I'm Korean but I avoid K-pop like the plague. Same goes for J-pop. But throwing "pop" out of the ring and looking at their music, I've noticed like a few of you that Japanese music tends to be more meaningful. It's not that Koreans don't have that too, just that I find it more often in Japanese. But...the Japanese make more interesting music imho.....yet their dancing is terribad. I guess that's where I prefer Korean choreography.

I heard that jpop tends to lean more towards techno and uses synths more than kpop :/

But the main difference is that kpop doesn't have a Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

Simple. I can't stand any pop but J-pop

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I do like both of them.
But there is something that people need to know here.
K-pop have many meaning in their lyric, and reading them in translate version, won't help that much to feel the meaning of the lyric. this is same in J-pop.

And about English words in lyric. seriously English is everywhere.
Also in lyric, one word can give many meanings, and situation, so you can't tell that English words have absolutely no relevance with the song.

Also it is true that J-pop have many various genre, this is because, In Japan they have freedom of their music, while in Korea, they are not that improved yet. but that doesn't mean there aren't various kind of music.

I'm an avid fan of both, but mainly I listen to K-pop songs because of the large number of J-pop artists and the lack of hard drive space.

I've found that J-pop is much less dance centered - few artists produce dance version of most of their songs (I can only think of AKB48 at the top of my head), and based primarily on singing (or in a band, then vocal and instrumental). That said, I do believe lyrics in J-pop songs are as a whole more meaningful than the ones in K-pop. Just take the lyrics of Bump of Chicken for example.

Then, I guess K-pop is more visual than J-pop?

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Both countries have diverse music.

People tend to stereotype Korean music as "kpop idols" or "idol groups," but beyond the surface, Korea has much more. I hate it when people lable Korean music as "not diverse" because they're judging that from the very mainstream, highly commercialized idol groups. Name me any genre and I can find you a very famous Korean singer that does well in that area. Go search up Lee Juk, Epik High, Jaurim, Nell, Lena Park, Shin Seung Hoon, Lee Eun Mi, etc.... People just don't realize this because all you see on the internet are the idols. And Koreans don't always sing about love, despite common stereotypes. And a lot of Korean music has some of amazing lyrical depth. Please go search up Jaurim's "Peep Show" which is about corruption and conspiracy (and btw Jaurim is one of the most famous Korean rock bands - who has risen from the dark depths of indie music). Go listen to any of Lee Juk's songs. He writes some of the most honest, beautiful lyrics. Please search up Epik High. "Love Love Love" is one of their most famous songs and talks a beautiful parallel between love and parting. Or search up any of their songs in thei 4th album - they talk about everything from murder, prostitution, infedility, love, religion, etc. Or "그녀가 불쌍해" which talks about the sexualization of women. Or... yeah just go look up Epik High.

Japan does have a larger music market than Korea. And thus, they also have a very diverse market. I think the main difference between Japan and Korea is that in Japan, this diversity is more "visible," while in Korea, it's very much (sadly) hidden behind the hype of commercialized idol groups. I think the common stereotype for Japan is the cutesy-pie anime/game theme songs. But Japan has some amazing music as well - I think RADWIMPS has got to be one of the most amazing rock band in Japan currently and their lyrics are just amazing. Either way, I listen to both country's music a lot, and I simply think it's unfair when the diversity in both countires aren't really seen.

Jpop is more techno pop with higher pitches,
Kpop is more "boy band" and "girl band" style.
Personally, I'm a k-fan myself, but I do enjoy the odd j-singer (like Kanon Wakeshima)

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I totally agree, Japanese music has so much for feeling in their music, Korean music is just upbeat. Personally I like both both but for me Korean music can never beat Japanese music.

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I agree completely and I even look forward to some of your recommendations, I personally listen to songs and bands that give off a Hongdae cafe music kind of vibe, I'm really liking Busker Busker and 10cm as of now, it's something I can't really find in Japanese music, but I hope I find it.

Recommendations for K-music: IU's new album, Daybreak, 10cm, Leesang(hip hop), Tiger JK(hip hop), Busker Busker, never only look at the pop idol groups there are terrific and horrific songs in that category

and finally in this Korean stage of idol groups there is one artist that really outshines 4 or 5 girls in one group. IU is great, seriously, there's some really cutesy mainstream stuff like "Marshmallow" but her acoustic covers is what captured my heart. 'You and I', "Good day', 'Mia', 'End of days' all awesome songs of hers

If you think K-music is bad, please look up 'IU acoustic covers' or 'IU Peach' I hope to change your mind

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I think Both J-pop and K-pop has a lot meaning in their songs, it just depends on who you're listening to. Plus english is thrown in many songs rather its K-pop or J-pop. I think when you listen to J-pop and K-pop you have to be more open minded. I grew up listening to J-pop but prefer K-pop. I guess its choreography that pulls me in. Anyway Here's some music I recommend: When it comes to J-pop I tend to listen to DOUBLE ( Her music is always meaningful), m-flo (older music when lisa was around such as Love or Truth), Namie Amuro, Crystal Kay,many J-rock groups...etc. Rock sounds a little better in japanese to me.
While in K-pop I usually listen to
BIGBANG: although they're mainstream, their music is meaningful. Listen to songs such Fool, BadBoy, Heaven, Goodman, Cafe, lies, Monster and blue by them.
RAIN - Love song, Handshake, Hip song, Familiar face, 11 days, fresh woman..
DBSK (the five of them) and JYJ (after the split of DBSK).
ONEWAY - they're really underrated...listen to Rainy days, U Drag, Can't Stop, Coffee, Magic.
JAY PARK- Star, Abandoned, Bestie, I got your back, etc.
I also recommend DOK2,The Quiett,Jinbo, Epik High, Junggigo ( if you like you like HipHop). HipHop, R&B, Pop sounds better in Korean to me.

One starts with the letter 'J', the other starts with the letter 'K'.

This.

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No one gives a shit what trite garbage you write here.

^Best answer.

As much as I want to share my 'knowledge' on this, I don't really listen to KPop because (Remember: this is my personal opinion) I can't get used to the sound of their language. Although, a friend of mine is a huge KPop fan and I sit with her watching their music videos while listening to JPop. I must admit, their videos were pretty.


Last edited by mizaki2100 at 8:51 pm, Jul 9 2012

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I am used to japanese language, so korean is weird in my ears.
although I don't understand both of them, but the sound and pronounce , i prefer japanese

I like japanese music, it's so meaningful and fun, they have so many kind of song
one of my favorite is Akiko Shikata, she makes really unique song and beautifully sung too.
it has this ethnic feel and I like how she use/play her voice like instrument instead of just singing.

haven't heard much k-pop, so I have no comment.

Well, an interesting topic, but after thinking things through there is just one answer for me. Basically I'm listening to a particular kind of music, and this kind of music isn't necessarily bound to one language. At the moment it looks like I'm mainly listening to J-(indie)rock, J- and K-hiphop and sometimes even K-pop, since several songs tend to combine basic elements of different genres and mix them up in a quite likeable way. But - In the end, I probably wouldn't say, that I prefer a song or style, because it has this or that country of origin. ^^"



Although, there are times I could more or less agree with this ...
And, it's easier for me to understand Japanese.

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