The Idolization of Masculinity in K-Pop

When boy groups sing sad songs there is almost always an overwhelming amount of stereotypical “masculine” tropes in order to depict the artists as strong, manly men while they are singing about their heartbreak or other upsetting themes. I believe that this is due to the idolization of masculine bodies in K-Pop and the image that many boy groups are forced to uphold in order to cater to their “largely female fandoms”. In this essay I will analyze “Poison” by VAV and showcase how they utilize the idolization of masculinity in their MV and choreography for this particular song.

In “Poison” it is made apparent lyrically that the song is about a relationship gone bad, and how the singer is relating to the lover’s interactions as poisonous. However, in the MV we get no leading characters telling the tale of this lost love, instead we get a sexy, powerful image of the group members. First off, this “sexy and powerful” imagery can simply be correlated to their wardrobe choice; buttoned up low-cutting suits with no shirt underneath or simply unbuttoned suits with no shirt underneath. Scholars Kirsten Younghee Song and Victoria Velding discuss the different masculinities that can be showcased within K-pop performance, one of which pertains largely to VAV and is present to the fullest in their ‘Poison” music video: “They show “tough” and “manly” characteristics by drawing upon elements of “gangster” and hip-hop aesthetics such as muscular shirtless bodies, dark colored outfits, ripped jeans, or graphic t-shirts (Byun, 2013).” (2019: 3). In “Poison” we get all four of these examples spread throughout the video. With the meaning of the song itself, what would be the need for such imagery if it was not to satisfy possible fan ideals, or to also portray the “tough man” stereotype that seems to coincide with muscular torsos on display at all times, albeit unnecessary times? The showing of a muscular torso during sensual and more risky choreography has become a standard for male performers in the K-pop space. Ultimately, this is done to enhance viewers indulgence in the music videos and the group in itself (Epstein and Joo 2012: 5). There are several shots in the music video where certain members are simply standing there flexing their abs and looking into the camera with a brooding expression, this is a typical occurrence nowadays in these types of songs with boy groups. The choreography involved in “Poison” also produces the same effect as what Epstein and Joo refer to. There are many times in the choreographed sections of the music video that includes thrusting and grazing of their inner thigh, all of this signifying back to their masculine, sensual energy that they seem to have to uphold in their performance. The way that they are dancing in itself is all very hard-hitting, sharp movements, which can be drawn back to the tough, strong persona that they are trying to convey. There is also this overwhelming presence of snakes in the music video, one even being tattooed on a VAV members’ hand. One of the things a snake symbolizes is powerful masculine energy, which would make sense given the overall visualization of the music video. Altogether this music video is just one of the hundred of similar K-Pop videos I have seen, using similar symbolism and depicting the members as broodingly handsome, hyper-masculine men who are most certainly strong enough to overcome whatever upsetting themes they are singing about.

In VAVs’ “Poison” there is an apparent following of the trend of masculine imagery in order to convey a tough guy persona, someone who no matter what hardships they are facing will overcome it. This theme is very common in the K-Pop space and no doubt helps play into the need to please the majority of their fandom as well, which I believe is why it is such a popular trope to be used.

Bibliography:

Epstein, Stephen and Rachael M. Joo. " Multiple Exposures: Korean Bodies and the Transnational Imagination." Japan Focus, (2013): 1-17. japanfocus.org/-Rachael_M_- Joo/3807?rand=1363617408&type=print&print=1

Song, Kirsten Younghee, and Victoria Velding. "Transnational Masculinity in the Eyes of Local Beholders? Young Americans’ Perception of K-Pop Masculinities." Journal of Men’s Studies 00, no. 0 (2019): 1-19.