April 2023

RISING SUN MAGAZINE

platform for young aspiring writers

ISSUE 4 •  VOL 1  • APRIL '23

 RISING SUN
MAGAZINE

04 The power of music

05 The effects of listening to music while studying

07 The Wellness culture virus

09 The impact of Influencer marketing

11 K-Pop's rise to fame

13
Is classical music underrated
15
Are entertainers the modern royalty of our world
17
Billboard; Trending and Hot 10
19
Song Recommendations
21
Credits
 MUSIC
AN INSIGHT INTO THE

WORLD OF

PERFORMERS
 THE POWER OF MUSIC
By Amrita Hemchand

In the ever-changing 21st century that we live in, music plays a vital role in every individual's
life - from different walks of life. Whether music is used as a tool to relieve stress and anxiety
or to strengthen special bonds with loved ones it proves beneficial.

Furthermore, "Doctors at Johns Hopkins recommend that you listen to music to stimulate
your brain", enabling young individuals to make more informed and responsible decisions
and has many benefits in the long term: it can help someone become more social and increase
their self-confidence. All in all, it person, making you innovative, positive, and more
empathetic.

Although some may find listening to music, a waste of their precious time listening to the
right kind of music; whether it's pop, rock, or classical is a righteous first step. Moreover, it
stimulates the creative part of your mind allowing you to think of more innovative ideas at
work and at home.
With the competition and pressure on individuals of all ages around the world increasing,
being an avid listener of music can benefit people in more ways than one as mentioned above.
Therefore sit back, listen and enjoy those eye-catching tunes by Harry styles and several
other artists the next time you feel anxious or stressed.
THE EFFECTS OF LISTENING TO MUSIC

DURING STUDYING By Gayatri Jatia

In a survey of 80 students, 94.4 percent said that they listen to music while doing
homework. A study done by Cambridge University showed that hip-hop or rap
music provides an uplifting effect on its listeners.

Music activates both the left and right hemispheres of the brain at the same time,
and the activation of both hemispheres can maximise learning and improve
memory.Background music is likely to help students improve their focus during
long study sessions. Music creates a mood and environment that can be relaxing and
help
students beat anxiety or stress while studying.

Furthermore, it reduces distractions and improves focus.Additionally, music boosts

motivation when starting a new task. A 2007 study conducted by Stanford
researchers illustrates this effect.

Using brain images of people listening to

short symphonies by an
obscure 18th-century composer,
the researchers showed that music
engages the areas of the brain involved
with paying attention,
making predictions,
and updating the event in memory.

Many teachers and parents do not approve the idea of listening to music while
studying, they say that it is disruptive and distracts you, which can be true in some
cases.
 THE EFFECTS OF LISTENING TO MUSIC

DURING STUDYING By Gayatri Jatia

Some tasks require one to focus and voncentrate. For example, if you were supposed to do

a
comprehension or read a book, it would be very difficult for you to put your full attention
to it if music was playing. It’s a natural thing for one to sing while listening to a song.

But for obvious reasons, one can’t read a comprehension passage and sing together. This
is
because singing becomes the primary task in this case. Another thing
one should keep in mind while listening to music is that if it’s too loud, fast, and agitated,
your concentration and focusing skills will be compromised.

If you aren’t the kind of person who can turn that

music into ‘white noise’ and use it to centre in on
what you read, not what you hear, your study
effectiveness will be like a download on a
dial-up modem.

Imagine that a textbook or online module is trying to help you understand a

critical phase in your study while some singer fills your ears with details of their
failing love life.

As a result, this poses a bit of a clash. Music may impair cognitive abilities when you’re
trying to memorize things in order, because you may get thrown off by the changing
words and notes in your chosen song. So, it really depends from person to person, it may
help some, but it can also distract others.
 THE WELLNESS CULTURE VIRUS

an insight By Naina Choksi

‘Romanticise your life. Become “that girl.” Be the main character.’

How often do we hear these things, specifically on our social media feeds? How
many times daily do we get sucked into the world of online wellness trends and
fads?

You cannot deny that ‘perfect’ people presenting their ‘perfect’ lives in fifteen
second snippets are inspirational on occasion. It can motivate you to journal, read
a book, start eating healthier, exercise, even meditate. It also cannot be denied
that the idea of ‘romanticising’ one’s life has positively impacted people in the
past; has gotten them to appreciate their circumstances and approach situations
with more patience and positivity.

However, there are some inevitably toxic parts of

wellness culture that leave
people feeling worse rather than better. One of
these is the notion that to be
‘well,you must look a certain way.

Women with a zero-body fat percentage,

toned muscles, or six pack abs are the only ones
that can be considered ‘well.’
Only built, muscular men care about their bodies.

On the internet, health, just like

beauty, is one size fits all. You aren’t ‘well’ unless
you are skinny. Little to no
variation exists in the body types of the most
popular wellness influencers,
because most of us are attracted to their
aesthetically appealing appearances.
 THE WELLNESS CULTURE VIRUS

an insight By Naina Choksi

This connects perfectly to the next problem with wellness culture; the obsessive
and over-glamourized version of health we are presented with today. Scrolling
through Instagram, you’d rarely find influencers exposing the less-fabulous parts
of self-improvement or glowing up; the gloomy early mornings, the struggling
faces at the gym, the bored expressions as someone may try to get through an
overhyped self-help book.

We are presented with the most specifically curated images of an influencer’s

life. Naturally, it leads one to believe that their own lives must be this perfect;
movie-like, all the time, when in fact that isn’t true that all.

The wellness culture of social media dictates that our current lifestyles, our
current routines and diets are insufficient if we want to be in the prime state of health.’
Without expensive skincare products, overpriced vitamin supplements, and endless kinds
of healing crystals, we can’t be healthy.According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global
wellness industry was valued at over 4 trillion dollars in 2019 and is expected to expand by at
least 3 trillion by 2025.

We don’t need to be spending exuberant amounts on bettering ourselves. We

don’t need to look perfect while doing it. We need to remember that ‘health and
wellness’ look different on everyone.
 The impact of Influencer

Marketing By Isha Toshniwal

Reel. Post. Story. Boomerang. Today, these words embody a strong connection with our
population, the medium being a word familiar to our ears, as is food to our mouth:
Instagram. This vast social networking application entertains over 1 billion users per
month.

People of diverse races, gender, nationality, and age utilize this application for hours on
end, daily. This platform not only provides entertainment to its users but also creates
and promotes its own ‘army’ of Instagrammers, commonly known as INFLUENCERS.

Influencers are users of an app, surpassing a given amount of ‘followers/viewers,’

enough to provide, obviously, INFLUENCE to the receiving public. Due to their strong
network of ‘fans,’ more often than not, businesses utilize this benefit to their advantage.

Brand influencers serve as the backbones to

countless businesses today. Exposing a brand
quickly to an undiscovered audience is possible
through influencer marketing. Consistent posts,
stories and advertisement by mega influencers
directly targets markets that relatively small
brands are unable to reach. By connecting with
the target audience, influencers can easily
help grow brands and businesses.

Feedback on the product can be received

immediately through comments, messages
and response by the audience to gain
knowledge of the pulse of the audience. This
can help the business employ new strategies,
thus efficiently improving marketing for the
brand.
 The impact of Influencer
Marketing By Isha Toshniwal

Mega-influencers marketing products build brand credibility as people rely on them to buy the
right products online. Traditional advertisements lack credibility and do not attract younger
generations, who possess a high purchasing power today. nfluencers can increase social media
following of a brand by popularizing an item, to reach a vast following on the brand page, and
gain loyal customers.

Traditional advertising, such as using billboards, newspapers, or magazines is not only

extremely expensive but also relatively inefficient in spreading word-of-mouth. Instead,
working with celebrity/micro/nano influencers assists in promoting a product, even with a
lower budget.

Furthermore, influencers hold the new direction for marketing, introducing extraordinary
methods of advertisement for various businesses and new-generation startups. With
growing Instagram users, small, struggling brands can gain popularity within no time.
Popularizing a product online is the easiest, fastest, and most efficient method of
advertisement today.

“Influencers –the best thing since sliced bread.”

K-POP'S RISE TO FAME
By Vrinda Jhingan

Today, K-pop (short for Korean-pop) stands as a prominent example of how media and
the internet have contributed to the sharing of art and the spreading of culture globally.
Popularised in the 2000s, K-pop has become synonymous with screaming fangirls,
upbeat tunes, vibrant colours and concepts. Recent times have seen numerous Kpop
groups, Exo, BlackPink and Twice to name a few, featured in mainstream music such
as the Billboard Hot 100.

So what was the recipe for success? Regardless of the hardcore fanbases K-pop groups
have cultivated, the true processions of K-pop industry remain a mystery to many. The
Korean industry relies on what is sometimes called a “factory” process, in creating
groups and producing artists.

K-pop singers are commonly referred to as

idols,’ but prior to that, they are required to
train for anywhere between 1-8
years in order to so much as make music
of their own. This training period sees trainees
from Korea,Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong and
China to name a few.
United under one company, trainees from different
backgrounds, speaking different languages, work
tirelessly in the fields of rap, dance and singing in
hopes of being selected to ‘debut.’ Stage two of the
process involves choosing members for a group.K-
pop bands are created almost in the same way one
would bake a cake; providing just the right amount
of each ingredient to achieve an overall satisfactory
taste.
 K-POPS RISE TO FAME By Vrinda Jhingan

These groups are required to have a rap, dance and vocal line, often having members
overlapping these roles. The requirement of each group is to have members who are
not only experts in their own field, but proficient in others as well, whilst maintaining
a visibly strong chemistry with each other. Suffice it to say, being successful in the K-
pop industry is perhaps twice as difficult as being successful in the mainstream pop
most of us know today.
There’s no denying the existence of a certain stigma when we hear the term “K-Pop.” Most of us would
only admit to having a certain respect for K-pop, perhaps for the intricate choreographies and
challenging performances put together. But an often ignored side of K-pop is shockingly the music
itself. Putting together a group of artists each with different backgrounds in music provides a well
rounded taste of genres and musical styles.
Most K-pop songs feature an element of pop, R&B, EDM or hip-hop for more
upbeat styles, often incorporating numerous genres in one. NCT’s “Cherry Bomb”, Girls
Generation’s “I Got A Boy”, and Aespa’s “Next Level” are some examples of this. Meanwhile, artists
like IU and Taeyeon also dive into a softer, ballad style. Day6 provides an alternative punk rock
style. To say K-pop is a genre itself would be to rob it of all the diversity it has to offer; there is
something for everyone.
Unlike the Western industry, the K-pop industry treats music as almost a product to the

market, complete with stunning visuals, promotions and high-budget videos. K-pop largely

differs from the Western industry by relying so heavily on this visual aspect of music in order

to hook it’s audience.

 IS CLASSICAL MUSIC
UNDERRATED ?

By Saanvi Rungta

As the piano’s keys are lightly pressed, a sweet sound reverberates,leaving

listeners entranced. Many who listen to the changing chords and melodies
have little idea as to what it means, but all who listen share the same wonder.
How does a trumpet create the sound of victory? Why is it that while
listening to cellos, one is reminded of a warm fireplace? How on earth can
a piano’s melody resemble the sound and movement of water? Classical
music, as a genre, feels distant to the average music listener.
Having gained a reputation for being music for the elite, the advanced
sheet music and daunting titles only add to how alien classical music
feels for the average listener. However, one doesn’t need to be an
orchestra player or even know how to play an instrument to appreciate
classical music.While classical music itself is classified as a solitary genre,
it’s a little-known fact that there exist many genres that exist within the sphere
of classical music itself, to suit each mood of the listener.
 IS CLASSICAL MUSIC
UNDERRATED ? By Saanvi Rungta

From dark, deep, haunting melodies to whimsical and fun tunes,

regardless of genre, the music is dripping with intense emotion.
What’s even more interesting is that like art, many pieces of classical
music have a distinct story behind them. Take Sergei Rachmaninoff’s
Concerto in C# minor: It’s said that Rachmaninoff once had a dream
that he was at a funeral, and was surrounded by his friends and
family, all of whom were hysterically upset.

Curious, and uncertain about whose funeral it was, Rachmaninoff walks

slowly towards the coffin to see who it is inside, only to come up to it and see
his own dead body within the box. What’s even more fascinating is how well
the musical piece follows this narrative!

The tension experienced by Rachmaninoff is heard within the heavy, somber

tones, and his absolute horror and fear upon finding his own dead body is
represented in the intense climax of the song.As seen in Rachmaninoff’s epic
story, to listen to classical music is an emotional journey. It’s power to sway
your emotions with the sweep of a violin bow is something that I find
exceptional, and even awe-nspiring to a greater extent.So, next time you’re
browsing Spotify,consider giving a listen to a classical music piece, regardless
of the amount of jargon in the title. Who knows, you may be in for a pleasant
surprise!
 SONG
RECOMENDATIONS
As it was by Harry Styles

August by Taylor Swift

First class by Jack Harlow

About Damn time by Lizzo

Dynamite by BTS
 SONG
RECOMENDATIONS
Numb little bug by Em
Beihold
Good 4 u by Olivia Rodrigo

Yesterday by the Beatles

Imagine by John Lennon

Life goes on by BTS

BILLBOARD
HOT 10
6. Bad Habit by Steve Lacy
7. Wait for you by Drake
8. Sunroof by Nicky Youre

9. First Class by Jack Harlow

10. Bad Decisions by Benny
BILLBOARD
HOT 10
1. Break my Soul by Beyonce
2. As it was by Harry Styles
3. About Damn time by Lizzo
4. August by Taylor Swift
5. Staying Alive by DJ Khaled