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.

Some idols are complete introverts who are amazingly charismatic on stage, yet are internally shy when the cameras turn off. To bring them out of their shell, sometimes a mood maker is needed for their electrifyingly good vibes and refreshing personality. This type of person is important to any group to keep everyone's spirits positive and up in any situation.

So how do you say "mood maker" in Korean? Let's find out below!

분위기 메이커

bun-wi-gi mae-keo

mood maker

In essence, it takes the Korean word for 'mood'/'atmosphere' and combines it with the Konglish pronunciation of 'maker'. When used together, they form "mood maker". You can use it to describe the happy vitamin of your group who brings all the smiles and laughter. You can also see how to say it down below with TXT's BeomGyu on "JaeFriends".

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?