K-pop songs that are unapologetically Asian

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    "And they escorted her to a prison cell..."



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  • You should have seen this coming


    Super Tuna!

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  • Basically, songs that I really can't see western artists doing if given to them!


    Some K-pop songs, yeah, I can see western artists doing, but not these. There's something uniquely Asian about these songs if that makes sense. Hard to describe, but if you listen to them, you just know.

    If you put it that way...

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  • uh not sure if this is what you mean but these two songs immediately came to mind:


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  • It's no secret that K-pop was always inspired by western sounds, but in the mix of it, there's also quite a bit of K-pop that embraces its unique cultural roots. Some of these songs have instrumental sounds that stem from traditional music. Others just have that sound; in other words, if you know, you know.

    i think mino's fiance is a great example, i especially loved the stages and the costumes! especially the whole drunken king act thing he does on stage.


    i think that's why i like KAI's comeback a lot, the costumes are amazing!!! also definlty a lot of inspiration from Korean culture from what i can see.

  • I don't know if this fits or not but this is what I thought of when I read things you posted in this thread.


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  • When I express my wish for kpop to return to it's more Korean focus. Or lament the Western push of the industry.


    I am often given quizzical or angry responses often saying something to the effect of "kpop has always been Western."


    Yes it has always been Western influenced.


    That is the special mix of East and West that created our magical industry.


    But it was not always Western focused. And often was historically out of step with the West in a way it isn't now with its newfound hyper expansion Westward.


    There was a time when the kpop zeitgeist was very much in a different lane that the greater Western machine. A quality that I don't think newer fans quite are able to appreciate because they just never experienced it.


    There's a difference that is hard to describe beyond which you know it when you hear it.



    Often I turn to early SNSD as an example of this certain magical mix.


    Where I couldn't imagine it existing anywhere but kpop.



    To me this is to this day. The kpop of my dreams.


    And what I yearn for kpop to return to.



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  • 'Black Swan' orchestration is like a mix between Korean and Western instruments. String quartet with gayageum is there almost throughout the song floating high up.

  • uh not sure if this is what you mean but these two songs immediately came to mind:


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    Same, was about to post this


  • Interestingly. This is how I feel about k-dramas as well.


    When I got into them in the early 2000s it was in the middle of their initial Hallyu stage. In line with late first gen and early 2nd gen kpop.


    Before the big international money and Western attention. Before Netflix.


    They had a quirky and raw quality that has largely been "polished" out of them to become Western palatable.


    They are, more popular than ever internationally.


    But I still yearn for the kdrama of old. The quirkiness. The rawness....

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  • Maybe it's because I have a nostalgia and special fondness to it,but I feel like the k-pop oldies in general tend to have a much more ''korean'' sound.


    SNSD's old songs,SuJu's old songs,SHINee's old songs...I mean sure k-pop was always influenced by western music but it still had its own unique flare.

  • This sounded like an interesting question, then got a little odd for me, so I’m going to take the original premise of Kpop songs that use traditional elements. (Quirky or only in Kpop songs is a completely different discussion IMO.) Off the top of my head I can think of examples across several generations, including 4th.


    Nilaria uses samples of a traditional Korean folk song.


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    I Can’t Stand the Rain is a great song that uses traditional instruments

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    Ten - Dream in a Dream also uses traditional instruments

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    Thunderous also uses traditional instruments

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    EXO - Love Love Love also uses traditional instruments

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    Kai - Peaches

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