A comparative analysis of musical changes in K-Pop male idol groups

Abstract

This study analyzed the vocal part of the songs of Korean K-Pop male idol groups to find out why 3rd generation K-Pop has become the mainstream of popular music. Currently, as K-Pop is rapidly emerging as a global mainstream genre, expectations for creating artists like BTS are rising. However, the existing K-Pop is being studied focusing on its splendid appearance and performance, so there is a lack of practical musical research. In this study, we analyze the title songs of the K-pop male idols BTS and 4th generation idols, which received worldwide attention in 2020, and show the changes and characteristics of music. In this study, a research methodology using content analysis of qualitative research was selected as a method for the development of the music field. For the analysis, we selected the music data of the Billboard chart songs of BTS, the representative K-Pop idol, and the title songs of ATEEZ, Stray Kids, NCT, and SEVENTEEN, the idols that received attention abroad in 2020. In this study, in-depth analysis was carried out by measuring the playing time of the musical components of songs (singing, rap, and rapping), and it was visualized and classified for easy viewing. As a result of these studies, ‘breaking away from K-Pop centered on looks and performance’, ‘Suggesting the musical direction of the next generation idol through analysis of BTS songs, which is a successful case of 3rd generation K-Pop’, ‘Effect on idol member part distribution’ ‘This shows that it can match the development potential of idols after the fourth generation. Through this study, to ensure continuity in the global music market, the balanced development of idol music including various genres and follow-up research through an understanding approach to the Korean idol music system will be possible.