K-Pop Sampling: Classical Music Revival & Cultural Impact

K-pop gained global popularity for its catchy songs and impressive performances. The genre blends various musical styles, and has attracted a diverse audience over the years. It is now a significant part of contemporary music culture.

And there is a new trend in the K-Pop space – the resurgence of classical music sampling in K-Pop. A cultural fusion that blends classical and modern beats to attract diverse audiences.

In this blog, we'll cover K-Pop & Classical Sampling, it's cultural impact, show you the technical aspects of a K-Pop track and an example on how to make a K-Pop Beat.

What is K-Pop?

Let's start with defining the genre. K-pop, short for Korean pop music, is a fun genre that started in South Korea and mixes all kinds of sounds like pop, hip-hop, and R&B. It's famous for its catchy tunes and eye-catching performances, with music videos that are super vibrant and full of dance moves.

If you’ve been keeping an eye , you might have noticed a trend on the K-pop scene lately. Many artists are sampling music from a variety of genres, classical included.

K-Pop and Classical Music Sampling

As we pointed out, classical music is making a comeback in K-pop. More and more artists use classical samples into their tracks. According to High School LATimes this trend isn’t just about nostalgia; it allows artists to make sounds that resonate with a wider audience.

Just think about it—how many recent tracks can you name that blend classical motifs? Those elements amplify the emotional richness of K-pop songs and create memories for listeners.

Cultural Fusion

K-pop is great to blend genres, and the inclusion of classical music is an example. By sampling timeless compositions, artists honor the past and make it relatable for today’s listeners

As Billboard notes this mix attracts individuals from different backgrounds, merging familiar classical themes with modern beats that captivate listeners.

Artistic Expression and Debate
Now on the debate surrounding the legitimacy of sampling. Critics argue it might dilute the essence of artistic authenticity. However, they overlook the mark of innovation and creativity on the work that sampling involves.

A piece by The Fifth Agency shows that audiences consider it innovative and often view sampling as a bridge connecting them with the musical past while enjoying their favorite artists in the present. There is creativity involved in reinterpreting existing work.

The Technical Aspects of K-Pop Music Production

One aspect of K-pop is its use of layered vocals. Vocal tracks are often doubled or tripled to create a thicker, more dynamic sound. This requires careful recording techniques and precise mixing to ensure clarity and balance between the layers. Additionally, K-pop often employs auto-tune and pitch correction as creative effects, enhancing vocal performances while maintaining a sense of artistry.

Another key technical detail is the genre's broad frequency spectrum. K-pop mixes typically cover a broad range of frequencies, from deep sub-bass (around 20–60 Hz) to sparkling highs (above 12 kHz), ensuring that every element of the track can be heard distinctly. This makes equalization (EQ) settings critical.

Making a K-Pop Beat

Here's a generic example on how a K-pop track can be produced.

1. Track Arrangement:
   • Intro: Use a soft pad and strings sampled from classical music (around 200-400 Hz for warmth).
   • Verse: Add layered vocals, focusing on the lead vocal sitting around 1.5 kHz to 3 kHz (where clarity lives).
   • Chorus: Bright synths and a punchy kick drum—high-pass filter the kick at 40 Hz to remove muddiness.
   • Bridge: Incorporate classical samples, but roll off below 120 Hz using a low-cut filter to retain clarity.
2. Mixing:
   • Kick Drum: Compress at a ratio of 4:1, attack time around 10 ms, and release around 50 ms. EQ; boost at 60 Hz for punch, cut around 300 Hz for clarity.
   • Vocals: Use a de-esser to tame sibilance (apply between 5 kHz and 10 kHz). Add a slight reverb (around 1.2 seconds) for depth but keep it subtle to maintain clarity.
   • Synths: Add a stereo widener plugin to create a sense of space. Use an EQ to boost around 8 kHz for brightness.
3. Mastering:
   • Use a multiband compressor to tighten the low-end while allowing the mids and highs to breathe.
   • Normalize the mix to -0.1 dB to avoid clipping, employing a limter with a ceiling set at -1 dB.
   • Apply gentle EQ adjustments to ensure the final mix has a balanced frequency spectrum (a mild boost at 10 kHz for sheen).

Final Words

The merge of classical music sampling in K-pop reflects not just the genre's dynamic evolution but also its cultural significance. K-pop continues to reshape itself, and sampling practices could help influence global music trends.