Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jaganath69]

[Smee]

I should clarify, as at the time I was thinking more about movies, and I was letting it influence my take on music. Yes, I've heard of the British invasion, punk music, and techno. But I was thinking Asian artists would probably occupy just a niche. Bollywood is huge, but outside of being sampled in a few rap songs in 2004, has Indian music taken off? "Crouching Tiger" and "Hero" were number one movies, but their success in the theatres were rather small compared to the attention they got in Asia (obviously). And with Hero, the release was delayed several years, b/c nobody wanted to spend money bringing it out (which is why the theatrical release and new DVDs say "Quentin Tarantino Presents:"). And in spite of a few Japanese horror films, has this genre really solidified itself in the US? And when they present the Oscar for best foreign-language film, who (outside of a few movie buffs) have seen or heard of any of them?

All of which led me to believe Asian acts would find popularity only in small circles.

[Adventurer]

On a light note, that song called "I'm a Barbie Girl" may remind some of many Korean songs. It makes one thing those Korean songs one hears in the bars which encourages you either to drink more or to drink your alcoholic beverage with haste.

I wanted to ask other posters about that song called "Deep Forest". Wasn't that song quite foreign? I am not sure if the singer was Asian.
If a song that foreign could make it, then why not an Asian song?

Anyway, if our lyrics, in so many songs, sound worse than Konglish, in terms of having any real meaning that can stand alone regardless of the singer, than the next logical step is simply to listen to Asian songs because you enjoy the beat and the rhythm. After all, hip hop is not really about the lyrics as much as the beat and the rhythm. The lyrics and the personalizing of it by the singer are what make the songs these days more than the words. At least, that is impression.

Don't forget people in North America, at least, will listen to operas in Italian, French, and German, and they would be less likely to translate it into English like their British counterparts. So why not the same when it comes to pop music?

[Adventurer]

[quote="Smee"]I should clarify, as at the time I was thinking more about movies, and I was letting it influence my take on music. Yes, I've heard of the British invasion, punk music, and techno. But I was thinking Asian artists would probably occupy just a niche. Bollywood is huge, but outside of being sampled in a few rap songs in 2004, has Indian music taken off? "Crouching Tiger" and "Hero" were number one movies, but their success in the theatres were rather small compared to the attention they got in Asia (obviously). And with Hero, the release was delayed several years, b/c nobody wanted to spend money bringing it out (which is why the theatrical release and new DVDs say "Quentin Tarantino Presents:"). And in spite of a few Japanese horror films, has this genre really solidified itself in the US? And when they present the Oscar for best foreign-language film, who (outside of a few movie buffs) have seen or heard of any of them?

You mentioned Indian music. I think that in some parts of the East Coast a fusion of Indian music and mainstream hip hop has emerged. I am not sure if it has gained much coin outside the confines of the non-South Asians of the East Coast. I am sure there are some who enjoy it.
The addition of some Indian beats to rap music involves assimilating some of the sounds. Most American music has been influenced by African American culture including the way many of the Caucasian singers sing. They often sing in a way that is not part of their parents' dialect.

However, jumping over to another language that is completely different is another thing. I believe the Indian music that I mentioned above gained some popularity in Britain but not really in the U.S. and Canada except in some of the clubs in the East and West Coasts. I think the influence from various Asian cultures is gradually accruing.

[coolsage]

[coolsage]

Canada doesn't count because, in the words of Goldie Hawn: 'It's like, attached.' And all Korean rap and hip-hop singers should be put out of their fake misery soon.

[matthews_world]

[Newbie]

[pastis]