17 Carat K-Pop

Today’s clip show theme: music recommendations, music reviews, and theories about the symbolism used in various K-pop music videos! Throughout this week, a series of episodes will be released featuring a mix of past and newly released clips from throughout the show’s past three seasons, leading up to the premiere of a brand new episode and regular release schedule!

The Best of 17 Carat K-Pop: SEVENTEEN Edition! Throughout this week, a series of episodes will be released featuring a mix of past and newly released clips from throughout the show’s past three seasons, leading up to the premiere of a brand new episode and regular release schedule!

A brief history of how the concept of “reality” has been redefined by live performances over time, from puppetry to holograms to famous virtual characters like Hatsune Miku. In addition, Hope breaks down why Miku and other “vocaloids” are so popular and what that says about how what is “real” to fans is actually quite subjective.

Hope lists 25 of the most underrated and/or unique K-pop girl groups of all time, breaks down the meanings in their music videos, and points out how female bands overall face excessive stereotyping.

Reacting to SUPERM’s comeback, Wonho’s solo debut, BTS’s “Dynamite” teasers, and more! Plus: recapping Taiwan’s first 2020 arena concert and breaking down a recent trend in fan-idol interactions that may give a sneak peek at the future of fandom culture!

Exploring why physical pop-up replicas of iconic pop culture settings mean so much to fans, how Hello Kitty gained such sustainable and global fame, and why we all find certain cartoon characters adorable!

An overview of the various ways some bands market themselves as VERY different from the rest.

A preview of Hope’s new podcast (!!!), a look at the latest digital concert trends, a K-pop news update, and a brief history of the phrase “world music” and what makes it so problematic.

Hope conducted an original mini research project to quantify and analyze the ways in which KCON has been covered by the western media over the years. Here, she reveals the study’s results, recalls iconic KCON moments (for better and for worse...), and looks at KCON by the numbers over time. Plus: the latest news regarding BTS, SUPERM Easter eggs, TikTok’s uncertain future, a “secret” rave, & more!

After catching up on the latest news in the world of K-pop, reacting to VMA nominees, and predicting the future of TikTok, Hope tells three classic stories that provided inspiration for BTS songs!

A breakdown of the ATEEZ music video universe and stories, as told through lyrics, choreography, music videos, and lots of Wonderland symbolism!

Theorizing about the symbolism, literature and philosophy references, and overall messages in the music video universes created by BTS, NCT, SUPERM, and SEVENTEEN!

A look at each of the variables that combined to cause K-pop to dominate on YouTube and SM Entertainment’s marketing tactics to succeed beyond imagination. Historical, cultural, and social context is used to understand how the Hallyu wave swept the world, with a huge boost from SM Entertainment, and what makes K-pop videos so mesmerizing! Plus: news updates about BTS, BLACKPINK, AboutU, and more!

Unpacking how online fandom discourse presents itself these days and its problematic aspects. Plus: Hope’s latest album reviews, thoughts on socially distanced meet-and-greet formats, analysis of merch shopping habits that may permanently change, and much more.

A conversation with Rolling Stone India’s K-pop columnist, senior writer, and video producer Riddhi Chakraborty about the massive K-pop fan base in India, elements of K-pop reminiscent of Bollywood films, cultural appropriation in the K-pop industry, and much more.

Updates in breaking K-pop news stories about Newkidd, AOA, GOT7, BTS, TXT, and many more. Plus, the changing definitions of “clickbait” and “going viral,” which bring into question if there really is such a thing as authentically “going viral” in the first place.

In this episode, Hope reflects on her personal experiences as an autistic K-pop fan, how music affects her differently, and how this unique moment in history is changing what the future of in-person K-pop fan events looks and feels like from her perspective.

Today’s conversation with K-pop reporter Jeff Benjamin includes behind-the-scenes stories from interviewing K-pop stars, a discussion about the newfound openness K-pop stars have about their mental health, debating what makes K-pop songs stand out, and much more!

A short history of chart manipulation and other “pay-for-play” tactics. Plus, Hope covers the latest K-pop headlines about BLACKPINK, Jae from DAY6, MOMOLAND, SEVENTEEN, and more!

An exclusive Q&A with author Lyla Lee about her new K-pop novel, appreciating the lyrics in SEVENTEEN’s new album, recapping the latest bizarre marketing tactics being used in a social-distancing world, plus an extension of previous conversations about western media and its treatment of K-pop stars.

An exclusive Q&A with Purplebeck, followed by a recap of the best and worst moments of the first digital-only KCON week!

Exploring K-pop fandom identity from Europe to North America to Asia. Plus: a Bang Bang Con Live recap, the “Open Your Lobby” initiative, bizarre suggestions for socially distant concert crowds, and much more!

The past, present, and future of Hallyu and other “waves” of musical influences around the world, along with explanations for why different music industries have not reached the same level of global success as the K-pop industry. Plus: critiques of a recent K-pop article, a SEVENTEEN docuseries Easter egg, and more K-pop updates!

A deep dive into the world of Miquela and similar CGI characters taking over music, fashion, and Instagram, what this all means for the future of the music industry and pop culture as a whole, and what influence vocaloids like Miku have on social media discourse. Plus: a WayV album review, the dream Map of the Soul Tour setlist, the latest wild new LOONA rumor, and more!

Today on the show: the historical context behind the Jim Jones sample in Agust D-2, a discussion about the intersection of music, politics, and social commentary, plus tons of updates on the world of K-pop.