Asian+Studies+Final+Arnold+H

The Differences in the Music of 3 Different East Asian Countries in terms of Style, Genre, and Popularity. (Buck-Tick, 1987~)

(Total Music Market)

For the past few decades, music of the there East Asian nations, China, Japan, Korea, had developed immensely. Even though they are all based on Popular music of western nations, each country's musical culture has in different ways and acquired differnet chacracteristics. Just like traditional African music was combined with white music and created African American genres like Jazz, Blues, Funk, Soul, each nation's traditional music and culture was combined to the western influences, creating its own distinctive style. Each nation's music also changed due to the political, economic situation in the nation and the taste of the public.

Today, the music of Asia is spreading all over the world including major countries like the United States, the United Kingdom. This is a fruit of efforts of numerous musicians for developments over the past few decades. Western musicians are starting to recognize Asian musicians as rivals or even role models, not newcomers. East Asia is also known as huge, well developed markets by Western musicians and businessmen. Today, western musicians are making efforts to dominate the East Asian market. Asian musicians will constantly adopt changes and developments to make musical progress and defend the market.

Korea



(Gukkasten, One of the most famous indie bands in Korea)

Basic Information: If one were to describe the music business in Korea with one only word, the word would be "chaos". The situation in Korea in terms of music has become choatic over the past few years. Since few years ago, the market has been dominated by teenage idol stars, and musicans has lost their share. Even though there are various charts, all you can see is the names of various teenage pop bands. Except for few famous bands, most of the real musicans do not have any chance to become known by the public. There are barely any opportunities to make appearances on TV. One can rarely hear the music of indie musicians on the radio.

The spiritual climate of Korea is also one of the main reasons why the musicians are very disengaged. One of the bad ideas that Koreans have in their minds is that it is ok to download music from the internet. Thus, most of the people do not buy music. For teenage pop idols, it is ok since they can make profit by doing other things like TV shows, films, commercials. But for musicians, it is a major revenue loss. Another spiritual factor that contributes to the downfall of music industry in Korea is the zeal for children's education. Parents' enthusiasm to make their children eduacated is preventing those who have potential in music from showing their talent. Also, it makes it harder for teenagers to go to concerts and have access with real music. Thus the teenagers can only listen to the music that is on the media frequently.

Style and Genre:

Modern Rock media type="youtube" key="tpvCjh06eC0?version=3" height="349" width="560" Cheapie Coffee by Jang Ki-ha and the Faces (싸구려 커피 - 장기하와 얼굴들), EBS

Even though musicians are generally unknown by the public, some bands are widely known by the people. The musical style of these bands, commonly known as "Modern Rock" or "Soft Rock", is often described as smooth, sweet, or popular. Since the definition of Modern Rock is quite vague, therere are many Korean bands with different styles that are called Modern Rock band. Many of them are similar to Brit-pop bands of the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, comparing to other genre like Heavy Metal or Hard Rock, Modern Rock is very popular and recognized by the public.

Sister's Babershop(언니네 이발관, 1996~) media type="youtube" key="6q5mc-m-bhQ?version=3" height="349" width="560" Unexpected Fact(의외의 사실), EBS

The members of Sister's Barbershop gathered through a internet community in the yeat 1994. The band released its debut album "Pigeons are Rats in the Sky"(비둘기는 하늘의 쥐). After the release of its first album, the band became a sensation. More than 60,000 copies were sold, which is quite incredible for a Korean indie band. Since 1996, the band has released 5 albums. All of them achieved both critical and commercial success. Sister's Barbershop became one of the most popular bands in Korea.

Nell(넬, 1999~) media type="youtube" key="q2g9GTMcNII?version=3" height="349" width="425" Peter Pan is Dead(피터팬은 죽었다), MBC

Nell is one of the few bands that entered the mainstream. Nell was able to enter mainstream in 2002 with the help of Seo Taiji. The distinctive style that is similar to that of Coldplay or Radiohead is well appreciated by critics and the public. Nell achieved great success after entering mainstream, winning first places in many different charts. The band is currently in a resting phase due to the members' military duties.

Jang Ki-ha and the Faces(장기하와 얼굴들, 2008~) media type="youtube" key="VaUahUoUPIs?version=3" height="349" width="560" The Moon is Waxing, Let's Go(달이 차오른다, 가자), KBS

media type="youtube" key="dvwwGisCBOM?version=3" height="349" width="560" There's Nothing Here(아무것도 없잖어), MBC

Jang Ki-ha, the leader of the band, decided to form a band after graduating from Seoul National University. He thought. "A good band needs hadsome members". He gathered the most handsome musicians in Korea. The band released its first album in the year 2009. After the release of the album, the band's unique style, including the country-like sound, unique dance routines, and psychedelic lyrics, became one of the biggest musical trends in Korea in 2009. People praised Jang Ki-ha with the title of "genius", "eccentric", or even "dreamer". The band released its second album in June, 2011. The band is about become a sensation once again.

Psychedelic and Others media type="youtube" key="MMpb08KFl-o?version=3" height="349" width="560" Experiment by Wiretap in My Ear a.k.a Prana (실험 - 내귀에 도청장치), Official Music Video

Even though Modern Rock is the general trend in Korea, there are some bands that gained success with other genres. These bands has tried experimentative sounds and psychedelic tones and techniques, acquiring their distinctive styles. Some of them are classified as Hard Rock or Progressive Rock bands. Some of them are classified as Punk bands. Few of them are classified as Heavy Metal bands.

Gukkasten(국카스텐, 2007~) media type="youtube" key="Z0qxFg5659o?version=3" height="349" width="425" Vitriol(비트리올), EBS

Even though the style of Gukkasten is psychedelic, maniac, and experimentative, it appealed to the public. After the release of the band's debut album, the public acknowledged the band's outstanding musicality and praised the musicanship. As the most popular Psychedelic Rock band in Korea, Gukkasten is expected to lead the revival of the popular music scene of Korea.

Japan  (L'Arc~en~Ciel, A legendary Japanese band)

Basic Information: Japan has the second biggest music industry in the world. The economy and population of Japan made the success of the music industry in the nation inevitable. Some of the companies that are related to the music industry is even bigger than those in the United States. Sony Music Entertainment is one of the greatest and ifluential record companies in the world. Yamaha is the greatest manufacturer of musical instruments in the world. Oricon chart is one of the most reliable music charts in the world. The popularity of Japanese artists is not limited to Japan. Japanese artists and their music are appreciated by people from various different nations especially in Korea, France, and the United States. Japanese artists are frequently on Billboard. For example, Loudness was on the Billboard Hot 100. Sakamoto Kyu even hit number one on the Billboard in the year 1963. Sometimes Japanese music industry is connected to other industries like the animation and the film industry, creating more profit and fans of Japanese culture.

In Japan, the circumstance is quite easy for musicians to actively release records and put on shows; it is certainly much easier than in Korea. The indie scene of Japan is the biggest in Asia, and numerous new bands appear every year in order to display their creativities. Musicians are as popular as teenage pop idols, and they have equal, or sometimes more opportunities to appear in media. Popular bands sometimes sell more than 1 million copies of their albums (yes, it is possible for an album to reach platinum status in Japan) and their lives are visited by thousands of people.

Style and Genre:

Hard Rock media type="youtube" key="UutksH6cu9k?version=3" height="349" width="560" Leaving the Foggy Sky Behind by Janne Da Arc ( 霞みゆく空背にして- Janne Da Arc ジャンヌダルク), 2005 Dearly Live Osaka Cho Hall

Hard Rock is one of the most popular genres of music in Japan. It is simple; it is tuneful and energizing. Hard Rock is one of the typical genres of Japanese popular music industry. Numerous Hard Rock bands are formed, disbanded, and re-formed every year. Popular Hard Rock bands sell millions of copies of their albums even today, and put on live shows all over the world including Asia, America, and Europe.

L'Arc~en~Ciel(ラルクアンシエル, 1991~) media type="custom" key="9745854" Ready Steady Go, 15th L'Anniversary in Tokyo Dome

media type="custom" key="9745878" Seventh Heaven, Live in Paris

media type="custom" key="9747648" Link, 15th L'Anniversary in Tokyo Dome

L'Arc~en~Ciel is one of the most poular bands in Japan. In fact, it is not just popular; it is legendary. Formed in Osaka in the year 1991, L'Arc~en~Ciel became known as one of the bands that define Japanese Hard Rock. The band has sold more than 30 millions copies of singles and albums in Japan alone. All members contribute to the band's musical style, without creating any conflict. There was only one member change throughout 20 years of its history, and it was because of the imprisonment of the drummer due to illegal drug uses, not because of conflict within the band. Even though the heyday of the band was mid and late 1990s, the band is still widely appreciated by the public. 110,000 tickets of their 15th anniversary live in Tokyo Dome, also known as "15th L'Anniversary", were sold out in 2 minutes. The band successfully finished their 20th anniversary live, "20th L'Anniversary, L'A Happy New Year" in 2011.

The band members sometimes exchange their roles with each other during lives. This "side project" is known as Punk~en~Ciel. media type="custom" key="9745934" Stay Away(Punk~en~Ciel), Live in Paris

B'z(1988~) media type="youtube" key="GK7xWvVAM6I?version=3" height="349" width="560" Juice, B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2008 - Glory Days Yokohama Nissan Stadium

B'z is the most famous, successful band in Japan. The band's consecutive production of number one hits since 1990 proves that B'z is the most sucessful band in Japan. Musicians with worldwide fame worked with B'z, and help the band with its projects. Gibson produced a tribute guitar just for the band's guitarist Matsumoto Takahiro. This was the first time for Gibson to produce a tribute work for an Asian aritist. The name of the band was initiated into the Hollywood's Rock Walk. The band's album "B'z the best-Pleasure" is the second best selling album of all time in Japan. Without a doubt, B'z is a legend of not only Hard Rock, but the whole Japanese music.

B'z initiation into the Hollywood's Rock Walk

Fukuyama Masaharu(福山雅治, 1990~, 1969~) media type="youtube" key="Oo0rB4xN3So?version=3" height="349" width="560" Keshin(化身), 20th Anniversary We're Bros Tour (The song starts from 1:11)

Fukuyama Masaharu is a musician, an actor, a director, a producer, a photographer, and a filmmaker. He is the most popular celebrity among the male population, and the second most popular among the female population. He made appearances on many famous movies and TV series in Japan. He acted Sakamoto Ryoma, a revolutionary individual during the Meiji reformation, in the NHK TV series Ryomaden, which indicates that he is a superstar. His photos were on magazines and galleries. However, he describes himself as a musican. Fukuyama constantly produced hit albums and sold millions of copies. His lives and tours are visited by millions. Japan will always love Fukuyama Masaharu and remeber him even if he disappears.

Heavy Metal

Japanese Heavy Metal, also known as Zappa Metal in Japan, is a very popular genre of music in the region. Influenced by Neo-classical Metal and Speed Metal, a lot of prominent Japanese Metal bands released their albums and enfevered Metal listeners both in and out of Japan. Loundness, a famous Japanese Metal band, entered the Billboard Hot 100 in the 80s. Also, Vow Wow, another famous Japanese Metal band, hit number 10 in UK chart.

Loudness(1981~) media type="youtube" key="OwOnbq6pnvA?version=3" height="349" width="560" Crazy Doctor, 2009 Live

If one were to pick the most famous Japanese Metal band in the West, one would probably pick Loudness. Formed in 1981 by guitarist Takasaki Akira, Loudness released 23 albums (five in America) by late 00s. In their moment of maximum international popularity, the band reached Billboard Top 100. The band influenced American bands like Metallica, Mr. Big, and Megadeth. The guitarist of Loundess, Takasaki Akira, brought remarkable developments and changes in the "Right hand technique" or "tapping", orignially created by Edward Van Halen.

Visual Kei(ヴィジュアル系) media type="youtube" key="RqQSHUm6iZc?version=3" height="349" width="425" Weekend by X-Japan, 1993 Tokyo Dome Live

media type="youtube" key="M3tr58vKpVA?version=3" height="349" width="425" Rain by SID (レイン - シド), 2011 Saitama Super Arena Live

Visual Kei, also known as Visual Rock, is a style or a movement rather than a genre. It started in the 80s and became popular in the 90s. Started by X-Japan, Visual Kei became a trend in Japanese music industry in 1990s. Normally, a Visual Kei band drmatic and unique costumes, makeups, and accessories. The gothic and mysterious style of Visual Kei bands appealed to many people, mostly women, and brought commerical success to the band. However, today, Visual Key bands are very maniac and unpopular. They are sometimes blamed for the depreciation of Japanese Rock music. Extreme Rock fans sometimes describe VIsual Kei bands as “gay”, “emo”, or other terms related to homosexuality. Producers put appearance over other important qualities like skill and muscianship when hiring a band member. Visual Kei band members sometimes committ major crimes, making the public to have a misconception on other Japanese Rock bands.

The Klack Incident

Klack, a Visual Kei band, was widely known for the brutal acts of the members. The vocalist was once arrested for trying to rape a fan. The guitarist was in loan-sharking business for several years. The bassist was a drug addict. The band was once arrested because they tried to film a music video in North Korea. In a Rock festival in 2006, the band played a real video clip of a Japanese man getting decapitated by Arabian terrorists without any censorship whatsoever. The band was arrested immediately. The repuation of the whole Visual scene crashed.

Japanese Style of Shredding media type="youtube" key="tcHRQbnrFmw?version=3" height="349" width="560" Are You Gonna Win? by Dimension, EBS

media type="youtube" key="0aLT9eust5k?version=3" height="349" width="425" The Yoshida Brothers

Japanese instrumentalists, especially guitarists, tend to use the shredding style when playing. Even though American artists and bands use shredd guitar too, the style is usually used in genres like Heavy Metal. However in Japan, it is used in almost any genre of music. Takasaki Akira, the guitarist of Loudness, gained wordwide fame because of his fast guitar solos. When one listens to an album of a random Japanese artist, even a teenage idol, it is very likely that he or she will hear a extremely fast and technical instrument solo. The reason of this phenomenon is probably becuase of Shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument. Shamisen cannot be played without speed and technique. Therefore, this is a good example of combination of western influence and traditional culture.

China

(Overload)

Despite its great territory and excessive population, the music industry of China is very small. Due to the long period of Communist dictatorship and totalitarian society, cultural developments had been quite slow. However, the music industry of China is constantly growing after the nation's open-door policy and economic growth. The popular music of China is very unique and quite different from that of other countries. It is heavily influenced by the rich traditional musical culture of China. The popular music of China became known as Mandopop or Cantopop due to its uniqueness.

Style and Genre:

Rock Music media type="youtube" key="eTBUFclEyxE?version=3" height="349" width="425" The Future by Lonely China Day

Chinese Rock music, also known as Mandorock or Cantorock, was originated from Chinese folk music during the 1980s. In Beijing in the year 1984, Cui Jian performed the song "Nothing to My Name" and created Chinese Rock and Roll. Rock music became popular among young Chinese people who were cynical and critical about the traditional beliefs and communism in China. After the Tian'anmen Square protests, Rock music became a sensation among Chinese urban youth. Popular artists made appearances on CCTV and MTV China. Even today, Rock music represents the spirit of resistance in China.

Tang Dynasty(1988~) media type="youtube" key="BE7yn2V2_HA?version=3" height="349" width="425" Decide (选择)

Tang Dynasty is one of the most influential Rock bands in China. Tang Dynasty's style is classified as Art Rock or Progressive Rock. The band's debut album "A Dream Return to Tang Dynasty" officially sold more than 2 million authentic copies in Asia, not counting numerous illegal copies. Liu Yijun, the guitarist of the band, became known as the first guitar hero of China. Tang Dynasty was praised by millions of young people in China, giving them hope of going back the glorious days of Tang Dynasty and fighting against the communist government.

Self Evaluation

What did you contribute specifically to your project? This was an individual project, therefore the whole project was produced by myself. I researched each nation and gathered as much information as I could. Korea and Japan did not take that much time to research while China took quite a long time to gather information. Then I made the wikipage and put in the information that I reseached. I first wrote Korea, then Japan, then China. I finished the work by putting the videos that I needed in each section and citations.

How successful do you think you conveyed your research to your audience?

I think that it was quite successful conveying my research. I worte pretty clearly how the circumstances are in each country. Then I put videos in order to make the reader easier to understand what I wrote about since music cannnot be fully described without audio examples. The video makes the readers able to understand how each artist's style differ from those of others even if they did not read my document.

What would have made your presentation more successful? My presentation is focused very much on Rock Music, even though I did not specify the genre in the title and just wrote "music". It would have been better if I put information about different genres like Hip Hop or Jazz. I also should have done in-text citations.

How successful do you think your technology-based materials were in conveying your research? My videos are very relevent to the topic and it makes it much easier for the readers to understand what I wrote. Therefore, my technology-based materials were quite successful in conveying my research.

What would have made your technology-based materials more successful? I could have tried to find videos with better video and sound qualities. It would have been much interesting for the readers if I did so.

What did you learn from this project? Submit any other comments after this question. This project was an interesting opportunity to learn about different musicans and styles in East Asian nations. Before the research, I usually listened to Japanese artists. I had little bit of knowledge in Korean artists, and absolutely no knowledge in Chinese musicians. By completing the project, I learned that there are still brilliant musicians in Korea. I also learned that China has its own music industry and it is not a musical wasteland.

Citations

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