There is only one hour left for the concert in Madrid (La Riviera, September 9) of the Korean soloist Wonho (Lee Ho-Seok, 32 years old) and the heat still squeezes. After three hours of waiting, fatigue begins to notice, although that does not prevent Ainhoa from sharing stories with other girls in their same situation. Thanks to this, in just one afternoon, he has managed to “make a good group of friends.” “From my grandfather’s death I went through a depression. I fought alone, with no one to support me, also suffering much bullying In the institute. When knowing the K-pop little by little I could improve, I felt more accompanied and everything more enjoyable was made, ”he says.
It is well known that the K-Pop is very different from any other generated musical. The first thing that comes to mind is the aesthetics of its singers, the distinctive structure of their songs, and the visual pleasure that good coordination of its dances brings. But if there is something that really separates it from the rest of the styles, it is that its fans describe it as an emotional refuge. A source of support in moments of loneliness, anxiety or lack of motivation. “I had a very delicate personal situation a few years ago, and Wonho reached my ears. His songs marked me during that year of anxiety, and I ended up doing a tattoo for it,” Mika also explains, who prefers to use her nickname, something common among K-Popers.
This massive congregation of followers helps to reaffirm that the Korean culture is still booming, although it does not miss so much after seeing groups such as Stray Kids or Blackpink filling stadiums this year in our country. For something The K-pop warriors That premiered on June 20, it has become the most watched film in Netflix’s story with 236 million views, and their songs still take the top positions of the success lists. A popularity that the Korean music industry does not hesitate to squeeze.
“The maximum I have spent in a K-Pop concert has been approximately 600 euros,” confesses Ciel, which also has albums, stuffed animals, stuffed animals, lightsticks (Light rods that fans light in concerts to encourage artists) … “What I keep with more affection are Jonghyun’s albums. It cost me a lot to get them.” He speaks of one of the members of the Shinee Group, who committed suicide in 2017, an event that opened the debate of the depression suffered by many of the Korean idols for the pressures to which they are subjected in the industry.
Wonho, who visits Spain alone for the second time, did not get rid of these pressures either. He was forced to leave the group he belonged to, Monsta X, in 2019, after being accused of marijuana consumption in his adolescence, although he was acquitted of these charges for police investigation and could continue his career. “I feel that it is the perfect example of resilience. I admire him for it. If he could get out of those difficult moments, others can also,” says Carla, who has been queuing from six in the morning.
Despite the many aspects in which the K-Pop enriches the lives of their followers, most feel that the social trial is still facing stereotypes that simplify and devalue their hobby. “It is still a stigma and they continue to call us rare, which personally bothers me and I hope to calm down in the future,” says Carla. Mika, at 32, shares those feelings: “There are people who don’t understand that we like this. I think it’s never too late to have certain tastes. While you are happy and have a good time, what damage do you do?” He concludes.
Between choruses and dances, Wonho himself gives visible samples of emotion. “While singing, I looked at your faces. Seeing your expressions has made music feel much more. Thank you,” he says, with visible tears in his eyes, while a translator sitting on the side of the stage broadcasts the message in Spanish to the attendees. At that moment there is no cultural or linguistic barrier that breaks the link. Sing a last song looking for the look of his fans: “홀로 헤매던 등대처럼 / 길을 잃을 때마다 날 비춰줬던” (“You shined like a lighthouse on me / when I was alone and lost my way”). Phrases that also perfectly summarize what your audience feels for it.