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| ▲This screenshot taken from the music video of TWICE's 'Talk That Talk' shows television test card. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, provided by ADOR shows New Jeans. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL October 04 (Yonhap) -- Within the music industry, the overall vibe from the end of 1990s to early 2000s also known as Y2K vibe is resurfacing.
According to the music industry on Tuesday, Xiumin of EXO, IVE, New Jeans, EXO, and various artist have dissolved the “Y2K” vibe into their contents.
Back in the days, the retro vibe described overall time period of 1970s to 1980s, also known as a disco era, however the current definition of retro depicts time era between 1990s up until early 2000s.
While releasing his first solo debut album “Brand New,” on September 26 singer Xiumin of EXO addressed that he has rearranged his tracks in order to fully incorporate the retro vibe from 1990s to early 2000s.
“Music from Y2K era are the ones that we feel with our hearts.” artist furthered his description on why he picked retro to be the overall theme of his first solo debut album.
K-pop girl group TWICE, showcased Y2K vibe within their music video of the title track “Talk That Talk” from recently released mini album “BETWEEN 1&2.”
The music video starts off with a retro version of television test card which were used to make simple adjustments of pictures before and after the TV show.
Within the music video, members of TWICE dance to a back drop which reminds of its viewers of early 2000s vibe.
“After Like” by K-pop girl group IVE, released in September showcased early 2000s vibe through members clothes and the music video.
“IVE’s latest track ‘After Like’ is like an inseparable link between MZ generation and X generation.” described group’s agency Starship Entertainment.
According to the Circle Chart, “After Like” has exceeded over 1.1 million overall sales successfully solidifying its grounds within the music chart.
The debut album “New Jeans” by rookie girl group New Jeans, distinguished themselves by not only including retro vibe tracks but also the physical CD showcasing retro aspects as well.
On top of limited edition album with pouch which looks very similar to a CD player, New Jeans’ debut album targeted audiences who are thirsty for music from the late 1990s to early 2000s by filling up their album with tracks which reminds the listener of first generation South Korean girl group S.E.S. which lead to the album’s huge success.
Within the first week of release “New Jeans” was sold over 310 thousand copies, topping the record of k-pop girl groups album sales within the first week of its release.
The reason trend of renewed retro is swiping through the music industry is because those who participated in fandom culture within the late 1990s and early 2000s, has become the producers, and main consumers within the industry.
Director Min Hee-jin, of ADOR Music is considered one of the leading figures who have successfully transformed her old memory into modern sensibility, by partaking every step of creating the rookie girl group New Jeans, from their auditioning process up until their debut.
“When I was young, I used to take my CD player everywhere I go, but I could not find a perfect pouch for my CD player therefore I decided to create a CD into a pouch.” described director Min Hee-jin on her social media page of how she managed to come up with an interesting album.
“The current trend within K-pop industry is a good measure to look into to analyze which segment of population producers are mainly focused on targeting.” announced pop music critic Kim Do-hun.
Continuing, “Those who have participated in fandom activities back in late 1990s up until early 2000s has risen to a position of power where they can impact the music industry, and teenagers from that era has grown up to be adults who are financially capable of purchasing goods and products. Therefore the retro vibe products are resurfacing.” described Kim Do-hun the pop music citric.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo)
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