K-Pop Idols Using AAVE — Is It A Problem?
Recently, JAMIE (former member of the duo 15& and the project group M.O.L.A, also formerly known as Jimin Park) was criticized for misusing for AAVE.
AAVE, or African-American Vernacular English, is a variety of English spoken primarily by black communities in America. Frequently today, AAVE is mislabeled as Gen-Z or TikTok slang and lingo.
During the episode of Hwaiting, JAMIE incorrectly used the term “cap” while accusing Keeho of lying.
@lovseob poor kyo 🙁 #lovseob #p1harmony #p1ece
While this has brought up the conversation, JAMIE is not the only artist accused of misusing AAVE.
In BTS Jungkook’s “My Time” fans found the lyrics “someday I’ll finna find my time” awkward and incorrect; fans also found the phrase “you’re gonna finna catch me” to take away from BLACKPINK’s “As If It’s Your Last.”
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by u/mylovelifeisamess from discussion The use of AAVE in kpop needs to stop.
in kpoprants
K-Pop is directly influenced by Black culture, from the musical styles to outfits worn by groups. Many idols list black musicians from the past and present as their inspirations.
With the admiration, unfortunately, comes instances of cultural appropriation, “The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.”
Influence is one thing….these girls are literally cosplaying black folks down to the vernacular and the style…. https://t.co/42EKY2NgIz
— ♡princess♡ (@heonibrii) May 23, 2023
Lee Gyu Tag, a professor of cultural studies at George Mason University, discussed this issue and why cultural appropriation frequently happens among idols.
For instance, K-pop is heavily influenced by African-American culture, but hardly anyone in Korea knows or really cares about that. I doubt that the K-pop idols know much about the African-American roots of the music and fashion they present.
— Lee Gyu Tag
This lack of understanding can lead to repeated instances, like continued misusage of AAVE.
Black fans have discussed the usage of AAVE in depth, pointing out that it is usually misused and done when trying to emulate “hood” behavior. Another issue is, like with other things appropriated, it is used to sound “cool,” while people who really speak that way are viewed negatively because of it.
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by u/TravelBeauty20 from discussion As a black Kpop stan, do you care about idols using AAVE? If so does it offend you?
in kpopnoir
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by u/taebaegi from discussion As a black Kpop stan, do you care about idols using AAVE? If so does it offend you?
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by u/Snoopy50769 from discussion As a black Kpop stan, do you care about idols using AAVE? If so does it offend you?
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It seems many fans are bothered most by the misusage and overacting that often accompanies K-Pop idol usage of AAVE, and that, because of the nature of language, they would be less bothered if it was spoken normally.
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