Final Exam Short Essay (2 paragraphs):
Instructions: Respond to the following four questions utilizing what you have learned both in lecture and through the readings. Write two fully formed paragraphs (5-7 complete sentences), employing concrete and explicit examples to support your answers. Please utilize examples that have been discussed either in lecture, section, or the readings. As this is a take-home final exam, you may use your notes from lecture, section or the readings.
What are the different pressures on Korean beauty standards and where do they come from? Describe some of the positive and negative effects of Korean beauty culture?
How did the formation of BTS differ from other groups, and how did BTS break precedent with the Korean music industry? Was BTS revolutionary or evolutionary?
What is the origin flower boy concept in Korea? What are the three main causes of the modern day flower boy phenomenon? How are flower boys represented and utilized in media and K-pop?
Describe the origin and purpose of the trainee system. What role does creating a “whole package” in generating fandoms? How does early fan culture compare with today’s?
BONUS (1pt):
Why was BTS more successful than Psy? How has BTS been able to maintain their popularity, while Psy has been termed a dispensable celebrity?