With Americans celebrating Thanksgiving this week and the year coming to an end, it's time to think back on all that we're thankful for this year from the Korean entertainment world. While everybody has their own individual things that they're thankful for, there were a handful of events over the year that every K-pop fans should thank the K-pop idols for (see what I did there?)
1. V App Debuted To Bring K-pop Fans Closer To Idols
Naver released a new app that helped fans interact more directly with Korean celebrities. Through the app, K-pop stars and other Korean celebrities started to release lifestreams where they introduced their latest music or just chilled with fans, who were able to write their responses in real time. Fans can follow their favorite artists and be alerted to new streams, or even watch their favorite dramas in realtime as they air in Korea.
Never V App only launched this summer, but it's brought a lot of hours of fun for all lovers of Korean entertainment worldwide.
2. Big Bang Returned After Three Years
The YG Entertainment boy band made a comeback three years after their last album with their "MADE" project album. Big Bang topped countless music charts throughout a summer filled with eight singles, all of which were ranked in the top ten songs of the year.
Along with their new album, Big Bang held a "MADE" tour and spent several months traveling the globe as they met fans on several continents.
3. Many Truly Outstanding Rookie Groups
Seventeen, Twice, iKON, G-Friend, Day6, Monsta X, MyB, Oh My Girl, Up10Tion, April, DIA, M.A.P6... There were countless rookies debuting this year, and numerous standouts from among the crowd.
Some were highly anticipated acts from major K-pop agencies, like JYP Entertainment's Twice and Day6 and YG Entertainment's iKON, while some were promoted as the "little sibling" group to well-established acts. Whatever they were promoted as, 2015 will go down as the year that we gained some of K-pop's future major players.
4. More K-Pop Concerts Than Ever Before Were Held Outside of Asia
If you don't live in Asia, 2015 was the year for you. With numerous tours bringing K-pop acts to the Americas, Australia, and Europe, there were more K-pop concerts outside of Asia than ever before. (Don't worry, Africa and the Middle East, hopefully you'll get your concerts soon!)
5. End of Contract Woes For B.A.P
While they're not yet major players in the scene, B.A.P holds a special place in the heart of many K-pop fans due to their musical style and their numerous musical releases. But after a contract lawsuit left their future up in the air, many people grew concerned. But this month we saw the return of B.A.P to the K-pop scene with their album "Matrix," reassuring fans that there is some good in the K-pop world, and occasionally contract nullification lawsuits have a happy ending.
6. More Interest In Indie and Hip-Hop Artists
If you haven't noticed how Hyukoh and Zion.T essentially ate up Korea for several months of this year, you're missing out. Indie band Hyukoh made a splash after performing at "Infinite Challenge"'s latest music festival, while Zion.T, well, he just couldn't be stopped every time he made a new release.
Hyukoh was the first artist signed to YG Entertainment's newest sub-label, HIGHGRND, kicking off a new era as major Korean entertainment companies look towards alternatives from K-pop idols.
7. Femme Fetales Made Impressive Comebacks
4Minute, miss A, and Girls' Generation just couldn't be stopped this year. The senior girl groups brought back their signature styles with mature twists to prove to everyone that they still had what it takes to survive in the fast-paced K-pop world. Meanwhile, established newer groups like AOA, Sistar, and Girl's Day held their own against all of the senior artists and new groups.
8. f(x) Got A Fresh Start
Although they're under SM Entertainment, f(x) has always been considered less established than other groups of the K-pop behemoth. But after the departure of former member Sulli, f(x) came back with a bang and their "4 Walls" album. SM Entertainment also announced that the girl group would, after six years, finally hold their first solo concert series and receive an official fan club name (which has still yet to be announced.)
9. Super Junior Celebrated Its First Decade
Going from one SM Entertainment act to another... Super Junior proved their worth as one of the longest running K-pop groups when they reached their 10-year anniversary earlier this month. The group released two special albums earlier this year, ahead of several members enlisting in the Korean army, but the big news was that SM Entertainment set up a new sub-label to solely focus on Super Junior's members group and solo activities, ensuring that the group will continue on in the future as one of K-pop's most long-lasting acts.
10. Groundbreaking Dramas
Less K-pop than Korean entertainment, 2015 saw many Korean television shows handling tough societal questions. Mental health was addressed in dramas like "It's Okay, That's Love," "Kill Me, Heal Me," and "Sassy, Go Go," while the Korean entertainment industry and journalism were questioned in shows like "Producer" and "Healer," (although that technically began in 2015.) "Sunam Girls High School Detectives" and "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" questioned Korea's societal norms.
What K-pop event were you most thankful for in 2015?
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Tamar Herman is a multi-media journalist and the co-founder of KultScene. She is a freelance writer and copy editor, and has written for MTV Iggy, Noisey, and Paste Magazine.
