Keeping up with K-Pop: The five K-Pop songs that have defined my college journey
The time has come for the dreaded end to this iconic column.
It was hard for me to think of what to do for my last Keeping up with K-Pop, especially since there is no new music right now.
But for my last one, it won’t be a review or recommendation, but moreso my college journey defined by the K-Pop songs that got me through it.
And know if we were not boycotting BBC, LOONA would be every single song.
“Russian Roulette” — Red Velvet
The song that started it all, long before it was trending on TikTok.
If you knew me before COVID-19, you know I was the biggest K-Pop anti. I thought the fans were annoying and childish and swore I never would become one of them.
Guess what Ryan, you became one of them.
When I first met my boyfriend at the time, one of the first things he did was play K-Pop music for me, and this was the first song he played.
Something shifted, I actually enjoyed a K-Pop song. I didn’t care that I did not understand anything outside of a few words — something about this song hooked me, and slowly, I was doing research on various K-Pop groups on my own.
This song was my gateway into the world of K-Pop, and since my initial listen, I have only immersed myself further in the music.
“Likey” — TWICE
I knew I liked this song before I even knew its name.
During COVID-19, I turned to TikTok and heard this catchy instrumental I was obsessed with, and wanted to find the song in full.
Lo and behold, the instrumental was to this song, and my love for my all-time favorite K-Pop group TWICE began.
I found myself watching the behind-the-scenes, watching their music show performances, and learning their fan chants; I became their biggest supporter.
Through my love of TWICE, I was able to break the ice when I first got to Elmhurst University, and meet some of my first friends here. Bonding over our love for K-Pop eased my anxiety, and I was able to start to settle in to my new home.
“Pirate” — EVERGLOW
When I first joined The Leader, I always wanted to start a K-Pop music column. I had no idea how to write a music review, but what I knew is that I wanted more people to be exposed to the music.
With my new arts and culture editor position, I had free will over what went into that section. Now was my chance to finally start the K-Pop music column of my dreams, and Keeping Up with K-Pop was born.
It was a rough start to my column, and reading it back, I did not do this song justice. But with my first column down featuring this song, I was unstoppable and passionate about making this column the best it could be, despite everyone around me telling me it was a bad idea.
It was a bad idea at the start, but it’s fun now.
“Talk that Talk” — TWICE
The day before the fall semester started, as I parted ways with my best friend before they went down to school, we happened upon this album in the mall a couple of days before it was released.
Too excited, I bought it and ran. Instantly, I put the CD in and listened to the album in full in the parking lot, amazed at the music.
It helped me feel excited for the school year, and every time I felt down at the start of my EIC experience, I remember the joy I felt this day, and it motivated me to work harder and not sweat the small stuff.
“Hot Sauce” — NCT DREAM
I am infamous for not liking K-Pop boy groups. Every time someone mentioned K-Pop, I have my long list of girl groups that I recommend, and boy groups are almost nonexistent.
But when opportunity calls, suddenly I am their number one fan.
Being from a small college and getting the opportunity to interview a K-Pop group, let alone one from SM Entertainment, was a fever dream. From just my tiny music column that I did mostly for myself, I was being noticed, and given the experience of a lifetime.
It still amazes me that this happened to me and was the perfect end to my time here at The Leader.
I can’t believe it is the end of this column. Thank you all for your support and for reading. Hopefully, soon we will meet again to keep up with K-Pop.