I recently wrote on my Substack about emerging from weeks of covid to the unexpected joy of Harry Styles. I'm 43, and was very much the insufferable indie kid when younger.
I've since doubled down on my new found Styles appreciation, making the case to two friends, a seasoned music journo and equally seasoned music broadcaster that Styles is on a Beatles trajectory. From tight pop songs with One Direction to more nuanced and eclectic solo pop output (his latest outing having some solo McCartney vibes to it).
I think some readers thought I was taking the piss, with a few DM's, and a suggestion that I should stay in my lane of food and drink. I think the point about you like it or you don't really hits home with me. My listening in an average day could be Max Richter, Liam Gallagher, Taylor Swift, Portico Quartet, Leonard Cohen, The Unthanks, Take That (who I despised as a kid), but not yet BTS... maybe it's time?
Nothing as weird as human reaction - very unnecessary! Out of bad though you have introduced me to a new band!! 😂😂 do the playlist - I feel like my parents saying I’ve never heard of them… 🤦♀️X
There’s a similar sentiment towards women who read romance books. I love romance books. I love Mariana Zapata’s slow burn books, Kristen Ashley’s Colorado Mountain series etc… I reread them, they make me happy.
I am 53 years old, much younger at heart. I have been listening to BTS since their beginnings, along with other Korean boy bands like them, all I can say is that I have great appreciation for their music and their growth as artists. I have seen BTS and other K-pop artists in concert and their talent never ceases to amaze me. I also have great appreciation for their humility, the respect they have for their fans, their commitment to personal and collective excellence (which is the reason for their hiatus), the maturity with which they accept their enormous fame, and so many more wonderful things I see in them as artists and as individuals. I am fortunate that my husband and grown children share in that appreciation but I am not immune from other people’s criticism of my “Guilty Pleasure” but I take it in stride, it doesn’t bother me anymore, although I confess I kept it quiet for a long time! The concerts? I blamed them on my daughter.
My Spotify K-pop list is 15 minutes shy from being 20 hours long, and I like every song I have in there. I don’t listen to
K-pop exclusively but it sure is sprinkled throughout all my playlists, the variety of music is endless! All this to say that I appreciate your article very much, you represent us many 50 somethings and beyond who enjoy and appreciate things different than expected from us in our age group, I’m sorry you’re taking the punches of close minded, inside the box kind of people without much sense of musical adventure. I’ve never been able to understand the eagerness they have to damage their liver over something so trivial as the taste in music others have, the hate is visceral!
It’s exciting to have found a kindred spirit in you. I hope you keep sharing about your discoveries in the world of K-pop.
Jo, as well as being sexist that comment showed contempt for gay people. Naturally you wouldn’t be seen dead liking music they like, was the implication. Whenever we choose to be snobbish, we have to find someone to think we’re superior to.
I recently wrote on my Substack about emerging from weeks of covid to the unexpected joy of Harry Styles. I'm 43, and was very much the insufferable indie kid when younger.
I've since doubled down on my new found Styles appreciation, making the case to two friends, a seasoned music journo and equally seasoned music broadcaster that Styles is on a Beatles trajectory. From tight pop songs with One Direction to more nuanced and eclectic solo pop output (his latest outing having some solo McCartney vibes to it).
I think some readers thought I was taking the piss, with a few DM's, and a suggestion that I should stay in my lane of food and drink. I think the point about you like it or you don't really hits home with me. My listening in an average day could be Max Richter, Liam Gallagher, Taylor Swift, Portico Quartet, Leonard Cohen, The Unthanks, Take That (who I despised as a kid), but not yet BTS... maybe it's time?
Nothing as weird as human reaction - very unnecessary! Out of bad though you have introduced me to a new band!! 😂😂 do the playlist - I feel like my parents saying I’ve never heard of them… 🤦♀️X
There’s a similar sentiment towards women who read romance books. I love romance books. I love Mariana Zapata’s slow burn books, Kristen Ashley’s Colorado Mountain series etc… I reread them, they make me happy.
Love the music , dance and synchronicity of BTS. So uplifting and fun to watch and listen to. I enjoyed your article Jo😊
Hi Jo!
I am 53 years old, much younger at heart. I have been listening to BTS since their beginnings, along with other Korean boy bands like them, all I can say is that I have great appreciation for their music and their growth as artists. I have seen BTS and other K-pop artists in concert and their talent never ceases to amaze me. I also have great appreciation for their humility, the respect they have for their fans, their commitment to personal and collective excellence (which is the reason for their hiatus), the maturity with which they accept their enormous fame, and so many more wonderful things I see in them as artists and as individuals. I am fortunate that my husband and grown children share in that appreciation but I am not immune from other people’s criticism of my “Guilty Pleasure” but I take it in stride, it doesn’t bother me anymore, although I confess I kept it quiet for a long time! The concerts? I blamed them on my daughter.
My Spotify K-pop list is 15 minutes shy from being 20 hours long, and I like every song I have in there. I don’t listen to
K-pop exclusively but it sure is sprinkled throughout all my playlists, the variety of music is endless! All this to say that I appreciate your article very much, you represent us many 50 somethings and beyond who enjoy and appreciate things different than expected from us in our age group, I’m sorry you’re taking the punches of close minded, inside the box kind of people without much sense of musical adventure. I’ve never been able to understand the eagerness they have to damage their liver over something so trivial as the taste in music others have, the hate is visceral!
It’s exciting to have found a kindred spirit in you. I hope you keep sharing about your discoveries in the world of K-pop.
I highly recommend the world of
K-dramas, it’s a beautiful world there too.
Jo, as well as being sexist that comment showed contempt for gay people. Naturally you wouldn’t be seen dead liking music they like, was the implication. Whenever we choose to be snobbish, we have to find someone to think we’re superior to.