When does admiration and appropriation cross the line? K-pop, known as Korean popular music, is growing rapidly in the music industry. With various K-pop groups selling out venues, topping the charts, and having millions of streams, the music genre seems to be picture perfect. It is so picture perfect that I can’t even escape the craze of the music genre with kids loving KPop Demon Hunters. Now, it even seems that a new music act having the K-pop stamp of approval is the key to success.
Every time one blinks, it seems that a new K-pop group is being pushed out like fresh produce at your local Walmart. The genre seems to be the Wonka golden ticket where billionaires are desperate to invest. During 2025, Jay Z founded a partnership, with Hanwah Group, to create a $500 million fund for K-pop. But, what if I told you that the backbone of K-pop is heavily influenced by Black culture?
In a world where people adore Black people’s rhythm, but don’t want their blues, cultural appropriation in K-pop is evident from the very beginning. Let’s focus on the start of K-pop by examining Seo Taiji and Boys. Debuting in 1992, the group looks awfully similar to another music group, Kris Kross. Even though both groups debuted the same year, why does Seo Taiji and Boys look like they walked in Harlem, and copied a local’s style head to toe? With baggy clothes, a fly jersey, and sneakers, this group looks like they were styled by Misa Hylton under the Jodeci revamp era. Even their first album cover looks like a 90’s R&B group. Now, there is nothing wrong with being inspired by Black fashion. There is a problem that has to be addressed. Why do K-pop groups benefit from Black culture, but never credit the very people they rip off?
Various K-pop idols have faced backlash for racism. In 2025, videos surfaced of the K-pop group, BLACKPINK using racial slurs presumably before their global takeover. Another popular K-pop group, Red Velvet, faced backlash after a member, Wendy, made racially based impressions regarding Black men. People can grow from their mistakes, but why do they root from ignorance? Now people may read this and think, “why can’t people make mistakes”? Another question may be, “Why does K-pop need to credit Black musicians and culture”? Let’s put this in another perspective, what if you created an invention and received no credit. Years later, you see this same invention being praised in the media, but you are never given your just do?
When people started to give credit to musicians like Britney Spears and NSYNC for inspiring K-pop groups, I knew there was a problem. This is a major problem since Britney Spears has stated over several times she is inspired by Janet Jackson and other musicians. Plus, there would no NSYNC if it was not for groups like New Edition, Jackson 5, and the Isley Brothers. We can save this conversation for another day.
Music is universal, and it truly has no color. Many fans in the K-pop community are Black. While looking on social media, it was disheartening to see fans defend K-pop groups racist backgrounds. Unfortunately, some of these fans tended to be Black. With this act being quite disgusting, it allows K-pop to succeed with the influence being praised in the dark. Even behind the scenes, many K-pop songs are written by Black songwriters.
Let’s take this further by focusing on Hip-Hop in K-pop. When Black rappers practice their craft, they are portrayed as ghetto. When K-pop musicians rap in their songs, they are perceived as talented and unique. You can even google K-pop idols wearing cornrows, afros, and grillz. How does something ghetto make the K-pop industry billions of dollars? Even examining KPop Demon Hunters, the group’s fashion looks are awfully similar to TLC.
J.J. Fad is a Hip-Hop group that debuted during the late 80’s. Their popular song, “Supersonic” remains a classic. The group has influenced various music acts even BABYMONSTER. The K-pop group released a song called “HOT SAUCE”, and the lyrics are awfully similar to “Supersonic”. One may say that the song sounds like a complete rip off. With the group looking like TLC’s grandchildren, it is quite evident that their team took inspiration from Black culture. Now I do have to wonder, are labels pushing for Black culture to be exploited in the music industry?
We are in a world where Black artists can barely get funding to pursue their craft, and AI is about to threaten the livelihood of these same artists. When one sees the K-pop music industry getting billion dollar deals, but the glue to their success can’t get the same resources, it is disheartening. AI artists, like Xania Monet, are being pushed in the R&B space to a majority Black audience. Artists like SZA and Kehlani have spoken against the AI music artist. Giving very much Sinners vibes where Black talent is being preyed upon for the soul, it seems that the music industry wants to keep the root of the soul hidden.
Any person can become a K-pop idol. This is why I feel why the music genre is adored by millions of people. Even the music group, KATSEYE, is diverse with their group members. Even though I do not listen to the group, I love how many young girls can look up to this girl group. Just imagine a young group of girls finally seeing a Black, Asian, and Hispanic member that looks like them. Even though the group is not K-pop, they are signed to a Korean entertainment label. This very same label has pushed Black culture to be exploited by their talent roster in the past. Thankfully, there are K-pop groups who have given credit to Black culture. BTS and P1Harmony have been very open about being inspired by Black culture. They are against Black exploitation, and I feel like this is positive. On the other hand, can one feel that the damage has already been done?
