make sense to others, or may even be cringeworthy.
While some people view Konglish as a fun and unique way of speaking, others criticize it for its potential to be confusing or incorrect in standard English usage. Additionally, some argue that excessive use of Konglish may be seen as cultural appropriation or disrespecting the English language.
Despite these criticisms, the popularity of Konglish shows no signs of slowing down, and its continued use in K-pop and other aspects of Korean entertainment will likely further contribute to its spread.
Why K-Pop Use English in Their Music?
English is also used in K-pop songs as a way to add a particular aesthetic or sound to the music. K-pop songs often include English words and phrases that may not be grammatically or contextually correct, but have a powerful sound and impact.
In addition, K-pop artists often collaborate with Western artists to broaden their fan base and break into the Western music market. As a result, K-Pop is gaining popularity around the world in a broad market, including Indonesia. As modernity arises, they need to adapt to the trends in the market worldwide to compete with other big superstars.
Conclusion
Konglish has also become popular among Korean youth as a way to show off their English language skills and to express themselves in a unique and trendy way. It is often used in social media posts and text messages, where short and informal language is preferred. It is not surprising that the K-Pop industry is using English to expand its market inside and outside Asia.
However, the use of Konglish has also sparked controversy in South Korea, where there are concerns that the increased use of English in Korean culture is leading to a decline in the use of the Korean language.
Some argue that the excessive use of Konglish could result in a loss of cultural identity and a decline in the importance of the Korean language. This occurrence produces a new culture where K-Pop industry arises.
Despite these concerns, the popularity of Konglish continues to grow, with new phrases and words being introduced regularly. K-pop’s influence on global culture makes Konglish one of the most influential languages and communication styles among young people.
References:
https://www.meer.com/en/70889-why-is-there-so-much-english-in-korean-music
https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/2/16/16915672/what-is-kpop-history-explained
https://www.90daykorean.com/konglish/
https://koreabyme.com/aegyo-bulgogi-and-chimaek-konglish-added-to-the-english-dictionary/
https://thesmartlocal.kr/konglish-words/
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