Art and Culture
Art reflects culture, but it also has the power to challenge it.
Overview
For my AIS project, I explored how K-pop media reflects the evolution of contemporary feminism in South Korea. I examined how female idols navigate empowerment, beauty standards, patriarchal expectations, and fandom culture within the Korean entertainment industry through music video analysis, lyrical and cultural research.
I investigated how visual story-telling through K-pop music could challenge as well as conform to gender stereotypes. Through my studies on topics such as the male gaze, self-expression, objectification, and public backlash against female artists, I came to understand how artistic media is used to create dialogue in society.
Reflection
This research project helped me rethink art and popular culture. Prior to this research, I only understood K-pop as a form of entertainment and artistic expression. Yet, upon closer examination, I found that K-pop could also be used as a means for conveying culturally significant messages on gender and identity.
My study taught me that art cannot exist outside of culture. Rather, it is part of the culture, which shapes art while art shapes the culture in return. The study demonstrated how K-pop can act as a powerful artistic tool for empowering individuals while also provoking controversy.