3 things to gripe about K-Pop

It is no secret that I like K-Pop. I mean, I have been talking, spazzing out, and blogging about K-Pop for years. I am glad to see that the genre has taken over the world as evidenced by the unstoppable Hallyu phenomenon.

Still, even if I love the genre, I harbor some complaints. Here are three of my gripes, which I believe a lot of K-Pop fanatics will agree with.

GRIPE #1. It's frustrating to have too many versions of one album come out!

The K-Pop music industry has made a business out of releasing extended plays (EPs) or mini albums and special repackaged albums for far too long.

Compared to Western releases where a full-length album is the norm, K-Pop albums are normally released as an EP with about four to five songs. Worse, some "mini albums" only contain two or three songs with one song being an instrumental version. Come on! That's not an album, that's a single!

In fairness to K-Pop, I have to admit that their package design is loads better than their Western counterparts. However, albums are primarily about the music and I want more music! Paying the same amount of money for a full-length album and an EP just does not feel right.

Recently, K-Pop superstars Shinhwa released "The Return," their comeback album. During their press conference, they emphasized that the album was full-length. Shinhwa have never released EPs throughout their career. I find it admirable that they've stuck to releasing just singles or full-length albums. None of this in-between nonsense.

And don't get me started on so-called "special editions." Regardless of how much you support the K-Pop artist you love, it stings when after paying regular price for an album, the artist releases a "special edition" with two or three additional songs, an updated album design and worse, a free DVD!

Being a true fan, you can't help but want the "special edition," even after paying good money on the "regular" release. Now, you face a dilemma. Would you buy the special edition for the additional songs and package design or just be content with the original version?

Many experienced K-Pop fans have learned to tiptoe around this reality and wait for the release of special editions. But then again, if you want to help your favorite artist make it to the top of the charts, you know you need to buy the first edition.

GRIPE #2. K-Pop made $800 million last year, but can't provide official translations!

Now that K-Pop has gone global, isn't it time to have an official English translation (or any other major language) automatically included in K-Pop albums, DVDs, photobooks and the like?

I own a few Taiwanese editions of K-Pop albums and I am always pleasantly surprised to find that they contain lyric sheets in Mandarin.

How I wish that translations would become a standard part of all K-Pop albums and DVDs!

Translations not only enhance the fan's enjoyment of the music or the movie but they also respect the fans who support the artist.

In behalf of fans everywhere, can K-Pop producers do us this favor? Come on, how much does it cost to hire an official translator vis-a-vis the earnings generated from album sales?

GRIPE #3. All these artificial idols are starting to look and sound alike!

The K-Pop industry has become so "idol-centric" that idol stars appear in almost anything. Idols are typically young stars who debut as singers in groups.

These days, idols are seen in dramas, television shows, commercials and movies, including consumer products like fans, socks, stationery… the list goes on. The demarcation line among the various categories of entertainers has blurred in the world of K-Pop.

There is no harm in having talents cross over to other fields. I mean, who does not appreciate the occasional triple threat? Still, when the emphasis and opportunities are too "idol-centric," fans eventually start seeing the same things over and over again.

Being "idol-centric" also limits the idols themselves. Many idols face the stress of trying to keep their perfect image. Thus, they become too artificial during press conferences and public appearances. They stick too rigidly to the formula that many times, they start looking and sounding alike!

Shedding the idol image is something idols eventually aspire for. They, too, wait for the time when they can be themselves in front of the camera. Hallyu star Kim Hyun Joong has openly talked about trying to shed the idol image as a solo star.

Do you know of other idol stars who are trying to shed their "idol" image?

Do you have other gripes about K-Pop? Share your thoughts with us!

Catherine Deen blogs for Yahoo! Philippines OMG! She lives, eats and breathes Korean music, cuisine, telenovelas and pop culture. Follow her on Twitter @cathsdeen.