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Apart from taking the internet by storm, K-pop bands like BIGBANG and 2PM are now a beacon of inspiration, especially for upcoming mainstream content like Pixar's Turning Red.
In a Billboard Japan interview, Turning Red's director Domee Shi mentioned how she drew inspiration from legendary South Korean bands and artists. The director further explains that she used the K-pop boy band format to model a boy band for the movie: 4 ★ TOWN.
In the article, she said:
"For young teenage girls like Mei Lee, boy groups are all about glitter. It is their first step into the world of boys. Through it, they can expand their friend circle. Therefore, I thought it would be interesting to incorporate it into the story."
Note: The above text has been presented using Google Translate, followed by further edits for grammatical fidelity.
What is the role of K-pop boy bands in Pixar's Turning Red?
Domee Shi mentioned how the movie tries to capture this inherent "Asianness." Since it narrates the story of a young Asian girl, it is vital to capture the essence of boy bands and their impact. The Billboard Japan article highlighted that South Korean boy bands are a vital and predominant part of Asian culture.
K-pop fans are happy to learn about the massive global impact of the South Korean music scene, and are proud of veteran bands like BIGBANG and 2PM continuing to influence mainstream media.
One netizen shared how Domee Shi was a fan of bands like BIGBANG and 2PM in her college days. She tried to replicate a piece of it in the upcoming animated series.
Another netizen shared how the voice actor for Mei Lee is a K-music fan themselves. In a post, voice artist Rosalie Chiang revealed herself as a fan of South Korean pop sensation SEVENTEEN.
Turning Red follows the story of 13-year-old Mei. Being an Asian child, she works hard to live up to the strict standards set by her parents. In reality, she is like any other young girl who loves spending time with her friends while fangirling and crushing on idol groups.
But the plot gets real when she wakes up to find herself transformed into a big red panda.
Netizens are excited to see how the South Korean-inspired boy band, 4 ★ TOWN, will turn out.
