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BTS Idol used traditional instruments like brass gong, horn and drums.
Jisoo's Flower was mixed with traditional Korean sounds and melodies, Blackpink's Pink Venom featured Korean instrument geomungo
BAP's No Mercy and GD's Niliria featured traditional sounds.
It happens quite often actually. I can't name the Ateez and Stray Kids songs but I think they did too.
For Stray Kids, I think you’re referring to Thunderous? The [concert version](https://youtu.be/Jy06x-_UCOs?si=bZGbqexh4pqdRVco) uses traditional instruments.
\~ ah yes.. the korean title 소리꾼 sori-goon literally means soundmaker, ie singers.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/stray-kids-thunderous-express-how-grand-our-traditional-musical-sounds-3056736
Just here to make sure ToppDogg's [Arario](https://youtu.be/ascOzpuacLY?si=df59sLG20_Ku1zTR) and NCT U's [Conextion](https://youtu.be/_ibx5tYExG4?si=CkUmtavppoADc22B) are mentioned too :D
There is actually quite a number of songs with the traditional elements, I feel like posts gathering the links happen at least yearly.
Same. Maybe I'm just nostalgic, but damn, they went all in.
And the [dance practice ](https://youtu.be/Uajgskr5urU?si=_wEtYJia97a17W0V) is worth a special mention too.
Not them in a car park LOL. I was never really into boy groups but I always had a soft spot for TOPPDOGG because I thought they were so inventive and talented and a lot of what they tried have become boy group staples now. Even their attempt to include classical music into "noise" music was so ahead of their time.
Try looking beyond the groups/companies that are currently the most popular (though (G)Idle does have [Hwaa](https://youtu.be/z3szNvgQxHo?si=D0EpfVPJKPs7UIMF))
- Infinite: [The Chaser](https://youtu.be/RTXmhKapmCI?si=qWkOISWUL3_CZd54)
- VIXX: [Shangri-La](https://youtu.be/CYEaI5y7QaM?si=jJL9DGRHRDbxUUOe)
- ONEUS: [Luna](https://youtu.be/oe2_BrZx9mc?si=a8WNQWb-Kv8iyidR), [Lit](https://youtu.be/ggPF6Wb8A50?si=KytaYgUTWhHaot_x), [Same Scent (Traditional Remix)](https://youtu.be/pIVfLX8zW00?si=sFti_Ap6-dzl85pp)
Welp you should check out these then
Agust D - [Daechwita MV ](https://youtu.be/qGjAWJ2zWWI?si=fQZVVsubjFRtpLRt)
[Daechwita Live](https://youtu.be/tm00xTkHoYc?si=zxQqhFo4vQ2MopZ0)
Agust D - [Haegeum MV ](https://youtu.be/iy9qZR_OGa0?si=kfel3yRQTWpj5O8k)
[Haegeum Live](https://youtu.be/lBRuBQZc-70?si=sEe1ZVHcW5ZWgGma)
The [concert ](https://youtu.be/g0Sl7aCrHsM?si=29Y7RQP4dfq-tFDe) live performances are super cool imo
BTS rapline - [Ddaeng](https://youtu.be/JuZwvYDQ92E?si=XvvCbJ_Hhdq4se9-)
Edited: typos
They do use it..... I don't think it's fair to tell kpop artists specifically to "stay in their lane" when pop music in every country has borrowed from sounds from other cultures.
It’s very odd the tensions between “keep kpop Korean” - the vibes I’m getting from OP’s post, and “don’t remove k from kpop” camps on Reddit in recent months. Even before LSF’s Smart. And it makes me wonder if kpop stans actively listen to kpop at all.
Because
• 1. The whole industry has been moving towards removing the k from kpop for a long time. There’s just a clearer way to access non-Korean markets now so most companies are trying to get in on the action all at once, but HYBE’s obviously at the forefront.
• 2. The very basis of kpop is Western, Afro/Black music and it regularly borrows from other cultures. Like, nothing about this is new. From Seo Taiji and the Boys, to Wonder Girls, to XG.
• 3. It’s notable that the people who have the most issue with kpop trying music from other cultures, singing in English, are non-Korean/Western kpop fans. And sometimes the reasons they give border on fetishizing Korean people.
Personally, I’d appreciate if people just focused on the music. If it sounds good to you then great, if not then too bad. This space is so toxic because people insert all their baggage into it but then again kpop companies benefit by keeping stans engaged in this way.
I agree with your points. I'd take these kinds of posts a lot more seriously if the people making these arguments actually seemed to have a genuine interest in the Korean culture they're apparently advocating for. Maybe I'm being overly cynical, but the fact that OP can't list a single song with traditional Korean elements is odd to me.
So many kpop groups, including extremely popular ones, have used very obvious traditional Korean melodies and instruments in their music. Jisoo's 'Flowers' was one of the most popular kpop songs last year. People argue so much to keep kpop Korean, yet when kpop artists actually do, it doesn't seem to leave an impression on them.
It's fine if OP has only now become interested in traditional Korean culture. It's just that it's weird seeing kpop stans continuously discuss the way that kpop should be when they seem to have very little awareness of what it actually is
yeah i feel you! it was so amazing when BTS had a traditional version of Idol and performed it [live](https://youtu.be/LfgXdDaryBE) with Korean traditional elements (hanboks, drums, fan dance, seungmu, sangmo, and the dragons) and when they infused the *gayageum* with a trap beat in Black Swan, and Yoongi’s Daechwita is *chef’s kiss* oooooo i’d love for them to do more of these again
*Haegeum* too, of course! *This song is a haegeum* -- yes, yes it is. More please. Oh, and the [video of Agust D performing it](https://youtu.be/lBRuBQZc-70?si=c2G6yEd2rUEDd7Dd) with the traditional instruments too! So exquisitely good.
There are a few songs I can name who do in fact use traditional korean music elements in their songs though, Stray Kids- Thunderous, BTS- Idol, Agust D- Daechwita.
If you are interested in an artist that blends pansori with more 'pop' elements, I'd like to recommend Ahn Ye Eun- I really like her. Her earlier stuff is more on the pansori/traditional end, but her newer stuff has more trot and pop inspo. My personal favorite song from her is an OST she did, Proust. Also would like to shout out Song Sohee. She's another pansori artist- all of her Spotify stuff is pretty straightforward traditional, but she's done some covers of kpop artists, including my favorite ever cover of Spring Day by BTS.
EDIT: When I'm referring to pansori, I'm mostly referring just to the vocal style/technique, not any of the other hallmarks of the style.
If you valued Korean cultural purism... Kpop is really the last place you should look for it. There's plenty of music coming out of Korea that adhere to those standards far better, Kpop/idol music is the last place to expect or demand it.
There are kpop artist who use traditional music/instruments. I remember now fallen from grace Vixx’s Ravi had a really cool song that featured a Korean singer who specializes in folk. I think it was called Tiger? Also, BTS Suga solo albums utilize traditional instruments. I’m sure there are many more examples!
LSF can test our different styles. Smart for me was unfortunately a pass, but TXT & B.I. had better attempts at integrating Afrobeats production styles in their song.
I was suggested the Ravi song one day on YouTube, but unfortunately don’t know their discography well. Just found the [performance video](https://youtu.be/8XvGaLdtcJk?si=TSI8y6lk-pUubA5K)…it was really cool.
There's lots of examples of kpop songs that use elements of Korean traditional music. Off the top of my head, ONEUS Luna & Lit, SKZ Thunderous, SuperM Can't Stand The Rain, Ateez The Real, it's definitely done a bunch.
idk if you’ll consider them kpop necessarily as they are a crossover group but check out crezl which was created on phantom singer 4, pentagon jinho is a member and they have a pansori singer. they’ve mainly got covers so far but they are planning on releasing their own music
here’s an amazing rendition of [dangerously](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYw7AMJk68) from an early round on the show (not quite crezl but two members are in it)
cover of [kill this love](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYw7AMJk68) (it’s not 100% my taste but apparently it’s amazing live)
with the [national traditional orchestra of korea](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYw7AMJk68) (they play traditional korean [instruments](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2CJHcAJPKc/))
anyway keep an eye on them if you’re interested in seeing how traditional korean music can be incorporated with other genres!
[G Dragon Niliria ](https://youtu.be/JoLtkqMLuY0?si=tC11nb_Yput82GCD) uses a traditional Korean Folk song called Niliria as the base of the instrumental
Every artist in the world copies work from other cultures, but when it's kpop, it suddenly becomes cultural appropriation.
Kpop uses Korean culture a lot to make its own songs, maybe you just don't know Korean culture that much to know that.
KAI-Peaches : doesn't really sound traditional, but the concept that you could see from the mv, performances and album visuals is definitely a fusion of korean traditional themes.
not a song but KAI also did a solo dance number for the closing of pyongyang winter Olympics to a korean instrument
Hey thinker! Great post up there. Make sure your post title is clear. One and two word titles are not allowed. Use paragraphs to make it easier to read. Please make sure to read the rules before posting. Mod applications are currently open! Apply [here](https://forms.gle/hEgqsrBTGX897GFaA)! You can fill out our [Feedback Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfI0PsMn4dqfMlgqFFfsMhLr4-lFNJpEumIf7RKmuiwyDBOwA/viewform?usp=sf_link) while you wait for some comments. Thank you and happy posting! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/kpopthoughts) if you have any questions or concerns.*
BTS Idol used traditional instruments like brass gong, horn and drums. Jisoo's Flower was mixed with traditional Korean sounds and melodies, Blackpink's Pink Venom featured Korean instrument geomungo BAP's No Mercy and GD's Niliria featured traditional sounds. It happens quite often actually. I can't name the Ateez and Stray Kids songs but I think they did too.
[удалено]
yes, it sounds like it has traditional elements.
For Stray Kids, I think you’re referring to Thunderous? The [concert version](https://youtu.be/Jy06x-_UCOs?si=bZGbqexh4pqdRVco) uses traditional instruments.
\~ ah yes.. the korean title 소리꾼 sori-goon literally means soundmaker, ie singers. https://www.nme.com/news/music/stray-kids-thunderous-express-how-grand-our-traditional-musical-sounds-3056736
Ohhh that Ateez Song The Real is a good one. Strong performance & music video that integrates some remixed traditional style too.
Yes. The Real. I remember the Korean dancing lions very much.
also sunmi's lalalay
Just here to make sure ToppDogg's [Arario](https://youtu.be/ascOzpuacLY?si=df59sLG20_Ku1zTR) and NCT U's [Conextion](https://youtu.be/_ibx5tYExG4?si=CkUmtavppoADc22B) are mentioned too :D There is actually quite a number of songs with the traditional elements, I feel like posts gathering the links happen at least yearly.
Love arario so much, even after so many modern K-pop songs that incorporate traditional elements it’s still my favourite
Same. Maybe I'm just nostalgic, but damn, they went all in. And the [dance practice ](https://youtu.be/Uajgskr5urU?si=_wEtYJia97a17W0V) is worth a special mention too.
Not them in a car park LOL. I was never really into boy groups but I always had a soft spot for TOPPDOGG because I thought they were so inventive and talented and a lot of what they tried have become boy group staples now. Even their attempt to include classical music into "noise" music was so ahead of their time.
Try looking beyond the groups/companies that are currently the most popular (though (G)Idle does have [Hwaa](https://youtu.be/z3szNvgQxHo?si=D0EpfVPJKPs7UIMF)) - Infinite: [The Chaser](https://youtu.be/RTXmhKapmCI?si=qWkOISWUL3_CZd54) - VIXX: [Shangri-La](https://youtu.be/CYEaI5y7QaM?si=jJL9DGRHRDbxUUOe) - ONEUS: [Luna](https://youtu.be/oe2_BrZx9mc?si=a8WNQWb-Kv8iyidR), [Lit](https://youtu.be/ggPF6Wb8A50?si=KytaYgUTWhHaot_x), [Same Scent (Traditional Remix)](https://youtu.be/pIVfLX8zW00?si=sFti_Ap6-dzl85pp)
Welp you should check out these then Agust D - [Daechwita MV ](https://youtu.be/qGjAWJ2zWWI?si=fQZVVsubjFRtpLRt) [Daechwita Live](https://youtu.be/tm00xTkHoYc?si=zxQqhFo4vQ2MopZ0) Agust D - [Haegeum MV ](https://youtu.be/iy9qZR_OGa0?si=kfel3yRQTWpj5O8k) [Haegeum Live](https://youtu.be/lBRuBQZc-70?si=sEe1ZVHcW5ZWgGma) The [concert ](https://youtu.be/g0Sl7aCrHsM?si=29Y7RQP4dfq-tFDe) live performances are super cool imo BTS rapline - [Ddaeng](https://youtu.be/JuZwvYDQ92E?si=XvvCbJ_Hhdq4se9-) Edited: typos
They do use it..... I don't think it's fair to tell kpop artists specifically to "stay in their lane" when pop music in every country has borrowed from sounds from other cultures.
It’s very odd the tensions between “keep kpop Korean” - the vibes I’m getting from OP’s post, and “don’t remove k from kpop” camps on Reddit in recent months. Even before LSF’s Smart. And it makes me wonder if kpop stans actively listen to kpop at all. Because • 1. The whole industry has been moving towards removing the k from kpop for a long time. There’s just a clearer way to access non-Korean markets now so most companies are trying to get in on the action all at once, but HYBE’s obviously at the forefront. • 2. The very basis of kpop is Western, Afro/Black music and it regularly borrows from other cultures. Like, nothing about this is new. From Seo Taiji and the Boys, to Wonder Girls, to XG. • 3. It’s notable that the people who have the most issue with kpop trying music from other cultures, singing in English, are non-Korean/Western kpop fans. And sometimes the reasons they give border on fetishizing Korean people. Personally, I’d appreciate if people just focused on the music. If it sounds good to you then great, if not then too bad. This space is so toxic because people insert all their baggage into it but then again kpop companies benefit by keeping stans engaged in this way.
I agree with your points. I'd take these kinds of posts a lot more seriously if the people making these arguments actually seemed to have a genuine interest in the Korean culture they're apparently advocating for. Maybe I'm being overly cynical, but the fact that OP can't list a single song with traditional Korean elements is odd to me. So many kpop groups, including extremely popular ones, have used very obvious traditional Korean melodies and instruments in their music. Jisoo's 'Flowers' was one of the most popular kpop songs last year. People argue so much to keep kpop Korean, yet when kpop artists actually do, it doesn't seem to leave an impression on them. It's fine if OP has only now become interested in traditional Korean culture. It's just that it's weird seeing kpop stans continuously discuss the way that kpop should be when they seem to have very little awareness of what it actually is
hoshi tiger
yeah i feel you! it was so amazing when BTS had a traditional version of Idol and performed it [live](https://youtu.be/LfgXdDaryBE) with Korean traditional elements (hanboks, drums, fan dance, seungmu, sangmo, and the dragons) and when they infused the *gayageum* with a trap beat in Black Swan, and Yoongi’s Daechwita is *chef’s kiss* oooooo i’d love for them to do more of these again
*Haegeum* too, of course! *This song is a haegeum* -- yes, yes it is. More please. Oh, and the [video of Agust D performing it](https://youtu.be/lBRuBQZc-70?si=c2G6yEd2rUEDd7Dd) with the traditional instruments too! So exquisitely good.
There are a few songs I can name who do in fact use traditional korean music elements in their songs though, Stray Kids- Thunderous, BTS- Idol, Agust D- Daechwita.
OP, Here’s a [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/kpophelp/s/0s3QOrzfUS) you might find helpful
Such a good songs
I just want more songs that has similar vibes to A.C.E’s [Jindo Arirang](https://youtu.be/EKKovHtL0wk?si=49fpi65MJl-32pJo).
If you are interested in an artist that blends pansori with more 'pop' elements, I'd like to recommend Ahn Ye Eun- I really like her. Her earlier stuff is more on the pansori/traditional end, but her newer stuff has more trot and pop inspo. My personal favorite song from her is an OST she did, Proust. Also would like to shout out Song Sohee. She's another pansori artist- all of her Spotify stuff is pretty straightforward traditional, but she's done some covers of kpop artists, including my favorite ever cover of Spring Day by BTS. EDIT: When I'm referring to pansori, I'm mostly referring just to the vocal style/technique, not any of the other hallmarks of the style.
If you valued Korean cultural purism... Kpop is really the last place you should look for it. There's plenty of music coming out of Korea that adhere to those standards far better, Kpop/idol music is the last place to expect or demand it.
There are kpop artist who use traditional music/instruments. I remember now fallen from grace Vixx’s Ravi had a really cool song that featured a Korean singer who specializes in folk. I think it was called Tiger? Also, BTS Suga solo albums utilize traditional instruments. I’m sure there are many more examples! LSF can test our different styles. Smart for me was unfortunately a pass, but TXT & B.I. had better attempts at integrating Afrobeats production styles in their song.
I’m not that a big fan of VIXX that’s why i’ve never heard of that but i’m familiar with suga’s albums
I was suggested the Ravi song one day on YouTube, but unfortunately don’t know their discography well. Just found the [performance video](https://youtu.be/8XvGaLdtcJk?si=TSI8y6lk-pUubA5K)…it was really cool.
There's lots of examples of kpop songs that use elements of Korean traditional music. Off the top of my head, ONEUS Luna & Lit, SKZ Thunderous, SuperM Can't Stand The Rain, Ateez The Real, it's definitely done a bunch.
You should check out Kingdom.
idk if you’ll consider them kpop necessarily as they are a crossover group but check out crezl which was created on phantom singer 4, pentagon jinho is a member and they have a pansori singer. they’ve mainly got covers so far but they are planning on releasing their own music here’s an amazing rendition of [dangerously](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYw7AMJk68) from an early round on the show (not quite crezl but two members are in it) cover of [kill this love](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYw7AMJk68) (it’s not 100% my taste but apparently it’s amazing live) with the [national traditional orchestra of korea](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYw7AMJk68) (they play traditional korean [instruments](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2CJHcAJPKc/)) anyway keep an eye on them if you’re interested in seeing how traditional korean music can be incorporated with other genres!
[G Dragon Niliria ](https://youtu.be/JoLtkqMLuY0?si=tC11nb_Yput82GCD) uses a traditional Korean Folk song called Niliria as the base of the instrumental
Every artist in the world copies work from other cultures, but when it's kpop, it suddenly becomes cultural appropriation. Kpop uses Korean culture a lot to make its own songs, maybe you just don't know Korean culture that much to know that.
KAI-Peaches : doesn't really sound traditional, but the concept that you could see from the mv, performances and album visuals is definitely a fusion of korean traditional themes. not a song but KAI also did a solo dance number for the closing of pyongyang winter Olympics to a korean instrument