Inspirationisms // Journal

We spent a brief moment talking about Kpop and the inspirations that wallers can draw from the genre. That last discussion mainly revolved around working with color combinations and was founded on the principle that, when stuck on colors, always turn to photography. This time, we shift our attention to more stylistic approaches seen in the industry.

SM Entertainment, one of the powerhouses in Kpop, is not only renowned for producing high-caliber acts; they have a reputation for telling compelling stories through their ad campaigns. The acclaimed 13-now-10 member boy band, Super Junior, has released some of the most striking images in terms of movement and style. Meanwhile, f(x), a rookie group currently promoting their new album, has also proven to be ground-breaking.

In Motion
With its luxurious backdrops, blackened tones and artistic use of motion blurs, the Bonamana concept has created an atmosphere that is as decadent as it is elusive. Lighting is cleverly used to not only highlight the focus, but also to imbue the still-shot with elegance and motion. The gold and sepia tones provide contrasting warmth to the dark spaces that paint a melancholic picture. Best of all, while this style seems sophisticated, the execution is quite effortless.

Enlivened Monochrome
Super Junior's third album, Sorry Sorry, makes use of very different stylistic elements to hint at the youthful restlessness, brewing beneath the straight-laced streets of Seoul. In contrast to Bonamana, the boys seem lively and rebellious, as if balancing on the brink of something new. The art features your typical monochrome color schemes, but with unexpected roots in abstract. Citrus green typography can be reinterpreted with hard lines against a softer BW backdrop to create a piece very different from your run-of-the-mill grayscale with traces of color. This style can easily add a contemporary and urban twist to your most compelling BW scans.

Back in the Day
f(x)’s mini-album, NU ABO, alludes to 1970's Americana photography, evoking a nostalgia for yesterday. With bleached colors and a hint of paper grunge, the photographer--or waller--can effectively create a memory captured on Polaroid. Miyazaki's classic and youthful animations come to mind, especially when thinking about the similar ways in which we remember his work.



The Western and Asian music industries have both seen tremendous development as they grow more creative in their artwork. Between stylized photography and digital manipulations, artists and record companies have more to offer than good lyrics and motivational background music.