Oral 2018.docx

ANICE WONG HUI XIN 4S1

HOW KOREAN POP IDOLS AFFECTS MY LIFE Good morning teacher. Today I would like to talk about how Korean pop idols affects my life. Korean Pop, also known as K-pop, is a music genre originating in South Korea, characterized by a wide variety of audio-visual elements. In other people’s perspective, Korean pop might just be a genre or some sort of pop music, but it really means a lot to me. Through Korean pop, I have made friends with many amazing people around the world with similar interest and was given a chance to experience cultural diversity. As said, music has no boundaries or language barrier. Korean pop makes me to learn a new language. It is truly beneficial that at least I can talk Korean in basic life situations. In other words, Korean pop is my inspiration, motivation and hope in life. It inspires me to be a better person, motivate me to do well in what I'm doing and gives me hope for my future. No matter how down I'm feeling, seeing the smile on my idol's face never fails to cheer me up. Specifically, there are two certain groups called Girls’ Generation and EXO. Many may not believe how these idols have the ability to change a person's view in life and change them into a better person like they did to many fan girls including me. Before I had gotten into Korean pop 7 years back, I used to be an immature, irresponsible and rebellious kid. Disobeying my parents, hanging out with friends and neglecting my studies, that happened too often back then. All these changed when I discovered Girls’ Generation. Initially, I was only interested in their catchy and addictive songs. But as time passed by and I got to know more about them through variety and reality shows, their humorous personalities started appealing to me. And slowly from then these nine stars have started making an impact on my life. Throughout these years, I have seen them grow from teenagers to young ladies and in the process, I have also grown with them emotionally and mentally. They debuted at such a young age, the youngest being seventeen when she debuted. Knowing that fact, I have started to set goals for myself and started dreaming of my future as I knew a seventeen-year-old high schooler has already started pursuing her dream as an idol. The biggest management agencies in South Korea offer binding contracts to children starting from age 9 to 10. Trainees live together in a tightly regulated environment and spend many hours a day learning music, choreography, foreign languages as well as communication techniques with fans and journalists. This "robotic" system of training is often criticized by Western media outlets. Realizing the hardships that they have went through, such as not being able to see their parents often, having only average of two to three hours of sleep a day and vigorous training which may last up to eight hours a day, I have learnt to appreciate things in life. Even the smallest things matter. They always a smile on their faces no matter how much they are going through and one of the most burdensome problem

ANICE WONG HUI XIN 4S1

is dealing with anti-fans or even overly obsessive fans who go the extent of stalking the idols and invading their privacy. Then, there is EXO who has not debuted not long ago but, the difficulties they went through behind the scenes is really wretched. Chanyeol, my bias or in other words my favourite member, had attracted me to him is his personality. He is extremely kind and hardworking. He always puts others before himself. Sometimes I think he is far too nice for his own good. His fans mean the most to him and he never failed in showing his love for his fans. This aspect of him is what I love about him the most. I have always liked people who were amiable and compassionate and Chanyeol was certainly one of them. In conclusion, Korean pop idols makes my life happier and better. That’s all for today, thank you.