Üsküdar University Founding Rector Professor Doctor Nevzat Tarhan made the following statements regarding the reality of K-Pop.
"This is known as a music genre, but in essence, it's about visuals. It's necessary to look at what the philosophy behind the K-Pop movement is, what the psychology behind it is. K-Pop is a state-supported project. Children are taken from a young age and specially trained. A new role model is created for adolescents from this. They encourage young people in this way. There is an approach that glorifies outward appearance and beauty. Star candidates must be thin, well-groomed, made-up, and constantly fit. There's such a perception. Through this, children are taught a kind of visual fetishism. That is, they have developed a doctrine that sanctifies being visual. The reason adolescents like it stems from it meeting the expectations of the new generation. Unlike previous generations, the new generation does not want war; they don't like ideology, they don't like family, they don't like life's responsibilities. They see family as a burden. They consider buying a house or car, or getting into debt by earning money, as meaningless and unnecessary.
They also use this age group's understanding of innocence. They use gender neutrality. For example, sexuality is forbidden among themselves. They have created such a model. Through this, they are making serious money globally. This is an area that says everything is permissible for money, which does not suit Korean culture at all. In other words, they bribed the values that made Korea Korea and are trying to create a K-Pop generation in this way.
They also use this age group's understanding of innocence. They use gender neutrality. For example, sexuality is forbidden among themselves. They have created such a model. Through this, they are making serious money globally. This is an area that says everything is permissible for money, which does not suit Korean culture at all. In other words, they bribed the values that made Korea Korea and are trying to create a K-Pop generation in this way.
Can a K-Pop generation be created? It has been created. There are many fans from Turkey as well.
There are those who want to go. There is a new model emerging. This one also seems to have caught on. However, it is not sustainable. It is currently spreading like wildfire. Perhaps it will influence tens of millions of young people, but we will also experience its natural consequences. In other words, this understanding teaches adolescents to experience their adolescence differently. It views visuality as the only sacred value.
In an age where the internet is so widespread, it has been turned into a very serious commercial activity. I think it is also an economic model. If we, as a country, accept changing our culture, let's support this model. That is, if we say, "Our youth are not important. This is freedom. Let it not be local and national. It is enough for SIHAs and IHAs to be national. Let our people not be national," then let's support this. The Ministry of Tourism canceled the event in Ankara. I am not saying Ministry of Culture, I am saying Minister of Tourism. The word culture does not suit the Minister of Tourism. Thankfully, they realized it. Anyway, ultimately, for the state to support this meant suicide. Korea chose suicide. As a result, there will be no marriages in these generations. Because it advocates gender neutrality. Drug use will become widespread. Suicides will increase. I think psychiatric cases will increase even further.
It can be considered a sign that Western culture has been bought by Korea. Such innovations generally came from the USA. Now we see that Korea is more royalist than the king. The emergence of the capitalist system from Korea is in question.
The Importance of Digital Literacy and Giving Purpose to Youth
The duty of parents is that if a child is happy at home, the child might curiously look into it but won't get carried away. Then they'll leave it again. But if family ties are weak, and the child lacks digital literacy, they can get caught up. The most important thing the state can do here is to teach children digital literacy. They must use the digital world in a way that doesn't let them get carried away. Will they be the subject or the object of the digital world? They need to decide this. That's why we need to give young people purpose. We need to give them goals that they will work hard for and get tired for. For example, this year we held the 8th Science and Idea Festival. We started it in 2013. There, young people are drawn to such beautiful areas... We need to offer these alternatives to young people. Roads, bridges, and airports built are useless if you don't take care of your youth, if you cannot raise an honest generation.
Can parents have a more important duty than raising a good child? This should also be among the priorities of the state. The Ministry of Family and Social Services was established. Very good. But here, the Ministry of Family and Social Services focuses more on social services. The Ministry has no activity related to producing family policy. There are only "as if" activities. Only social assistance is provided. Family-related projects and studies need to be done. Mothers and fathers also need to be taught digital literacy. Investment needs to be made in this. It is a medium-to-long-term job. It will take time, of course. That is, the intention is good, but action needs to be taken.