Transform yourself into a K-Pop idol! Decide who is in your group, design your outfits and have a go at adding some sparkle to your clothes with a soft circuit. Then plan your dance moves and design a poster to tell the world who you are!
K-Pop is short for Korean popular music. It comes from South Korea, in East Asia.
Since the 1990s there have been lots of exciting things happening in fashion, film, technology and pop music in South Korea. All of this activity is often called Hallyu or K-Wave.
Imagine yourself as a pop star
Imagine that you are a pop star or are in a group. Perhaps some of your friends are also in your group – or you could make up some imaginary groupmates.
Your group isn't just any group – it's a K-Pop group! Decide what your group will be called.
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K-Pop is not just about music. Fashion and dance routines are also an important part of K-Pop. If you are not familiar with K-Pop, you may need to do some research for your group. What sort of clothes do K-Pop bands wear? What is their hair like? Do you like their sound? What are their dance moves?
What is K-Pop style?
There are lots of inspirations behind K-Pop outfits, from sportswear and streetwear to other music styles such as hip-hop and gothic style.
K-Pop groups don't always have one look but often change their style for each new record they make. Sometimes groups wear bright or pastel colours such as pinks and yellows, with hair to match! Sometimes they wear lots of black and red and are a bit more punk-y looking.
What is the inspiration?
K-Pop style is also inspired by Korean fashion.
Some of the inspiration behind Korean fashion design may be surprising. Although the K-Wave is all about innovation and fresh new ideas, South Korean fashion designers often look to traditional shapes, techniques and fabrics for inspiration.
The patchwork technique that fashion designer Chunghie Lee has used to make these trousers is a traditional Korean textile technique called jogakbo. And the shape of the trousers is inspired by the baggy trousers traditionally worn in Korea.
Design your K-Popstar outfits
Have a go at designing outfits for you and your band to wear. Be inspired by fashions and fabrics from South Korea, or browse the rock and pop costumes in the V&A collection for ideas.
Draw your outfit designs. You could design a few different looks for your different performances. As well as thinking about your clothes, think about what your hair will look like and the shoes you will wear.
Make it sparkle
Technology is also an important part of K-Wave. Have you played any Korean computer games?
Have a go at adding some hi-tech sparkle to your look with wearable technology. Create a soft circuit patch with LED lights and add it to a sweatshirt or jacket.
Usually, electronic circuits are connected with wires, but you can use conductive thread to stitch the LED onto fabric. You can buy simple kits with all the components you need.
Visit Kitronok with an adult for instructions and more ideas.
Plan your moves!
Dance routines are essential for a K-Pop group. The moves are carefully worked out and practiced long and hard to make sure that everyone in the group is step-perfect for their performance.
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Plan a simple dance routine for your K-Pop group. It could include side-steps, back-and-forward mini-marches, spins, jumps, knee-knocks and of course, lots of arm movements!
Design and make a poster
Now that you have a group, a group name, a look and some moves, you just need to tell the world who you are!
Design and make a poster to promote your imaginary group. It could include photographs or drawings of you and your bandmates, pictures of other cool things that you like and of course your group name.
Pin your poster to your bedroom wall to remind you of your sparkling K-Pop career!
Feeling inspired? Visit Hallyu! The Korean Wave with the whole family. Free for under 12s, open until 25 June 2023.
