k-pop vs. orientalism: no more than a machine

ways to help Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

this video essay is about the presence of orientalism pervading narratives about the k-pop idol industry's dark side. while the countless examples of exploitation, bigotry and scandal within this industry must be covered, there is a disturbingly common journalistic approach to pair coverage of legitimate issues in this industry with misinformation and misleading, cynical aesthetics depicting k-pop artists, execs and even fans as unfeeling, unthinking, and less-than-human.

this does not serve to benefit any of the exploited parties discussed; in fact, it is a way in which corporate media entities and corporate social media entities can exploit east asian people and industries through perpetuating an orientalist narrative, which, given the pervasive economic framework of east vs. west that fuels neoliberal capitalism, is both the means to an end and the ends to a mean. instead of relying on orientalist tropes to cover the dark side of k-pop, why don't we approach the k-pop industry with the same humanity and nuance that we approach exploitation with in western industries?

script and narration by Elliot Sang

editing and art (except for illustrations from the Vincent Chin section) by Danae O.

thumbnail art by Danae O.

Special thanks to
Dr. Crystal Anderson
Kang Haeryun
Lenika Cruz

Music

“pieces” by Elliot Sang
“info” by Elliot Sang
“I remember” by Elliot Sang

“BRODYQUEST” by Lemon Demon (from the homonymous Neil Cicierega classic)

“Arirang Jazz” by Yohan Kim (on Youtube: https://youtu.be/eFeq2Gt6BZs )
Clips from

VICE Investigates, “K-pop Machine”
“How Documentaries Lie to You” by Quinton Reviews
Blade Runner (1982)
Lost in Translation (2003)
Sex and the City 2 (2010) trailer
The Simpsons season 22 episode 467, “MoneyBart”
“Chinese Professor” by Citizens Against Government Waste (Youtube)
Joe Biden ad from April 18, 2020
The Kingdom (2007) official trailer #1
Cowboy Bebop (1998) opening
“There's something spreading faster than the coronavirus...racism” by USA TODAY (Youtube)
“Britain’s Chinese community faces racism over coronavirus outbreak” by South China Morning Post (Youtube)
Ashita no Joe, episode 1
“World is Mine” (live) by Hatsune Miku
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, episode 128
Pokémon: Indigo League opening
Detroit: The Bankruptcy of a Symbol via DocsOnline
Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1987)
Vincent, Who? (2009)
The Untamed
“’Parasite’ Wins Best Picture” via Oscars (Youtube)
Mass Effect 2
“Is Philosophy Just White Guys J3rk!ng Off?” by Philosophy Tube
“Why is My Curriculum White?” via UCL (Youtube)
“The Late Capitalism of K-pop” by Cuck Philosophy
“Boy With Luv” by BTS
The Supremes, “Stop in the Name of Love” (live at the Hollywood Palace)
Kendrick Lamar, “DNA”
Gravity Falls, episode 17, “Boyz Crazy”
“Instagram” by Dean
“eight” by IU (feat. SUGA)
“Rollercoaster” by Chung ha
“You Are” by GOT7
“DDU-DU DDU-DU” by BLACKPINK
“Cheer Up” by TWICE
“Move” by Taemin
“+REWIND170205+” by CL
“Missing You” by BTOB
“Nap of a Star” by TXT
donate to us on patreon to help fund our channel! http://patreon.com/bbygang

follow us on instagram! http://instagram.com/paperplanebbygang

follow us on soundcloud! http://soundcloud.com/bbygang

we love you!!

Видео k-pop vs. orientalism: no more than a machine канала bby gang mag