At Gamereactor we have long been obsessed with this South Korean cultural phenomenon. In fact, a few days ago, writing my impressions of Honor of Kings (a MOBA full of K-pop-esque music) prompted us to write this. You probably already know a lot about it, maybe more than we do, but we thought, as the saying goes, “There is no bad bread for a hungry man.” So today we are going to talk about K-pop and its influence on the multimedia scene. Finally We don’t need permission to dance.
K-pop, or South Korean pop, is a musical phenomenon that has crossed borders and become a global force. From its humble beginnings in the 1990s, when pioneering groups like Seo Taiji and Boys began incorporating elements of pop and hip hop music into their songs, K-pop has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. Its success is based on a mix of catchy music, impressive choreography, and captivating visual aesthetics, all backed by a well-thought-out marketing strategy. There are two undisputed names that have stood out from the crowd in recent years: BTS and BLACKPINK.
BTS, also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan, have achieved an impressive feat by becoming the first K-pop group to achieve global fame. Since their formation in 2013, they have amassed a legion of international fans (known as ARMY) with music that addresses themes such as love, self-acceptance, and society. Their albums have topped the Billboard charts, and their concerts around the world draw huge crowds. BTS’ authenticity and social commitment, as well as their ability to build an emotional connection with their audience, have been key to their success.
BLACKPINK, on the other hand, has set a record in the entertainment industry. Since their debut in 2016, the all-female group has garnered global attention with their powerful anthems and striking aesthetic. The group has proven to be an unstoppable force in K-pop. Their ability to fuse music, fashion, and social media presence has earned them a place in the hearts of millions of fans around the world.
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But as a wise man once said, put on your shoes. So today we want to take K-pop to our own territory and talk about its influence in the multimedia field, because its influence is not limited to music, but has also conquered the world of film, television and video games. For example, in recent years we have seen a number of documentaries that explore the lives of these K-pop icons and offer a deeper insight into their lives and careers. We have noticed that the filmography of these films and series is very poorly documented, so below we will tell you all about it – we don’t want you to miss it!
Let’s start with BTS: “Burn the Stage” (2018) offers an intimate look at the group during one of their tours, while “Love Yourself in Seoul” (2018) captures one of their concerts. “Bring the Soul” (2019) and “Break the Silence” (2020) continue their journey on more tours, while “Permission to Dance on Stage LA” (2022) documents their return to the stage in Los Angeles after the pandemic (of all of them, this is my favorite). “Yet to Come” (2023) celebrates a concert from their new tour, and “BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star” (2023) looks back at the group’s milestones. Most recently, “HOPE on the Street” (2024), available on Prime Video, is a miniseries starring J-Hope, one of the group’s members. And there are a few more documentaries, but these are the ones I’ve seen. The best thing is that you can start with any of them: they are all very good and none of them will disappoint you.
BLACKPINK, for their part, have also released a number of productions throughout their career. “Light Up the Sky” (2020) is a documentary on Netflix that tells the story of the band from their beginnings to global fame, giving fans a complete picture of their development. “BLACKPINK: The Movie” (2021) honored their career with concert footage and behind-the-scenes footage, giving fans an even more up-close experience. And for fans waiting for the latest from BLACKPINK, “BLACKPINK World Tour (Born Pink)” will be released on August 31, 2024. This film captures the highlights of the “Born Pink” world tour and offers an exclusive look at their live show.
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Aside from movies and series, the integration of music and video games is another clear example of K-pop’s influence in multimedia. Not long ago, developers recognized the global appeal of K-pop and began collaborating with artists and groups to create immersive and exciting experiences for gamers. A notable example of this is League of Legends.
In 2018, League of Legends, one of the most popular games in the world, introduced K/DA, a virtual K-pop group consisting of characters from the game and voices of K-pop singers. K/DA’s debut single “POP/STARS” not only became a viral hit, but also marked a milestone in the way video games can incorporate elements of pop culture. The collaboration between Riot Games and K-pop artists such as Soyeon and Miyeon of (G)I-DLE showed how K-pop can expand into new mediums and appeal to audiences beyond the traditional music scene.
K/DA’s influence wasn’t limited to the game. The music video for “POP/STARS” garnered millions of views on YouTube and was praised for its visual quality and catchy music. The collaboration is a testament to the power of K-pop to break down boundaries and create multimedia experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.
In short, K-pop has left its South Korean origins behind and become a global force in multimedia. With icons like BTS and BLACKPINK at the forefront and innovations in the world of film and video games, K-pop continues to prove its ability to influence and reach audiences around the world. As pop culture continues to evolve, it’s exciting to imagine what new forms K-pop’s influence will take in the future. So if you ever find yourself dancing to a K-pop song in a video game or watching a documentary about your favorite group, don’t worry and remember: We don’t need permission to dance.
