[INTERVIEW] American K-pop podcasters reflect on genre’s transformation

Co-hosts Shannon Locke, left, and Angélica Davila have been operating the podcast, „Ask Me About Kpop,“ since 2018. Courtesy of Ask Me About Kpop

When greatest buddies Shannon Locke and Angélica Davila got down to create a podcast in 2018 to clarify Okay-pop to curious newcomers, they initially thought they’d wrap up after just some episodes.

A brand for „Ask Me About Kpop“ / Courtesy of Ask Me About Kpop

Practically 300 episodes later, their preliminary need to interrupt down Okay-pop for an unfamiliar viewers has developed right into a seven-year journey documenting the style’s transformation from a distinct segment curiosity to a worldwide cultural phenomenon that now dominates mainstream music charts and fills stadiums worldwide.

The weekly podcast, „Ask Me About Kpop,“ invitations listeners into the world of Okay-pop, exploring present points within the scene, new releases, and the histories of artists or main businesses which have formed the trade.

The present started after the co-hosts had the chance to create an episode about Okay-pop when Locke was working at a podcast community and on its present, “How To Be Much less Outdated,” in 2017.

“Angelica and I have been company on an episode about Okay-pop and we had a lot enjoyable making an attempt to interrupt down our favourite passion into simply understood factors, it sort of woke one thing up in us,” Locke informed The Korea Instances in a written interview.

They created their very own present with the intention of providing perception and serving as an encyclopedia for these unfamiliar with Okay-pop, sharing their ardour and data. The early episodes present a information via the Okay-pop world, explaining the construction of idol teams and their musical ideas, in addition to breaking down the highest three businesses — SM, YG, and JYP Leisure — that dominated the scene.

The co-hosts of „Ask Me About Kpop,“ Angélica Davila, entrance row left, and Shannon Locke, entrance row proper, pose with Okay-pop boy group BLITZERS, who joined the present as company. Courtesy of Ask Me About Kpop

“Our first episode got here out when the (PyeongChang) Winter Olympics have been in (Korea) and there have been numerous articles like ‘What’s Okay-pop?’ as a result of artists like CL and EXO carried out on the ceremonies. So our present gave a fan’s reply to that query,” Davila mentioned.

Locke added that the extra they delve into the trade, the extra they uncover to share with their listeners.

“We undoubtedly began on a mission to show folks all the things that we knew about Okay-pop. However we shortly discovered that we have been studying a lot greater than we thought we knew. I feel we’re each deeply curious those who simply need to know all the things, so I feel that the present began to morph into us chasing down our personal curiosities,” Locke mentioned.

Changing into a long-running present spanning seven years, the podcast has coated a variety of trade matters, from introductory content material to in-depth tales, similar to these of disbanded woman teams. It additionally invitations company like songwriter Chikk, the composer behind hit songs similar to EXO’s „Monster,“ and Okay-pop teams together with BLITZERS and ONEUS, providing listeners an up-close perception into the trade.

Co-hosts Locke, left, and Davila pose at KCON LA in 2019. Ask Me About Kpop

“The primary intention was educating and welcoming new followers into our favourite passion in a straightforward to digest means. Then there was some extent the place we have been so energetic within the fandom and it was rising so shortly, that we have been in a position to cowl present occasions, or give live performance recaps and do artist interviews,” Locke mentioned.

“As Okay-pop’s development began to change into overwhelming, now we’ve form of moved into an area the place we most frequently discuss Okay-pop historical past. It’s a little bit simpler to speak about issues which have already occurred and interesting to see how they’ve knowledgeable issues within the current.”

Davila added that the present distinguishes itself from different Okay-pop podcasts by participating the viewers with contemporary matters that weren’t extensively mentioned earlier than.

“There are different exhibits that sustain with all the brand new releases, so we like diving into lesser-known matters or answering questions on Okay-pop that we ourselves have questioned,” she mentioned.

The co-hosts take delight in going the additional mile to analysis and supply deeper insights into Okay-pop, fairly than settling for matters that merely scratch the floor.

“I feel we’re each very pleased with our extra research-heavy episodes … In our ‘Okay-pop in America’ episode, we went all the way in which again to the Fifties with the Kim Sisters on the Ed Sullivan Present. Or our ‘Okay-pop Meets Custom’ episode, the place we realized about conventional Korean devices and clothes, after which checked out how they have been featured in numerous Okay-pop releases. These have been actually enjoyable for us to make and share with our listeners,” Davila mentioned.

Co-hosts Angélica Davila, left, and Shannon Locke take a selfie throughout their journey to Korea in 2019. Ask Me About Kpop

Okay-pop has grown into a serious style worldwide, making a major affect on the worldwide music scene. The 2 hosts, who’ve witnessed its development through the years of operating their present, shared that on-line platforms enabling artist-fan interactions have performed a vital function in serving to the style increase its viewers.

“These days, (leaving feedback and liking on the artists’ Instagram) has shifted into apps like Weverse and Bubble the place persons are truly getting textual content messages from their idols,” Locke mentioned.

“And after the pandemic, issues like fan signal (occasions) that used to solely be accessible to followers in Korea, have completely shifted to digital cellphone calls so you may have one on one time along with your idol irrespective of the place you’re on the earth. It’s fairly mind-blowing to me as an old-school fan simply how accessible idols are today.”

Regardless of its rising recognition, Okay-pop has typically been criticized for its rigorous coaching system and extremely aggressive trade. The co-hosts shared that such views from Western media can undermine the artists‘ efforts, noting that it’s disappointing to see these narratives from the angle of followers.

“And it may be irritating as a fan when these tales change into all that individuals learn about Okay-pop as a result of then the artistry and the expertise of the idols, even the accomplishments and data that they’re setting within the world music scene, get invalidated and overshadowed,” Davila mentioned.