Litia Tuiburelevu Photo: Supplied
At first glance it may seem like an unlikely combination - Korean pop music and Pasifika youth - but as a new documentary on The Spinoff demonstrates, there’s a synergy and understanding.
K-pop is a distinctive form of contemporary popular music originating in South Korea, that has gone global in appeal. The first recorded use of the term was in 1999.
The short documentary K-Polys directed by Litia Tuiburelevu (Still Here) follows Boba, Ethan and Ashley in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, exploring their relationship with K-Pop culture.
The doco is stylised and dream-like. Soft blur filters and kaleidoscopic lenses, reflect elements of K-Pop and the sense of escapism the genre provides for its fans.
Tuiburelevu thought of the idea after holidaying in Fiji with her family when Fiji was hosting a K-pop festival, with dancers competing for a chance to go to South Korea. Tuiburelevu wanted to look at Pacific youth and K-Pop fandom within Aotearoa.
Boba, who identifies as non-binary and lesbian, discovered K-Pop at the age of eight after her brother introduced her to it. Drawn to the costumes, music and the “girly-ness of it”, it made them feel less alone.
Ethan moved to New Zealand from Fiji three years ago and describes K-Pop as a “guilty pleasure”. Dance has always been a medium to express his emotions and he describes being “comforted” when you see K-pop.
Meanwhile, Ashley of Cook Island and Niuean descent was adopted and didn’t have the chance to grow up in her culture. She learnt more traditional European styles of dancing like ballet and ballroom and reconnected with dancing in university after discovering K-Pop.
“There’s a sense of community that’s foundational in both cultures but K-Pop is so much about the community that you’re part of” says Ashley.
“The K-Pop community, the fans, coming together to do dances, talking about the groups online, watching K-Dramas, it’s that sense of being together and the warmth of being together.
“As Pacific peoples we really align with that,” explains Tuiburelevu.
All three subjects feel K-Pop has allowed them to be themselves and make them feel like they can fit in.
Food, respecting your elders and learning about the culture through the language are key similarities the cultures share. The cross-cultural dynamics have created a diverse fanbase.
Litia Tuiburelevu spoke to Culture 101’s Perlina Lau.
