[TF Focus] Death, Dead, Killl... The Background of K-Pop's 'Strong Titles' That Have Become Familiar

Cases of using provocative English words like 'Dead' and 'Death' are increasingA trend driven by changes in social sentiment and the globalization of K-popZEROBASEONE's member SUNG HANBIN named their first solo mini-album, released on the 12th, 'DEAD:ALIVE'. The album features many songs with titles that adopt aggressive words such as 'UNDEAD', 'Killin' Me', and 'Bloody Gravity.' / Reporter Park Sang-min[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] There is growing interest in the background behind the frequent appearance of 'strong titles' in K-pop music, particularly among male solo artists and boy groups.ZEROBASEONE's member SUNG HANBIN released their first solo album on the 12th, titling it 'DEAD:ALIVE', meaning 'death and life'. The album also includes songs like 'UNDEAD' (meaning 'living corpse'), 'Killin' Me' (meaning 'something that kills me'), and 'Bloody Gravity' (meaning 'bloody gravity'), titles that can be described as aggressive, if not outright violent.This is not a characteristic unique to SUNG HANBIN. EVAN also titled their solo EP 'DEATH OF ME' and released a title track of the same name. Prior to this, the title of their released single was 'Ride or Die', an idiom meaning 'a relationship that lasts until death'.Additionally, the band Xdinary Heroes has consistently used 'strong words' in their albums, such as 'LXVE to DEATH' (meaning 'love that leads to death') and 'DEAD AND' (meaning 'death, and'). Group All Hours named their fifth mini-album, released in March of this year, 'NO DOUBT', and its title track 'DEAD MAN WALKING', referring to a condemned prisoner walking to the gallows, meaning 'a dead person'. The music video for this song featured objects like a guillotine, chains, and demons.Of course, the decision to give these aggressive titles was likely made after considering each artist's concept, music genre, and the message they wanted to convey. The concentration of such titles around the same time could also be purely coincidental.However, the significant point is that these 'strong titles' are now being accepted without feeling strange or awkward.For instance, when songs like Baek Ji-young's 'Like Being Shot' and VIXX's 'Cursed Doll' were released in the past, their unique and aggressive titles garnered as much attention as the music itself. However, nowadays, while such aggressive titles might pique curiosity, they don't become major issues in themselves.Baek Ji-young's song 'Like Being Shot' garnered significant attention at the time of its release for its direct and unconventional title. However, it is now uncommon for a title itself to become a topic of discussion. / THE FACT DBFurthermore, the popularity of groups like Enhypen, who embrace dark and extreme 'dark concepts', has further accelerated the trend of 'strong and provocative words'.In response, one producer analyzed it as 'pushing the boundaries of expression'. Music producer A told , "Extreme or bizarre titles in K-pop can actually be found from the 2000s onwards. However, back then, self-censorship was strong, and these words were often used for limited themes like 'the pain of love and separation'. But now, these aggressive words are being used to express a wider range of themes, and artists are not as hesitant to use them."In fact, just over a decade ago, the inclusion of profanity in K-pop group lyrics or receiving a broadcast non-suitability rating was a major issue. However, recently, it's not uncommon to see 'F-words' and 'B-words' in K-pop group lyrics, and modifying lyrics for broadcast has become a natural occurrence rather than a special topic. Moreover, there are increasing cases where artists refuse to revise lyrics and do not even request re-evaluation.Producer A attributed this to a natural phenomenon resulting from changes in public perception and the globalization of K-pop. He stated, "Before the internet generation, people were sensitive to the use of such aggressive words or profanity. However, with the activation of various online communities and social media, and the formation of a culture that respects freedom of expression, people have become somewhat desensitized to these issues."He added, "As K-pop has become globalized, there seems to be a tendency to seek out words that resonate overseas. Looking at the lyrics of English-language music, there are many instances of overtly sexual or crime-related content. As K-pop expands globally, it may be that the level of intensity is increasing as it competes with such music."Singer EVAN also titled their first solo EP 'DEATH OF ME'. It is predicted that cases of choosing provocative titles or lyrics to more clearly express an album's concept or message will continue to increase. / Reporter Bae Jeong-hanIn addition, the ease of marketing is also cited as a significant factor. Producer A explained, "After all, provocative words are effective in arousing curiosity. There is definitely a tendency to seek stronger and more impactful words to make people curious and to catch their eye even once more."Furthermore, Producer A commented, "The trend of seeking 'stronger words, more impactful words' is a natural progression of the times. However, as the distinction between the domestic and international markets for K-pop blurs, the focus has shifted from lyrics to titles as well. While excessive violence, explicit sexuality, and drug use, as seen in some overseas songs, may be difficult to accept due to social sentiment, attempts to test the limits in titles and lyrics are expected to continue to increase."laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]