Tradition and Innovation in 1st Generation Idol Music - The Case of Remakes

The onset of the 21st century marked a developmental phase that illuminated the past culturally with cycles spanning approximately 20 years. Currently, a significant re-exploration of the cultural environment manifested in the 1990s and the early 2000s is underway, with its impact discernible in the K-pop genre of popular music. This study clarified that the phenomenon of 1st generation idol music being remade across the 3rd and 4th generations is not merely imitation but a complex phenomenon shaping new musical landscapes and values. The exploration of 1st generation idol remake music focused intensively on the intertwined cultural continuity and changes between tradition and the modern era. This highlights the inherent differences and possibilities of transformation within repetition, or emphasizing the societal and cultural values of respect bestowed upon idol fandoms. The reinterpretation and recreation of musical traditions established by the 1st generation idols through subsequent generations are expected to address prevalent concerns about the authenticity of K-pop.