Leiden University Student Repository

Dingemans, Iris (2019)

The Culture of K-pop: The Use of Tradition in Korean Popular Music

Bachelor thesis | Koreastudies (BA)

This thesis examines traditional Korean elements and their use in the growing trend of K-pop. While the genre has grown into a worldwide phenomenon partly because of its easily identifiable musical elements, fashion and English lyrics, some K-pop artists have recently chosen to incorporate elements that do not fit the so-called "K-pop formula". By looking at two case studies that have strayed from the proven formula, this thesis aims to answer the question of what the purpose is in the use of traditional elements such as specific clothing and Folk music.

K-pop

Culture

Tradition

Music

Popular Culture

Author

Dingemans, Iris

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Koreastudies

Supervisors

Ceuster, Koen de

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en