Why K-pop is like pro-wrestling
Courtesy of Elena Koycheva
By David A. Tizzard
In the world of entertainment, there are distinct mediums. Each one tells its audience stories in different ways. When we think of K-pop, we see the stylized performances, the picture-perfect idols, and the wildly dedicated fandoms. For its part, pro-wrestling delivers its scripted drama and larger-than-life personas. But what do RM and Macho Man Randy Savage have in common? Why is Karina's life similar to Roman Reigns? Apart from having millions of fans and a propensity for spandex and make-up as they perform their athletic theatre, there is something else that makes them unique among other mediums: their use of time as a storytelling tool.
Both present an ongoing fictional narrative that takes place consistently in real time. Contrary to traditional media, where the author or director controls the passage of time, K-pop and pro-wrestling narratives unfold in sync with reality.
Time
George R. Martin decides the time gaps between Game of Thrones seasons, and JK Rowling reveals the aging of Harry Potter and his companions between books. Time marches to the beat directed by the author, irrespective of our world's ticking clock.
Consider the anticipation surrounding the release of Squid Game's second season. When it debuts, we'll discover how much time has passed in that show's universe. This time shift has no correlation to the years that may have lapsed in our reality. What might be two or three years for us might only be, as in some of the recent Marvel releases, a mere matter of seconds for the characters.
Similarly, iconic characters like Indiana Jones, Batman, James Bond, and Porroro possess an intriguing timelessness. They have remained relatively unaltered in age, even after decades of existence. They are immune to what affects us so keenly.
K-pop: the enchanting facade
Idols in the K-pop world are fictional characters whose stories are told to us in real time. The Korean entertainment industry wants the fans to believe that the idols they have created are real and so they have no choice but to follow the natural flow of time rather than the freedom given to the other mediums described above.
So if we tune into M-Net one week and watch the idols performing and then, seven days later, tune in again to see their next concept, the same amount of time has passed for both the fans and the idols. One year for the idol is one year for the fan. It is synchronicity. And, again, it is unlike most other forms of storytelling.
The relationship between K-pop idols and their fans is unlike any other because it unfolds over time. This unique connection means that both idols and fans age together, celebrating birthdays, milestones, and life events side by side. When the fan graduates from high school or enters their final year of university, the idol stands alongside them, growing and evolving in perfect synchrony. This shared journey creates an unconventional bond, making it difficult for fans to outgrow their attachment to their idols, unlike how many of us eventually outgrow childhood cartoons.
K-pop is a fictional ongoing universe taking place directly in our reality, in our timeline. This convergence between fantasy and actuality has profound effects on how we perceive the narrative and how it is conveyed to us. The success of K-pop itself bears testimony to the effectiveness of this approach, where the medium becomes the very message it seeks to convey.
Idols as fictional
Let us clarify, though, that K-pop idols are not fictional in the conventional sense like characters such as Wolverine from comic books. Instead, they are the fictional personas of real individuals. Through live concerts, fan events, and airport encounters, fans share physical spaces with these idols, fostering a sense of intimate connection and an illusion of participation in the unfolding story.
There is of course something very terrifying about achieving success in the public space. You never know when your time will come. The idol's existence in the limelight is always subject to the fickle whims of audiences and fans. The fear of irrelevance looms, and the moment one fades from the spotlight, they risk fading into oblivion.
Nevertheless, until that eventuality, the idol continues to spin an enthralling narrative for their devoted fans, spanning years, if not decades. Operating in real-time, the idol becomes a constant presence in people's lives, an ever-present protagonist.
Narrative effects
The commitment to maintaining the illusion of reality has significant implications for the narratives and concepts presented by K-pop companies. If they were less concerned with this facade, they could easily perpetuate the illusion that certain group members remain the same age even after a decade or more. With the aid of diets, beauty advice, and digital filters, the feat could be accomplished without much difficulty. Jennie, for instance, could remain 25 for a prolonged period if the company wished it.
However, their primary objective is to make fans believe in the authenticity of these idols. Thus, constrained by the passage of time and the aging of the real individuals behind the characters, the companies must adapt their concepts accordingly. Consequently, we witness a trend where idols are introduced at increasingly younger ages. It's easy to point to Lolita concepts and talk about people's “cookies” but there are different reasons for the industry choosing younger and younger actors. This strategic move allows for an elongated storytelling arc, starting with youthful and innocent concepts before progressing to more provocative portrayals that hint at sexual agency. Eventually, the narrative culminates in a more mature and confident persona. The youthfulness of the idols, therefore, grants ample time for fans to grow and evolve alongside them, forming a deep and lasting connection.
Intriguing fictions
As fans mature, their desires and expectations from their idols also evolve. They seek more sophisticated and nuanced stories, prompting companies to cater to these changing preferences or embark on a fresh journey with a new generation of young talents.
This dynamic interaction between fans and idols mirrors the evolution of seasoned Star Wars fans who have witnessed both the original movies and the newer ones. As these fans have aged into their 40s or 50s, their tastes have shifted, and they no longer find the new Star Wars movies as thrilling as they once did. It's not necessarily a reflection of how Star Wars has changed, but rather how the fans themselves have evolved. They are now seeking different cinematic experiences, and the new films cater more unabashedly to younger audiences. Star Wars and K-pop both have fictional characters and space concepts, but they deal with time differently.
Bittersweet Transformations
For seasoned K-pop fans, this dynamic between persona and reality is familiar territory. Many entertainment companies deliberately play with this notion, blurring the line between the public persona and the authentic person. In doing so, they provide captivating meta presentations that embrace the interplay between the fake and the real, adding another layer of intrigue to the K-pop universe.
The real-time relationship between K-pop idols and fans creates a uniquely profound bond, resulting in a narrative influenced by the passage of time. Companies navigate this, crafting captivating story arcs that align with the maturation of both idols and their audience. The journey is dynamic and bittersweet, transforming youthful enthusiasm into nostalgic appreciation. And for many K-pop fans, no matter how unbelievable the stories they are told, it's still real to them.
Dr. David A. Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) has a Ph.D. in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He is a social/cultural commentator and musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He is also the host of the Korea Deconstructed podcast, which can be found online. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times.