This article examines how individuality and self-love have developed as recurring themes in Korean popular music. From the youth-driven folk and rock culture of the 1970s to the rise of dance music in the 1980s, popular music gradually became an important medium through which younger generations expressed their identities.
The emergence of Generation X in the 1990s marked a significant turning point. Growing up amid economic growth, globalization, and democratization, this generation began to distance itself from established social values and openly express individuality. Music columnist Jiheon Oh commented, “Generation X was the first generation to place a strong emphasis on individuality. As individualism emerged, they pursued identities that distinguished them from others, and this was soon reflected in popular music.”
Since the 2000s, themes of confidence, self-expression, and self-love have become increasingly prominent in Korean popular music. Contemporary K-pop artists such as IVE and LE SSERAFIM continue this development, presenting messages of self-acceptance and personal empowerment.
The article suggests that music centered on self-love reflects not only changing cultural values but also the desire of younger generations to preserve their identities amid intense social competition.
Expert Commentary — Jiheon Oh
Hansung University Press, Issue 586
