My Story

안녕하세요! My journey began in 1992 when my cousin from South Korea introduced me to Seo Taiji and Boys (서태지와 아이들). This trio envisioned a new direction for Korean music that blended elements of American hip hop, R&B, techno, and rock with hip hop choreography. Before they arrived on the scene, Korean trot music from my parents' generation was what I grew up with. Little did I know that Seo Taiji and Boys would revolutionize Korean music.

In high school, my buddy introduced me to another group, Jinusean, a Korean hip hop duo. We used to cruise around in his car listening to "Jinusean Bomb," "Gasoline," and "Tell me." This led me to discovering other artists including H.O.T., S.E.S., Fin.K.L, and Baby V.O.X and buying their cassette tapes.

In 2007, I went to South Korea to visit my relatives. It was the first time I heard of the girl group, Girls' Generation (소녀시대), whose debut single, "Into The New World," played at shops and cafes. I liked the song so much I bought their album on CD. Taeyeon, a member of the group, is now one of the best-selling solo artists in South Korea. Her music video, "INVU," is an absolute masterpiece.

In 2017, I came across another girl group, TWICE. I read about them in a local newspaper that they were coming to Vancouver to shoot their music video, "Likey." As a Vancouverite, I loved it as it featured familiar sights including English Bay, Steveston Village, Stanley Park, Gastown, and White Rock Pier. I started listening to their albums and became a fan. They are my favourite girl group to this day.

The newest group I've become a fan of is NewJeans. Their sound is unique and brings the nostalgia of my youth.

Listening to K-pop has given me an appreciation of my Korean heritage. As I look back on my journey, I'm amazed at how much the genre has become a global phenomenon since the days Seo Taiji and Boys paved the way in bringing Korean pop music to the world.

Take care,

Arnold (이상인)