Korean Hip Hop to Expand into World

The popular US weekly magazine Newsweek reported about the expansion of Korean hip hop in its recently released edition, and it introduced the group 2NE1 as the representative hip hop group. Newsweek said that K-Pop has advanced into the world along with the popularity of splendid and lively girl groups and boy bands up to now, but K-hop (Korean Hip Hop) groups are gaining more popularity and drawing attention in the music industry. It mentioned 2NE1's live concert tour in Japan which was held last year in October with almost 70,000 audience members. According to its explanation, 2NE1 is different from other singing groups as they present music mixing R&B and pop together.

Group 2NE1 K-Pop groups such as Girls' Generation and Dong Bang Shin Ki achieved great success during their concerts in the USA including New York and Los Angeles by leaving strong impressions on the audience, and now K-hop will follow their success. Hip hop group Big Bang was awarded at the MTV European Music Awards, and 2NE1 was selected as the 2011 World Best New Band. Newsweek also introduced the history of Korean hip hop and mentioned the hip hop group Drunken Tiger and the rapper Yoon Mi Rae as representative hip hop singing groups in Korea. In addition, the rookie hip hop group Aziatix that had been ranked at fifth place on the iTunes chart last May was named as an up-and-coming hip hop group, and Teddy Park and Jae Chong, a former member of the group Solid, were introduced as popular Korean music Producers.

Newsweek continued to say that some of the experts in music industry are doubting whether K-hop will achieve a success in the major music market, but it will definitely be treated like as it were Latin or European music in the world music market once it becomes successful, which is completely contrary to previous prejudice saying, "Asian music sounds tacky". And the fact that Will.i.am, the leader of star hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas and popular music producer, participated in producing 2NE1's album was a positive signal for K-hop's success.