Numerous South Korean media outlets have reported on the "dilemma" K-Pop is facing right now. Many believe that the genre is losing its original charm and characteristics. This issue arises following the rise of English songs being made in the industry. While some netizens agree to this sentiment, many have defended the use of English in K-pop.
Following BTS's monumental achievement of being the first Korean singer to top the Billboard's Hot 100 Chart with all-English single "Dynamite", netizens have started to question whether the rise of English songs is something to be feared. While many want to see K-pop grow to be a worldwide genre, many think that the recent moves made by Korean entertainment companies are more strategic to gain profit rather than to show the charms of the genre.
Other than BTS, other K-pop artists such as BLACKPINK, MONSTA X, and SuperM have all taken their own steps to grow their American audience with predominantly Western sounding music. Other than the lyrics, many have noted that companies are releasing songs that radio-friendly. It also appears they are now paying less attention to powerful choreography, which K-pop originally gained fame for.
Songs like BLACKPINK's "Ice Cream", which was made in collaboration with American singer Selena Gomez, and SuperM's predominantly English song "100" may garner attention, many Korean K-pop fans wonder if these artist straying away from what K-pop traditionally it can still even be considered K-pop.
Fans have voiced out their concerns, especially to companies that appear to be placing their focus on their global fans rather than the domestic audience. Many have commented on how K-pop is losing its touch and how choreography nowadays just isn't as impactful as how it used to be. Some have said, "Doesn't the word 'K-pop' in itself supposed to reflect Korea's unique lyrics and Korean characteristics?"
However, it should also be noted that numerous K-pop idols and groups in the past have made English-heavy songs to suit a Korean market. In fact, numerous Korean artists in the past have tried to debut in America. Some notable names include Wonder Girl's "Nobody", BoA's "Eat You Up", CL's "Lifted", and Girls' Generation's "The Boys". At the time, it seemed that Korean fans and international audiences did not particularly care about English lyrics, nor the steps taken by the artist's companies to tap into the Western market.
Still, many now consider it troubling. Some media experts believe that the sudden unforeseen growth of international fanbases, such as BTS's ARMYs, has led to a need for songs with a broader cultural spectrum to cater to them, despite how the Korean lyrics are what initially caught their attention.
Some Korean netizens, however, have also gone to defend the rise of English songs and have stated that it is still considered K-pop. Many have defended the artists mentioned, such a BTS and BLACKPINK. "I'm sure there will a come a day where American radios will play their Korean songs," said one netizen, as they talk about BTS's "Dynamite", "But we are still in the process of getting there. So why not show them some support?"
Many have also started to question what exactly K-pop means. Some netizens have stated that K-pop simply means pop music made and produced in South Korea. While most artists chose to sing in Korean because it is their mother tongue, songs sang in English does not instantly make it non-K-pop. Netizens have stated it still is K-pop since it was made in Korea and is sang by Korean entertainment groups and artists.
Others expressed frustration on how people limit K-pop to just Korea. Many have stated that the ultimate goal for most musicians is to create music that resonated with the world. While they agree that artists going viral for singing in Korean makes them proud, there is nothing wrong with artists experiencing international growth and creating music for the Western market.
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