I remember seeing a graphic showing that certain KPOP songs had equal numbers of views from literally all over the world, including the majority of African and Middle Eastern countries.
I'd certainly be interested in seeing some numbers on view inflation on those videos.
Do you mean literally equal, or approximately equal? I can see there being high view counts for K-pop music videos in the Middle Eastern and African countries, where it K-pop gained popularity as a credible alternative to Western entertainment, which may be too sexualized for the socially conservative sensibilities in those countries. America's military aggression in that part of the world hasn't done Western entertainment any favors either.
> where it K-pop gained popularity as a credible alternative to Western entertainment, which may be too sexualized for the socially conservative sensibilities in those countries.
I doubt that's the reason: K-pop is pretty sexualized. It's also very big on objectifying women and enforcing unrealistic expectations of beauty.
I would disagree. Although some entertainers have been pushing the limits in the last year or two, on the whole, things are quite restrained.
> It's also very big on objectifying women and enforcing unrealistic expectations of beauty.
This is not exactly the same thing as blatant visual sexualization, as seen in American entertainment. However, it is definitely an issue with K-pop and South Korean society in general.
A New Yorker piece argued that K pop was much less sexualized than its Japanese and American counterparts, to the point that the music stars themselves have to live a pretty straight edge life while in the spotlight
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/10/08/121008fa_fact_...
Right, many of the entertainment agencies have "dating bans" that often last until the artists are in their late 20s. This is the exact opposite of what's going on with someone like Taylor Swift - a new guy every couple of months. In America, the fans take an interest in that, or at least don't discourage it. And they eat up the songs that are based on her relationships. In Korea, an artist would be crucified for acting like that.
Eh, the dating bans are because fans expect their idols to be "pure" and "virgin"; the thought of them being with a man ruins that image and can even spark outrage from the community (mostly consisting of very obsessed 20s-to-middle-aged men.) It's not so much about being socially conservative as it is ruining a bunch of guys' fantasies because women should be "pure."
And a lot of K-pop songs have to do with relationships— just not actual ones.
>I can see there being high view counts for K-pop music videos in the Middle Eastern and African countries, where it K-pop gained popularity as a credible alternative to Western entertainment, which may be too sexualized for the socially conservative sensibilities in those countries.
Eh, say what? K-pop is even more sexualized than 90% of western music videos.
Plus, nobody much cares about K-pop in the Middle East and Africa. Maybe a tiny 0.1% minority.
I'd certainly be interested in seeing some numbers on view inflation on those videos.