Defying the cute and sexy concepts, EXO, BTS, aespa, ENHYPEN, and more are truly shaking the center of the global music market with their "worldview" concepts!
On July 7, the Korean news outlet Hankuk Ilbo wrote about K-pop groups with "worldview" concepts. The online newspaper discussed the pioneer groups who first introduced the unprecedented concept in the K-pop market and the succeeding groups who are now making it more popular in the current K-pop generation.
EXO and BTS: Pioneer Groups Who Introduced "Worldview" to the K-pop Realm
According to the reprort, EXO is the blueprint of the "worldview" concept, which first introduced the idol group's identity during their debut in 2012.
They wrote, "It was from EXO who debuted in 2012 that 'worldview,' located at the root of the concept of idol groups' identity, was introduced in earnest in the K-pop market."
Amid the R&B, electronic pop, etc genres that are dominating during that time, EXO debuted with a baroque pop track, "Mama."
Their grand view was introduced as: "Tree of life divided into two, by the eyes of the red energy was hidden on the earth, and 12 legends living on the earth each gained superpowers and realized each other's existence."
Following EXO, the global group BTS who debuted a year after perfectly established a "worldview" culture in the idol market. Rather than superpowers and villains, BTS introduced "BU Worldview."
BTS Universe showcases the unstable aspects of youth, and through this, they were able to create "School," "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life," "Wings," "Love Yourself," and "Speak Yourself"s series.
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aespa, ENHYPEN and more: Rookies and K-pop Groups Who Solidify "Worldview" Concept
aespa, a junior of EXO, is currently among the most popular groups in terms of "worldview." They are the first artist that was launched under SM Culture Universe.
SMCU is a world where celebrities and AI (Artificial intelligence) put forward an unconventional future-oriented concept of communicating through syncing with "ae" – an avatar member who exists in virtual reality.
READ MORE: From aespa to EXO to NCT Dream: What is the Connection of 'KWANGYA' and These Groups in SM Culture Universe?
Following them is KINGDOM, a K-pop group that debuted under GF Entertainment. In February 2021, they gained attention during their debut for their unconventional concept, introducing the modifier "Fantasy Idols."
The leader Dann is the "King of Change," Arthur is the "King of Rain," Mujin is the "King of Cherry Blossoms," Louis is the "King of Aesthetic," Ivan is the "King of Snow," Jahan is the "King of the Sun," while Chiwoo is the "King of Cloud."
Their worldview can be described in the sentence "Seven Kingdoms, Seven Kings."
In addition to aespa and KINGDOM, LOONA who debuted in 2016 has grown into a K-pop representative that has built fandom based on a solid worldview.
The female idols have been expanding their unique "LOONAVERSE" worldview around three unit groups in the team. It includes LOONA 1/3, yyxy, and Odd Eye Circle. Their concept and hints can be seen through each of their song or mv releases.
Lastly, ENHYPEN also made a winning move with a more realistic view of the world. Rather than fictional characters, the rookies' worldview focuses on self-reflective stories that focus on teenage empathy.
ENHYPEN incorporates the actual worries, complicated feelings of teenage members, as well as the process of overcoming these turmoils into a worldview.
Through their releases, they expressed delicate emotions by projecting: "Worrying about whether the dream of the debut was given to the members or whether the members won themselves."
Expectations are high for ENHYPEN, which has recorded rapid growth based on the passionate sympathy of teenagers, to expand its worldview in the coming years.
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Written by Eunice Dawson
