K-pop and J-rock and my view.
Yeah, I listen to K-pop. No, I don't speak Korean. Yeah, I listen to J-rock. No, I don't speak Japanese. I like what I like.......and I just happen to be an utter fail at speaking languages, unless you count cussing...that I can do in MANY languages. So here are my thoughts on music.....
I have no problem with American music, I grew up listening to many different types. I can go from the 1940's till today and still know the songs of the times. I just simply like music from other countries too. I think it started with anime for me, way back (*snort*) in the late 80's when anime was not a huge "head 'splody" fandom. I loved the music that played behind the action, it was so different from what you got here at that point in time. As an avid anime watcher now, the music has changed somewhat, but is no less awe inspiring as it was for me then.
From those anime, I began to look for bands...Japanese at first. I found so many that I liked, and now I have new ones and old ones that I love to listen to, even if I have to look up translations after a while. Japanese music just seems to have a beat (much like a heartbeat) that makes me stop and listen.
I branched out into Korean music next, and found that I liked it just as much. I love the flow of Korean in a song, the language has its own melody anyway, so the songs are always so beautiful (yes, even the rap). I found bands and solo singers that made my heart melt and smile at the same time, that is a huge feat in itself. I of course, have favorites that I always come back to, but I enjoy finding new things as I go along.
I have had people ask "why?" if I don't understand, why do I listen? I guess it's because you don't have to know the words to love a song. I do look up translations when I find a song I like, but thats after I have heard it and fell in love. Then and only then do I feel the need to find out what the words mean, but only because I want a better understanding of a song I enjoy.
I guess it just comes down to this for me...... music is music, no matter what language the words are in.
I have no problem with American music, I grew up listening to many different types. I can go from the 1940's till today and still know the songs of the times. I just simply like music from other countries too. I think it started with anime for me, way back (*snort*) in the late 80's when anime was not a huge "head 'splody" fandom. I loved the music that played behind the action, it was so different from what you got here at that point in time. As an avid anime watcher now, the music has changed somewhat, but is no less awe inspiring as it was for me then.
From those anime, I began to look for bands...Japanese at first. I found so many that I liked, and now I have new ones and old ones that I love to listen to, even if I have to look up translations after a while. Japanese music just seems to have a beat (much like a heartbeat) that makes me stop and listen.
I branched out into Korean music next, and found that I liked it just as much. I love the flow of Korean in a song, the language has its own melody anyway, so the songs are always so beautiful (yes, even the rap). I found bands and solo singers that made my heart melt and smile at the same time, that is a huge feat in itself. I of course, have favorites that I always come back to, but I enjoy finding new things as I go along.
I have had people ask "why?" if I don't understand, why do I listen? I guess it's because you don't have to know the words to love a song. I do look up translations when I find a song I like, but thats after I have heard it and fell in love. Then and only then do I feel the need to find out what the words mean, but only because I want a better understanding of a song I enjoy.
I guess it just comes down to this for me...... music is music, no matter what language the words are in.