K POP-MUSIC TO Cebuano High School Students

Genevieve A. Quibedo

Abstract:

The main purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of Cebuano
high school students on the K-Pop music. It used the combination of survey
questionnaire and content analysis applying descriptive method.

The findings of the study revealed that the major factor of listening to K-Pop
music to most Cebuano high school students was to relieve boredom. Thus, it is
recommended that music artists should create a more inspiring music that make the
listeners come outside of their comfort zones. It also revealed that the respondents
were influenced by Korean pop music from the way they behave. It also showed that the
respondents listen to K-Pop due to its dance moves and upbeat sound. With this, it is
also recommended that local musicians may consider making upbeat songs with unique
choreography and/or catchy lyrics to level up from emotional dramatic type of music.

The conclusion of this study stated that the perception of Cebuano high school students
on Korean pop music is it shows dance moves some of them want to follow, let them
learn new Korean words and offers upbeat vibes that influenced the way they behave in
non-verbal and verbal aspects to their surroundings base on what they hear and on
what they see.

Key words: Korean pop music, Lyrics, Music Video, Sound, Teenagers

Introduction:

“Music moves society more than most people realize. It’s a soft manipulator of
influence and change.” – Kim Harrison

According to Hopskin, it makes every picture and every sense of life appear more
colorful and significant. It is a language of sorts that transcribe into a code that needs to
be interpreted. It has its life rekindled with every performance; it is a magical time
machine enabling us to experience vividly the thoughts and emotions of people long
dead. (Hopskin154)

In addition, music is a powerful means of communication. It provides a means by

which people can share intentions and meanings even though their spoken language
may be mutually incomprehensible. It can also provide a vital lifeline to human
interaction for those whose special needs make other means of communication difficult.
(Miell)
 Music has always been used by all cultures to pass down traditions and express
pride in race and nation. Sharing music of many cultures provides insights about the
history and emotion of those people.

International composers and singers also use different shades of emotions to

create a music that won’t only satisfy their inner feelings but also their listeners and
audiences just like how Filipino composers and artists do.

Filipinos are a lover of music and singing is an on-going activity since time
immemorial. They have a treasure of songs evoking friendship, victory, grief and
festivities. (Rivaledo2)

Cebuanos are musically-inclined people which paved the way for the creation of
Vis-Pop songs such as Duyog, Atik Ra, Hahasula, etc. In every corner, street, mall,
plaza, public jeepneys and houses, music is a constant scenario whether in a form of
earphones, headphones, stereos and speakers.

What has been missing from previous studies so far is that they did not specify a
certain music era. Most research focuses on the music genres or its uses rather than
the students’ perception of the Korean Pop in general. Since music itself is evolving, it
adapts to the demand and taste of the audience. This current study emphasizes on
certain music as well as its lyrics and videos and its influence to the youth.

This research is significant because music is a very essential tool and extension
that expresses ones feelings and ones words left unsaid. Music also serves as a means
of communication. Music knows no culture and speaks no language.

Since today’s music has become louder than before, this study wants to analyze
the perceptions of Cebuano high school students on the Korean Pop music, also known
as K-Pop.

It is related in today’s time and generation since teenagers nowadays are hype
on Korean boy bands, girl groups, dramas, skin cares, foods, cultures and music.
Students also often use music as a way of showing hidden feelings and strong emotions
just like how music lyrics are used as a way of delivering different messages into the
world.

To sum up, this research aims to determine the reason high school students
listen to Korean music. It also seeks the possible influence of K-Pop music to the
students. Finally, it intends to evaluate how the students perceive the said music.
Theoretical Background of the Study

This particular study assumes that Korean pop music influences the youth’s
mentality thus, it is anchored on the following theories: Uses and Gratification, Social
Learning Theory and Framing Theory.

Uses And Gratification Theory was affirmed by a functionalist paradigm in the

social sciences, Blumler and Katz. The Uses and Gratifications Theory presumes that
audiences actively seek out media to satisfy individual needs. With this presumption,
the Uses and Gratifications Theory looks to answer three questions: what do people do
with the media, what are their underlying motives for using said media, and what are the
pros and cons of this individual media use.

This theory assumes that the viewpoint of the audience in choosing their music is
based on their taste, satisfaction and motives.

This research often integrates other theoretical approaches to provide more

complete explanations. The key concept in uses and gratifications is the reasons people
have for using mass communication (motives/gratifications sought). These reasons are
important because they direct selective exposure to media and their content, they lead
people to use the content in different ways, and they lead to different media effects.
(Perse)

Generally speaking, this theory intends to grasp the feasible influences that
Korean pop music and singers present to the audiences and how it affects their
behavior and perceptions. Uses and Gratification Theory is chosen considering that it
points out the viewpoint of the audiences. Their satisfaction, motives, positive and
negative outcomes of their chosen songs and approaches towards life. An example of
this is how Blackpink’s fans relate and feel about their songs particularly Kill This Love,
How You Like That and Love Sick Girls.

In connection with this study, Social Learning Theory is also used to seek the
relevance of music to the behavior of the teenagers.

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory indicates the relevance of observing and

modelling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. Bandura states:
"Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to
rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately,
most human behavior is learned observationally through modelling: from observing
others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions
this coded information serves as a guide for action."
 This theory assumes that Korean pop music video and lyrics of today affects the
emotional, physical and mental reaction of others through observing and modelling.

This theory of Albert Bandura will support the current study in the consideration
of observing, imitating, and modelling the behaviors seen and emphasized in the videos
and lyrics of the Korean pop music. The presence of significant conditions for effective
modelling helps the study. An illustration of this is how a song and its music video will
affect the student’s way of communication, his or her perception, attitude and behavior.

Moreover, Framing Theory is selected in this study which states that all media
presents frames to the audience and “Frames” are defined as the way in which we
interpret the information presented towards us and that these functions as a way to
organize social meanings. It was founded by Goffman from his work entitled as Frame
Analysis. (Goffman)

Framing theory assumes that audiences interpret the song based on what the
music industry releases.

This theory is chosen considering the possible viewpoints of the different music
industries and record companies. They control what songs they want audience to hear
and what is not. Thus, the audience perceives what they hear and what they see. An
example of this is ABS-CBN’s Christmas station ID entitled Isang Pamilya Tayo that
shows unity among Filipinos despite their diversity and how the audience react to the
said music video.

These theories support the study as a guideline in determining the audiences’

viewpoint towards media, how the surroundings affect the audience perception and the
music industry’s influence to the audience.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the influence of K-Pop music among Cebuano High
School Students.

Specifically this study will answer the following questions:

1. What is the major factor of listening to Kpop among Cebuano High School students?
2. In what way does K-Pop affect the students?
3. How do the students perceive the K-Pop music?

Methodology

The descriptive method is used in this study, applying qualitative approach.

Descriptive method using survey and content analysis technique was selected because
it provides an accurate portrayal or account of the characteristics, for example opinions,
abilities, beliefs and knowledge of a particular individual, situation or group. (Burns and
Grove 29)

The qualitative approach is defined by Boudah as a data collection d analysis

grounded in observation, interview and document review. This approach is quite
different since it does not only focus with obtaining information from a sample of people
but also breaks into understanding its meaning and how it informs subjective
understanding.

This study evaluates the possible influence of K-Pop music to the selected high
school students, junior or senior high, in Cebu City.

Research Environment

The environment of this research is Cebu City where the different schools are
located and have numerous high school individuals. Another considered environment of
this study is the virtual environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Respondents

The respondents of this study are high school students from different schools in
Cebu City, junior high or senior high with no specific age as long as they are high school
student. This research engages a total of 15 participants.

Research Instruments

This uses the survey questionnaire instrument via google form in order to answer
the questions raised in this study. It is also used as the source of data to be used in the
study.

Data Gathering Procedure

This study includes three phases, namely: factor/s of listening to K-Pop among
Cebuano High School students analysis phase, way/s K-Pop affect the students
analysis phase and students’ perception on the K-Pop music analysis phase.

In the first phase, the factor/s students listen to K-Pop music would be
determined. To obtain this phase, a survey questionnaire would be prepared first which
mainly contains choices and blank spaces for the respondents’ outlook.

In the second phase, the way/s K-Pop affect the Cebuano students would be
identified. To attain this result, the questionnaire presents the possible answer that
would correspond to the question being raised to the respondents.
 In the third phase, students’ perception on the said music would also be
distinguished. The respondents would have to choose from the choices given and/or
provide their own answer on the Others choice.

Treatment of Data

The data gathered in this study from the chosen respondents was classified
correspondingly based on the questions formulated in the problems stated in the study.
After the analysis, interpretation of data would be done supported by the theories of the
study. The findings of the study would summarize and conclusion would be made.

The methods mentioned would be followed accordingly in order to gather the

data that will be used for the results.

Results, Analysis and Discussion

This part of the study deals with the analysis and interpretation of the data
gathered out of the instruments used in this study in order to answer the questions
raised.

The first table presents the factor/s Cebuano high school students listen to K-Pop
Music

Table 1

Factor/s of Listening to K-Pop Music among Cebuano High School Students

Reason/s of Listening to K-Pop Music

Reasons Percentage Rank

Hobby 26.67

All of
Relieve
Hobby Relaxation Relating the Others TOTAL
Boredom
Above
Numbers 4 8 1 0 1 1 15
In 26.67% 53.33% 6.67% 0% 6.67% 6.67%
Percentag 100.01%
e
 As shown in the table above, 53.33% of the respondents listen to K-Pop music to
relieve boredom while only 0% shows that they do not find it relating. Second is
because it is their hobby with 26.67%.

Half of the respondents answered that they always listen to K-Pop music while
the other half answered sometimes and 1 often.

The Uses and Gratification theory strengthens this finding because it assumes
that audience actively seek out media to satisfy their individual needs which is in this
case, the students’ relief from boredom.

Therefore, the major factor of listening to K-Pop music to most Cebuano high
school students was for relief from boredom.

In line with this, the next table presents the possible ways K-Pop music influence
the students.

Table 2

The Way K-Pop Music Affect the Students

Communication Skills

Behavior

Action

Numbers In Percentage
The way you communicate 3 20.00%
The way you behave 5 33.33%
The way you act 2 13.33
All of the Above 1 6.67%
Others 4 26.67
TOTAL 15 100%

As presented in the table 2, 33.33% of the respondents said that K-Pop music
influences the way they behave while only 6.67% said that music influences them in all
aspects. While majority of the students found K-Pop music influential.

Goffman’s Framing theory supports this finding since it states that media draws
the public’s eyes to specific topics in which media, as the gatekeepers organizes and
presents the ideas, events and topics they cover. Thus, these things lead people in
conceptualizing what should and what should be not, basing on what the media wants
the audience to foresee.
 In this case, entertainments and/or the record companies in South Korea control
what music videos to be shown which could influence the listeners and the viewers.

Moreover, Social Learning theory indicates the relevance of observing and

modelling the behaviors, attitudes and emotional reactions of others. It supports the
finding in such a way that the students are influenced by the idols’ behavior, fashion or
style, accent and dance moves.

Thus, Korean pop music affects the students through the way they behave.

In that order, the next table presents the students’ perception on the music video,
lyrics and sound to the K-Pop music.

Table 3

Students’ Perception on the K-Pop Music

Indicators:

Higher Definition Video Quality

Nice Dance Moves

Dramatic

New Words

Hard Words

Relevant/Relatable Translation

Observed Auto-

Has higher definition quality of

video (HD) than local
Reveals dance moves some
people want to follow
Portrays emotion and adds drama 0%
Gives new word/s learning 8 53.33%
Hard to understand 4 26.67%
Translation is relating 3 20.00%
It is more upbeat 10 66.67%
Auto-tune can be observed 2 13.33%
melody has the emotion portrayed 3 20.00%
in the message of the song
 The table above showed the respondents’ top 3 potential answers on their
perception of the sound, lyrics and music video of K-Pop music..

The music video reveals dance moves some people want to follow according to
66.67% of the respondents, while 33.33% said that it has higher definition quality of
video (HD) than local.

Majority of the students answered that the song’s lyrics gives new word/s
learning like “oppa”, while the rest said that it is hard to understand and for those who
search the translation, said that is relating.

On the other hand, the K-Pop sound is more upbeat according to 66.67% of the
respondents, while 13.33% said that auto-tune can be observed in K-Pop sound.

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory indicates the relevance of observing and

modelling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. Bandura states:
"Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to
rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately,
most human behavior is learned observationally through modelling: from observing
others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions
this coded information serves as a guide for action."

The Social Learning theory supports the finding because it indicates the
relevance of observing and modelling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions
of the high school students. It justifies the finding because the results show how the
image of the K-Pop idols play a vital role on what was mostly paid attention to. Imitation
of dance moves, learning new words and upbeat sound were being applied on their
certain perspective.

Hence, the students perceived the K-Pop music video to reveal dance moves
some of them want to follow, lyrics give them new Korean words learning and K-Pop
sound is more upbeat than the local.

This part presented, analyzed and interpreted the data gathered from the
respondents.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Therefore, this study reveals the following findings:

1. The major factor of listening to K-Pop music to most Cebuano high school
students was to relieve boredom.
2. Korean pop music affects the students through the way they behave.

3. The students perceived the K-Pop music video to reveal dance moves some of
them want to follow, lyrics give them new Korean words learning and K-Pop sound is
more upbeat than the local.

The perception of Cebuano high school students on Korean pop music is it

shows dance moves some people want to follow, let them learn new Korean words and
offers upbeat vibes hence; it is not dangerous to the young audiences. Thus, this
strengthens the researcher’s assumption that K-Pop music influences the students’
physical and mental reaction by watching and listening to their songs.

Based on the results and the conclusions of this study, the following
recommendations are presented:

1. Music artists may create a more inspiring music that can uplift and motivate the
listeners to do more, be more and to come outside of their comfort zones.

2. Idols/Singers may promote the action of being good (like kindness, happiness,
giving) through their music since music is also a form of communication, no matter what
language, and listeners can imitate the idol’s/singer’s words and action especially the
younger audiences.

3. Local musicians may also consider making upbeat songs with unique
choreography and/or catchy lyrics to level up from emotional dramatic type of music so
changes may affect the students’ perception.

References:

Bandura, A. "Social Learning Theory." New York: General Learning Press, 1977. Web.

Communication Studies

Dorothy Miell. ”Musical Communication.” Oxford University Press, 2016. Web.

Goffman, Erving. "Frame Analysis: An Essay on the Organization of Experience."

Harper & Row, 1974. Web.

Perse, E. "Uses and Gratifications." Np, 30 Jan 2014. Web.

Rosita V. Rivaledo. "Fundamental of Music." National Bookstore, 2004. Print.

---. “Music Education.”National Bookstore, 1987. Print.