BTS, BLACKPINK, And NewJeans’ Lyrics Spark Heated Debate Among Korean Netizens

Netizens reacted to English’s increasing role in K-Pop.

Previously, we reported on the large increase in English lyrics in K-Pop. According to Circle Chart’s senior researcher Kim Jin Woo, the proportion of English in the lyrics of girl group music that ranked in the top 400 digital charts in the first half of this year was 41.3%, an 18.9% increase compared to the same period in 2018.

K-pop Girl Group Proportion of English Lyrics Increases 18.9% As They Target Overseas Markets

Although there are groups, such as IVE, who used a relatively low amount of English lyrics (24.9%), some of K-Pop’s most successful acts sang half their songs in English. This is especially true when you consider the percentage of English lyrics in (G)I-DLE (53.6%), LE SSERAFIM (50.6%), BLACKPINK (50%), NMIXX (49.3%), and NewJeans (48.4%).

According to a previous article, a researcher believed that the increase in English is directly attributed to the industry’s catering to a more international consumer base.

After BLACKPINK’s global success, the domestic market for girl groups expanded overseas, and the proportion of English users increased. Looking at each group, the more overseas consumers there are, the higher the proportion of English users.

— Kim Jin Woo

Korean netizens reacted to the news with mixed reactions. While some felt that the lack of Korean were concerning, others felt it was necessary considering K-Pop has become an international genre.

• “These days, it is so serious. How can you call it K-Pop? See how good songs like “Rose Blossom” and “Event Horizon” are.”
• “At the end of the day, they are trying to make money. Because the Korean market is small, they are writing songs in English to attract more international listeners. There isn’t anything to be done about it. It isn’t like they don’t release any songs in Korean.”
• “I was shocked seeing LE SSERAFIM sing that game song on Music Bank, LOL. There was a time when singers couldn’t even color their hair blonde.”
• “I honestly am disappointed that BTS only releases music in English… But I do understand that it’s inevitable.”
• “I don’t understand why they use English songs and promote songs that are only in English.”
• “If you don’t like it, then don’t listen to it. Why are you making it seem like songs that are written in English is a problem? There are people who listen to it because it’s good.”
• “Then they should debut as pop artists. Why K-Pop?”
• “Why does the report only name girl groups when there is BTS?”
• “But I don’t think they would be competitive internationally if they didn’t use any English.”
• “They call it K-Pop but sing in English gibberish.”
• “I really hate English lyrics.”

What are your thoughts?