love me some (asian) gangsta.

Title got you worried/confused? No need to fear, my friends. I haven't sold my soul to T-Pain or traded my flats for Air Force Ones... but Korea has. Sort of.

Apparently, Koreans have discovered their inner gangsta and they're not afraid to show it. Major area of exhibition: K-POP.

Everywhere I go, I'm followed/haunted by Korean pop music, which is blasted all over the place (in stores, restaurants, on the streets, etc.). A substantial number (like, all) of these K-Pop hits exemplify Korea's oddly entertaining love affair with all things hip-hop/gangsta. Three songs in particular will NOT leave me alone. The music videos take the cake. Watch them: I promise you will be entertained.

1. "Fire" by 2Ne1 - Would it be okay if I came back to the states looking like this? Because I'm really, really tempted. 

2. "Lollipop" by Big Bang ft. 2Ne1 - What could POSSIBLY get better than this??? This video wins in so many ways... the neon outfits, the funkilicious glasses, the space-age hairdos... oh, and of course, the song itself.

3. "Diva" by After School -  Love when they break out in rap. Also, love the ridiculously bouncy refrain ("diva!diva!didivadiva!"). Oh, and I almost forgot: their awesome outfits (the best part? I've seen actual people dressed like this on the streets).

Oh my Asian.