In recent years, Y2K has become the hottest new trend in K-Pop. From reviving actual Y2K music and style, such as Lee HyoRi's '10 Minutes' and the 2000s makeup trend that it inspired, to contemporary K-Pop groups incorporating the Y2K style and sound, such as NewJeans and tripleS, the K-Pop industry is making the absolute most of this trend. However, we have to admit, we just can't get enough.

Why is Y2K so popular, you ask? Well, Y2K, as a buzzword in today's day and age, started with the Y2K aesthetic, which, in turn, came from social media and mainly TikTok. As trend cycles are said to repeat periodically, usually every 20 years, such a surge in the popularity of Y2K was predicted, especially with COVID-19 amplifying the need to escape to simpler times.

Demand led to supply and the K-Pop industry quickly picked up on the trend to bring us some Y2K bangers. Be it remakes of hits from the 2000s or modernized reinterpretations of the Y2K sound, this trend was not to be missed. Retro was already on the rise, with tracks like BTS' 'Dynamite', so Y2K found the perfect environment to grow and expand, which ultimately birthed the representative Y2K-inspired girl group - NewJeans.

With NewJeans, Y2K-inspired music exploded in popularity, gaining more traction than ever before in the mainstream, and we got more music that was just hitting different. Why? Because there was science backing it up!

RIIZE on X

What's the first word you think of when you listen to Y2K music? For a lot of people who experienced Y2K, it is nostalgia. For listeners who weren't born in the era where these trends are drawn from, it is arguably anemoia. Just a general longing for a time long gone that seemed much happier than now is what lies behind this attraction but there's also something very interesting happening in your brain that is making you jam out to all these Y2K hits.

It's called neural nostalgia. The music we listen to between the ages of 12 and 22 is imprinted into our brains stronger than any other music we will ever listen to. Due to the brain's rapid neurological development during these formative years, combined with the heightened emotions during this time of life, especially as we're becoming young adults, the music we listen to becomes intertwined with our lives forever.

So, if you were listening to 1st or 2nd generation K-Pop during this time, science says that you'll still sing along to those bops with just as much passion and joy as you did before, and you might even argue that it was the peak of K-Pop, simply from an emotional perspective, putting aside critical analyses. So, with the current generation of K-Pop bringing back that nostalgic sound, it's hard not to be taken back to the golden years of life, our coming of age.

This is the key to the NewJeans sound. The group doesn't just stop at Y2K but instead taps into the nostalgia of the bygone era in a timeless way so anyone and everyone can relate to the essence of their music.

For young people who are growing up with the 5th generation of K-Pop, years into the future, they will remember this generation more vividly than anything else. The importance that SHINee holds in my life may be similar to the love our future generation will have for RIIZE, and so it will go on.

Until then, take this as a life hack, and whenever you're feeling down, put on some Y2K K-Pop, and escape reality.

There are many layers to Korean entertainment that make up the surging force of the Hallyu wave. Aside from the dazzling spotlight of music show stages and the riveting storylines of K-Dramas, there are K-Variety programs that offer an abundance of laughter and good times for all. K-Variety is an umbrella term that contains larger branches of genres, making it so that there's a variety show for everyone.

In today's Hallyu landscape, K-Variety has moved away from its traditional, station-only programs, popping up all across YouTube to create a wave of web variety accessible to a more global audience. One web variety program that just dropped is "I.M ON THE BEAT" hosted by MONSTA X's I.M. Made through KBS, "I.M ON THE BEAT" aims to bring in various artists to I.M's recording studio hideout and talk to them about their musical process. With its first episode, the web variety program already gives great insight to the inner workings of famous rap duo, Dynamic Duo.

With such a refreshing start, "I.M ON THE BEAT" portrays yet another fact: that KBS are masters at music talk shows, a genre of K-Variety that many people love.

History Of KBS Music Talk Shows

KBS

Music talk show programs are not a new concept for KBS, as they've been doing it offline and in the broadcasting station for years. They polished and refined a certain formula that allowed artists to showcase their talents while talking with a host that was able to bring out a sense of sentimentality, a little bit of comedy, and all around comfort for everyone in the studio, along with viewers at home.

This prolific list includes the likes of "Noh YoungShim's Small Concert", "Lee MoonSae Show", "Lee SoRa's Proposal", "Yoon DoHyun's Love Letter", "Lee HaNa's Peppermint", and most notably, "You HeeYeol's Sketchbook". Due to their evening air time, these programs acted as an opportunity for viewers to receive a bit of healing after a long, tiring week of work. Depending on the invited guests, they were able to incorporate a mix from energetic dance tracks to calm, soothing ballads that everyone could find a song they could relate to.

In particular, "You HeeYeol's Sketchbook" rose to both national and global fame over the course of its 13 year tenure. It became home to an unstoppable wave of amazing performances from the most talented artists across the Korean music industry. Of course there were the typical K-Pop idol groups, but indie singers and surging soloists also were able to prove their mettle and showcase their undeniable talents.

Kpopmap

Even after the conclusion of "You HeeYeol's Sketchbook", it has still receiving small interest from netizens worldwide, who still felt the void from the legacy that the music talk show left behind. These shows had a great impact on audiences as they were able to receive a bit of healing from the artists that graced the stage and the small tidbits of sincere conversations that were shared. After watching an episode, viewers could definitely sleep easy with a clear heart and mind.

A New Era Featuring "The Seasons" And "Lee MuJin Service"

With "You HeeYeol's Sketchbook" coming to a close in July 2022, that meant the legacy of KBS late night music talk shows would be put on a pause — for a small moment. For a program of such prestige and longevity, it was only natural to feel its absence after its conclusion. However, that didn't mean KBS was completely void of a music talk show. Web variety music talk show, "Lee MuJin Service", hosted by musician Lee MuJin himself, premiered its first episode on February 21, 2022. The program was a roaring success with its first episode featuring (G)I-DLE's Minnie now standing at over 6M views.

As one door closed, another was opening to greet the K-Pop community with open arms. A new era was starting for KBS music talk shows and it was starting through the web variety space. As successful as "Lee MuJin Service" became, there was still something missing for the broadcasting station: a late night music program. However, it wouldn't take too long for KBS to announce a brand new initiate: "The Seasons".

Being the successor to "You HeeYeol's Sketchbook", many eyes were laser-focused on KBS' new music talk show. Whether or not it could live up to or even surpass this enormous wall of legacy remained a question mark in many people's mind. However, all worries were immediately quelled once the program started rolling.

Kpopmap

Over the course of one year, interest was booming towards "The Seasons", seeing occasional dips when it was time for the music talk show to switch MCs, as per the show's concept. Both programs were able to invite guests of trending popularity and jaw-dropping talent. This new era was a welcome one as clips of these performances were spread all across the internet, reinforcing KBS' dominate presence as one of the top music talk show makers in Korea.

Expectations For "I.M ON THE BEAT"

KBS

Now, KBS has graced its loyal viewers and fans with yet another music talk show: "I.M ON THE BEAT". At first glance, it feels totally laid back, as if you're visiting your musician friend's recording studio. But with the inclusion of KBS and I.M's own personal hosting skills, it becomes a more refined experience, as if you're meeting with friends at a wine bar.

It's a mixture of both "Lee MuJin Service" and "The Seasons" put together, being longer in length, but focusing on one artist per episode. It provides deep insight to the working life of the guest and their career journey so far. All while performing their hottest hits in between. With its level of production, the depth of conversation, and great musical skill, fans of KBS talk shows can rest assured that another hit is in the making.

However, this also means "I.M ON THE BEAT", as well as I.M himself, have a great weight to carry on their shoulders. But I.M's sincerity coupled with the positive energy his guests exude will surely break every expectation set forth for the music talk show. Now only time will tell how it continues to improve and who I.M will bring on next.

How do you like the music talk shows from KBS?

There’s no doubt that a new K-Beauty product is always trending, especially when a K-Celeb is the face of said product. In recent news, we’ve seen big names like SEVENTEEN’s WonWoo named as the new model of Korean beauty brands like The Face Shop, ZEROBASEONE becoming the new faces of COLORGRAM, and RIIZE becoming the new models of ETUDE, and many more.

There is an abundance of K-Beauty brands with K-Celebs as the face/model/ambassador of the brand - and fans are dedicated to buying these products to support their favorite K-Pop idol or Korean actor. The Olive Young top product ranking (of Apr. 25, 2024) is a great example of this. Out of the 8 products shown, 4 of them have K-Celebs (namely MONSTA X's HyungWon, Go YounJung, 2AM's Jo Kwon, and ZEROBASEONE's Kim JiWoong) as the face of the product, which can increase the odds of consumers buying the product.

Olive Young Screenshot (25/04/2024)

If you've ever wondered why brands opt to add celebrities to their marketing campaigns, a look at the following data from 2021 by LaunchMetrics proves the impact that Korean celebrities (namely BLACKPINK's Jennie and JiSoo, and BIGBANG's G-Dragon) have had on international luxury brands for fashion and cosmetics (which has only grown stronger since then).

LaunchMetrics

If that is the impact that K-Celebs can have on international brands, then it goes without saying that they would have a similar impact on local K-Beauty brands, too.

However, recently fans have been raising the question wondering why K-Celebrities (especially veterans and big names) don't venture into creating their own cosmetics and beauty brands. If they did, surely they'd make a lucrative profit from their fans' support...

In the case of the Western world, artists like Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, and Rihanna have infiltrated the global beauty market with their respective brands. Beyoncé has recently gone viral for her content utilizing her hair care products Cécred, Selena Gomez has become a sensation on social media with her cosmetics brand Rare Beauty, and Rihanna has also created a cosmetics brand that is a staple on the dressing tables of many in the form of Fenty Beauty. So, why don't K-Celebrities leverage their fandoms and take the leap?

The K-Beauty Celebrity Cosmetics Landscape Is Not Non-Existent

If you're looking for K-Celebrity cosmetics, but feeling bleak because you can't find any, then don't despair. There is one brand that you can seek out!

That's not to say that K-Pop idols haven't ventured into creating their own cosmetics brands at all. Jeon SoMi is one of the first K-Pop idols to attempt her own cosmetics line.

 

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She launched the makeup brand GLYF which she had been working on since 2023.

Negative Reactions To A K-Celebrity Makeup Line

However, the product launch was met with some pushback from netizens as they questioned her intention/sincerity and the pricing of the product.

Some argued that Jeon SoMi's first product, the ILLUÉTTE Highlighter Palette (four colors) at 43,000 Korean won (about 31.39 USD), is too expensive.

Whilst this sentiment spread across communities, to be objective, similar celebrity brands in the West charge similarly or even more. The Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter (one or two colors) retails for 74,100 Korean won (about 54.02 USD) and the Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter (one color) retails for 25 USD (about 34,274 Korean won).

On the other hand, if you compare a similar highlighter palette (with 4 colors) from the Korean brand IPKN called the IPKN Flap One Face Palette, it retails for 32,000 Korean won (about 23.23 USD).

Note: all prices and conversions are as of Apr. 24, 2024.

GLYF Official / Fenty Beauty Official / Rare Beauty Official / Olive Young

Taking these brands into consideration, Jeon SoMi's product is slightly on the pricey side but not entirely out of reach. It is up to consumers to buy a product in their comfortable price range.

The Likeliness Of More K-Celebs Opening Brands In Future

Whilst K-Pop idols are at a career and popularity advantage to launch products in the form of beauty and fashion brands, there might be some hesitance on their part due to potential backlash from fans. Jeon SoMi is one case study, but so is former Girls' Generation member Jessica Jung, who faced backlash from her agency when trying to launch her current fashion brand BLANC & ECLARE.

Some fans perceive pursuing businesses like this as a distraction and a lack of dedication to being an idol. Even in the West, Rihanna has received a lot of backlash for not releasing music and focusing solely on her beauty brand, for example.

As K-Pop fandom prioritizes a relationship with the K-Pop idol, for instance, whilst there might be an outpouring of support for the idol's brand - fans might not like the change in focus.

There is also the issue of K-Pop idols losing out on much-needed brand deals essential to marketing their groups or themselves. This is because beauty brand models are usually tied to only promoting that specific brand due to exclusivity clauses in the contract.

Lastly, and naturally, creating a brand in a saturated market is also a huge risk that K-Celebs may not have the time or energy to take on. Especially in South Korea, where K-Beauty giants such as Olive Young rule the day, it might be difficult to navigate the brands under that umbrella and other competitors. Even a brand (distributor) as huge as Sephora (selling international brands) has had to close down operations in South Korea due to being unable to beat the local K-Beauty market.

If competition can be this fierce between distributors, then it will undoubtedly be just as fierce amongst actual brand competitors.

However, there is still hope that more K-Celebs will take the leap to create products that can help fans feel closer to or like them.

What do you think? Should more K-Celebs be starting beauty brands? Do you reckon that being the face of another K-Beauty brand and not starting their own is the best way for K-Celebs to be part of the K-Beauty industry?