Korean Popular Music and lifestyle of Filipino Teenagers in Tondo, Manila

Background of the study

Korean Popular Music, or K-pop has a big impact on the lifestyle of Filipino teenagers
nowadays, because of its catchy melody, expert choreography, world-class productions
and idols' flawless skin, doll-like faces and spectacular outfits that’s why fans fell in love
with perfection. But it's not just about good music that can bring joy or unity, it's also
about the incredible amount of dedication and hardwork of the idols for their fans to
make history. Music is now part of many people’s lives and some even say that life is
meaningless without it, to this generation, many people are dependent on music. K-pop
fits in our generation particularly in the 21st generation which already accepted the kpop
civilization, also, with the help of technology, kpop has spread all over the world
including here in the philippines. Filipino teenagers are being influenced by their love
and admiration for their favorite kpop groups. Furthermore, kpop fans are also being
influenced on learning Korean so that they can feel that they are the same with their
idols even just through language.

In the philippines we can observe that filipino teenager instead of saying ‘hi’ in english
or in filipino language they are saying ‘annyeonghaseyo’ in korean language because
they are influenced by their favorite kpop group that they are able to apply it in a daily
life basis. Also, by listening and watching kpop music videos everyday kpop fans
memorize the lyrics and choreography of their favorite kpop song and it will remain in
the memory because they are always listening and watching it. Moreover, the love of
Filipino fans to kpop can be seen through their fashion, especially young teens who
imitate the way their kpop idols dress.

K-pop also influences the lifestyle of Filipino fans especially teenagers, it can be positive
or negative influence, sometimes fans just buy anything associated with the kpop and
idols, they are obsessed with the kpop to the point that, their feminized or desexualize
the idols which is not appropriate, also they cannot separate the fantasy from reality
about kpop. Some kpop fans might become obsessed with their favorite groups that
they may lack the social skills to communicate with others because they're just in their
room watching all day. But at some point we cannot argue about that because of the
pandemic we don't have a choice other than that. However, because of so much
adoration for their kpop idols they sometimes forget about reality because they are
influenced by their favorite groups on their computer and television screen.