By Marat Aizhan 08.11.2023
The world of pop music is constantly evolving, with new trends and styles emerging from all corners of the globe. Over the past ten years, along with Western and European music, Asian performers have become increasingly popular. They are divided into genres such as K-pop, C-pop and J-pop, but not everyone understands the difference between them and sometimes gets confused when calling Korean singers Chinese or listening to Japanese groups calling them K-pop. this is disappointing and can sometimes offend Asians. Today I want to explain the difference so that there is no more confusion and misunderstanding.
Let's start with the most obvious. The first letter before the word pop indicates the country. K(Korean)pop, Q(Qazaqstani)pop and also with Japan. In China «C» also means «Cantonese» pop. Also a fun fact. Kazakhstan in English is written through «K», but for the genre the letter was chosen to avoid confusion with K-pop, also in Latin the name of our country is written as Qazaqstan.
But letters are not the only difference in genres. Let's look at each genre separately to learn more and see its differences:
K-pop (Korean pop music) is a musical genre that originated in South Korea, more aimed at westernization and incorporates elements of Western electropop, hip-hop, dance music and modern rhythm and blues. Originating as a musical genre, K-pop has grown into a large-scale music subculture with millions of fans among young people around the world. K-Pop is known for its colorful dance moves, colorful fashion and catchy choreography, with groups often consisting of multiple members. Additionally, K-Pop often emphasizes the importance of visual elements, which can be seen in music videos and promotional materials, as well as live performances. Some examples of popular K-Pop groups include BTS, BLACKPINK, and EXO.
J-pop (Japanese pop) is the classification of Japanese popular music. Sometimes the term is used for rock music in Japan, but for it the other term J-rock is mainly used. Pop differs from K-Pop and C-Pop in that it often combines elements of pop, rock and jazz with influences from genres such as disco, new wave, etc. J-Pop also has a strong emphasis on visual elements , similar to K-Pop, but its visual style tends to be more subtle and elegant. Additionally, J-Pop often features complex melodies and lyrics that explore themes of love, relationships, and the human condition. Some popular J-Pop artists include AKB48, B'z, and Namie Amuro.
C-pop (Chinese pop music). Like K-Pop, C-Pop often draws on elements of Western pop music, but also incorporates traditional Chinese elements such as traditional instruments and vocal styles. Additionally, C-Pop can be divided into two main categories: "Mandopop" and "Cantopop". Mandopop is popular throughout the Chinese-speaking world and is often performed in Chinese, while Cantopop is specific to Hong Kong and is traditionally performed in Cantonese. Cantopop is also called HK-pop, Hong Kong popular music. Cantopop is influenced not only by Chinese music itself, but also by many international genres: jazz, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, electronic music, Western pop music and others. Lyrics in Cantonese popular music are almost always written in RMB. Popular C-Pop artists include Jason Zhang, Jackie Chan and Jay Chou.
Q-pop (Qazaqstani pop). And I hasten to tell you about a genre that was created in our country not so long ago and is already successfully developing in the world. Q-Pop is a fusion of traditional Kazakh folk music and modern pop, and is characterized by its use of traditional Kazakh instruments, such as the dombra and the komuz. Even if there are no Kazakh instruments in the music, the artists still do not forget to add a piece of culture to the music video. Q-Pop often features lyrics in the Kazakh language, which is closely related to Turkish and Mongolian, and expresses themes of love, loss, and the beauty of the Kazakh steppe.
While Q-Pop may not be as well-known as other pop genres, it is a unique and vibrant addition to the global music landscape. Q-Pop has become an important part of Kazakh identity, with its blending of traditional cultural elements with modern musical trends. Our artists promote Kazakh culture abroad through their music and really get a response. Example of artists Ninety-One, Crystalz, JUZIM, ALPHA
While K-Pop, Q-pop, C-Pop, and J-Pop each have their own unique aspects, they share many similarities as well. They all are deeply ingrained in their respective cultures and are often used to express the values and experiences of the people of those countries. These genres have become global phenomena, with fans all over the world, and their popularity is a testament to the power of music to transcend language and cultural barriers. The main difference is the language, culture, standards of beauty, and the genres they rely on.
References
https://www.last.fm/ru/tag/q-pop/artists
https://go.zvuk.com/stati/ne-koreicami-edinymi-osobennosti-j-pop-i-c-pop.htm
https://www.nur.kz/family/gloss/1838455-kej-pop-cto-eto-pocemu-vse-govorat-o-kej-pop-gruppah/
https://dzen.ru/a/X5SWj03MXGE8Av94
https://go.zvuk.com/v-trende/krasivye-kazakhi-i-ikh-muzyka-chto-takoe-q-pop.htm
The world of pop music is constantly evolving, with new trends and styles emerging from all corners of the globe. Over the past ten years, along with Western and European music, Asian performers have become increasingly popular. They are divided into genres such as K-pop, C-pop and J-pop, but not everyone understands the difference between them and sometimes gets confused when calling Korean singers Chinese or listening to Japanese groups calling them K-pop. this is disappointing and can sometimes offend Asians. Today I want to explain the difference so that there is no more confusion and misunderstanding.
Let's start with the most obvious. The first letter before the word pop indicates the country. K(Korean)pop, Q(Qazaqstani)pop and also with Japan. In China «C» also means «Cantonese» pop. Also a fun fact. Kazakhstan in English is written through «K», but for the genre the letter was chosen to avoid confusion with K-pop, also in Latin the name of our country is written as Qazaqstan.
But letters are not the only difference in genres. Let's look at each genre separately to learn more and see its differences:
K-pop (Korean pop music) is a musical genre that originated in South Korea, more aimed at westernization and incorporates elements of Western electropop, hip-hop, dance music and modern rhythm and blues. Originating as a musical genre, K-pop has grown into a large-scale music subculture with millions of fans among young people around the world. K-Pop is known for its colorful dance moves, colorful fashion and catchy choreography, with groups often consisting of multiple members. Additionally, K-Pop often emphasizes the importance of visual elements, which can be seen in music videos and promotional materials, as well as live performances. Some examples of popular K-Pop groups include BTS, BLACKPINK, and EXO.
J-pop (Japanese pop) is the classification of Japanese popular music. Sometimes the term is used for rock music in Japan, but for it the other term J-rock is mainly used. Pop differs from K-Pop and C-Pop in that it often combines elements of pop, rock and jazz with influences from genres such as disco, new wave, etc. J-Pop also has a strong emphasis on visual elements , similar to K-Pop, but its visual style tends to be more subtle and elegant. Additionally, J-Pop often features complex melodies and lyrics that explore themes of love, relationships, and the human condition. Some popular J-Pop artists include AKB48, B'z, and Namie Amuro.
C-pop (Chinese pop music). Like K-Pop, C-Pop often draws on elements of Western pop music, but also incorporates traditional Chinese elements such as traditional instruments and vocal styles. Additionally, C-Pop can be divided into two main categories: "Mandopop" and "Cantopop". Mandopop is popular throughout the Chinese-speaking world and is often performed in Chinese, while Cantopop is specific to Hong Kong and is traditionally performed in Cantonese. Cantopop is also called HK-pop, Hong Kong popular music. Cantopop is influenced not only by Chinese music itself, but also by many international genres: jazz, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, electronic music, Western pop music and others. Lyrics in Cantonese popular music are almost always written in RMB. Popular C-Pop artists include Jason Zhang, Jackie Chan and Jay Chou.
Q-pop (Qazaqstani pop). And I hasten to tell you about a genre that was created in our country not so long ago and is already successfully developing in the world. Q-Pop is a fusion of traditional Kazakh folk music and modern pop, and is characterized by its use of traditional Kazakh instruments, such as the dombra and the komuz. Even if there are no Kazakh instruments in the music, the artists still do not forget to add a piece of culture to the music video. Q-Pop often features lyrics in the Kazakh language, which is closely related to Turkish and Mongolian, and expresses themes of love, loss, and the beauty of the Kazakh steppe.
While Q-Pop may not be as well-known as other pop genres, it is a unique and vibrant addition to the global music landscape. Q-Pop has become an important part of Kazakh identity, with its blending of traditional cultural elements with modern musical trends. Our artists promote Kazakh culture abroad through their music and really get a response. Example of artists Ninety-One, Crystalz, JUZIM, ALPHA
While K-Pop, Q-pop, C-Pop, and J-Pop each have their own unique aspects, they share many similarities as well. They all are deeply ingrained in their respective cultures and are often used to express the values and experiences of the people of those countries. These genres have become global phenomena, with fans all over the world, and their popularity is a testament to the power of music to transcend language and cultural barriers. The main difference is the language, culture, standards of beauty, and the genres they rely on.
References
https://www.last.fm/ru/tag/q-pop/artists
https://go.zvuk.com/stati/ne-koreicami-edinymi-osobennosti-j-pop-i-c-pop.htm
https://www.nur.kz/family/gloss/1838455-kej-pop-cto-eto-pocemu-vse-govorat-o-kej-pop-gruppah/
https://dzen.ru/a/X5SWj03MXGE8Av94
https://go.zvuk.com/v-trende/krasivye-kazakhi-i-ikh-muzyka-chto-takoe-q-pop.htm
