Stereotypes: A Study on the Construction of Female Images in K-pop Girl Group Music

The influence of K-pop girl group music is increasing, and its audience is growing more diverse. The development of K-pop girl group music reflects the progress of feminism, but traces of stereotyped female images can still be observed. This paper explores the construction of these stereotypes from the perspective of gender construction in the development of K-pop girl group music. To date, few scholars have systematically studied K-pop girl groups and their music through text analysis to uncover the meanings behind the music that is now widely appreciated. This study attempts to address the gap in understanding of how female images are constructed and how female stereotypes have evolved in K-pop music. The study employs thematic analysis to examine three main aspects: the construction of female images, research methods, and research findings. From a feminist perspective, men are often in a dominant position in the media, while women are intentionally marginalized or stereotyped. The research findings indicate that prior to the fourth generation of K-pop girl groups, music works were predominantly focused on the theme of love, with groups largely favoring a sexy and glamorous style. Dance movements were primarily characterized by softness and femininity. After the fourth generation, music themes began to shift towards self-empowerment and dreams, while group styles diversified to include sweet, cool, and fierce aesthetics. Dance movements have also become more powerful and incorporated many hip-hop elements. Additionally, the variety of music genres has expanded, showcasing diverse forms of female beauty. The study reveals that in the process of developing K-pop girl group music, there are tendencies that deviate from or even alienate mainstream gender consciousness. However, the evolving stereotype of female images in K-pop music suggests greater possibilities for future development.