POP/STARS

"POP/STARS" is a high-energy anthem of empowerment, confidence, and unapologetic dominance. The song's meaning is multi-layered, functioning both as a standalone pop track and as a piece of promotional content for the video game League of Legends. At its core, the song is a declaration of power and success. The lyrics are delivered from the perspective of the members of the virtual K-pop group K/DA, who portray themselves as being at the pinnacle of their craft, untouchable and unrivaled. Phrases like "I'm a goddess with a blade," "We're so tough / Not scared to show you up," and the triumphant chorus "Ain't nobody bringing us down down down down" all contribute to this central theme of invincibility and self-assuredness. The song celebrates ambition and the relentless pursuit of greatness ("We go hard / Till we get it get it"). It's a message intended to resonate with a wide audience, encouraging listeners to embrace their own power and strive for the top in their own lives. The blend of English and Korean lyrics further broadens its appeal, reflecting the global nature of both K-pop and the League of Legends community. The song also embodies the 'girl crush' concept found in K-pop, which showcases women as strong, independent, and inspiring figures.

The song opens with a confident and direct address to the listener, announcing the group's return and asserting their undeniable presence. It's a bold declaration from the virtual K-pop group K/DA, immediately establishing a tone of power and self-assurance. The lyrics, a dynamic mix of English and Korean, paint a picture of fierce, talented women who are at the top of their game and fully aware of their impact.

The first verse, delivered with a sharp and rhythmic flow, uses the metaphor of a "goddess with a blade" to convey a sense of dangerous elegance and skill. This isn't just about musical performance; it's about combat-like precision and an unforgettable presence. The Korean lines reinforce this, demanding that everyone shouts their name so it can't be forgotten, emphasizing their goal of leaving a permanent mark. The phrase "bad gal gal gal" is a self-proclaimed title of their rebellious and powerful nature, a refusal to be constrained by expectations.

The narrative then shifts to a more seductive and enigmatic persona. The lyrics describe a "picture perfect face" with a "wild" side, hinting at a complexity beneath the polished exterior. This duality is a source of their power, making them unpredictable and captivating. The repeated "growl" is a primal assertion of this untamed spirit, a warning and a promise of the raw energy they possess.

As the pre-chorus builds anticipation, the lyrics invite the audience to keep their eyes fixed on the group, promising a spectacle that will exceed all expectations. There's a challenge in the words, a confident assertion that they are on an unattainable level, daring anyone to try and match them. This section is a testament to their dominance and the feeling that they are in complete control of their destiny, holding everything "in our hands now."

The chorus erupts as a powerful, anthemic chant of resilience and triumph. The recurring line, "Ain't nobody bringing us down," becomes a mantra of invincibility. It speaks to their strength in the face of challenges and their determination to wear the crown, symbolizing their status as queens of their domain. They dismiss any attempts to defeat them, suggesting opponents can try another round but will ultimately fail. The declaration "We POP/STARS" is a climactic moment, defining their identity not just as musicians but as celestial beings of the pop world who are destined for victory.

The second verse brings a new burst of energy with a rapid-fire rap section. The lyrics are boastful and aggressive, filled with imagery of magic and cold precision. Phrases like "I'm the realest in the game" and "I'm on fire with a blade" reinforce their supremacy and skill. This part of the song highlights their versatility and the sharp, cutting-edge style that defines them. The Korean lines speak of taking down opponents in a single shot and having a spirit that never dies, adding to the warrior-like persona.

The song's structure, with its build-ups and explosive releases, mirrors the emotional journey of a high-stakes competition. It's a narrative of continuous effort ("We go hard 'til we get it") and deep immersion in their craft ("we so in it"). The final bridge and outro serve as a powerful conclusion, a final, echoing reminder of their unshakeable position at the top. The song is a comprehensive story of ambition, power, and the thrill of being an unstoppable force in the world.

"POP/STARS" was created by Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, as a promotional song for the 2018 League of Legends World Championship, which was held in South Korea. The project was born from Riot's desire to create more musical content and to give a special tribute to the event's host country, a hub for both esports and K-pop. The Riot Music Team, led by Toa Dunn, aimed to create a global track that blended Western pop with K-pop influences.

The virtual group K/DA consists of four League of Legends characters: Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai'Sa. These characters were chosen for their potential to be seen as pop stars, with Ahri having a previous 'Pop Star' skin in the game. The creative team, including creative lead Patrick Morales and skins lead Janelle Jimenez, developed distinct personas for each member to fit pop group archetypes.

For the vocals, Riot Games collaborated with real-world artists. American singers Madison Beer and Jaira Burns voiced Evelynn and Kai'Sa, respectively. Soyeon and Miyeon, members of the K-pop group (G)I-DLE, provided the voices for Akali and Ahri. The song was composed by Sébastien Najand and co-written with Harloe (who also provided additional vocals), while Lydia Paek and Minji Kim handled the Korean translations. Justin Tranter served as the executive producer.

The song was released on November 3, 2018. The debut performance occurred at the World Championship opening ceremony, featuring the real-life singers performing alongside augmented reality versions of the K/DA characters. The accompanying music video, produced by the French animation studio Fortiche Production, was released simultaneously and quickly went viral, achieving massive viewership on YouTube.

"POP/STARS" features a dynamic and energetic rhythmic structure with a fast tempo of 170 beats per minute (BPM). This high-speed tempo drives the song's intense and exciting feel, perfectly complementing the themes of power and performance. The song is composed in the key of D Minor.

The rhythmic foundation is built on a modern trap beat, especially prominent in the verses and Akali's rap section, characterized by crisp hi-hats and a deep 808 bass. The chorus shifts into a more anthemic, four-on-the-floor dance-pop rhythm, creating a powerful and uplifting release of tension built up in the pre-chorus.

The rhyme scheme is generally straightforward, focusing on couplets and strong end rhymes to enhance its catchiness. For example, in the chorus, "down" is rhymed with "crown," creating a simple but effective AABB-like structure within its phrases. The verses employ a mix of perfect and near rhymes, such as "blade" and "name" or "top" and "stop".

Lyrically, the rhythm is varied. The vocal melodies often use syncopation, playing against the main beat to add groove and interest. Soyeon's rap as Akali is a showcase of rhythmic complexity, using a rapid-fire, percussive delivery with intricate internal rhymes and a flow that weaves in and out of the beat. This contrast between the sung melodies and the aggressive rap sections is a key feature of the song's dynamic energy. The interplay between the driving musical rhythm and the varied vocal rhythms creates a track that is both danceable and lyrically engaging.

"POP/STARS" employs a variety of stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, to create its impactful and memorable sound.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The track is a masterful blend of K-pop, American pop, trap, and electronic dance music. This fusion creates a unique, global sound that appeals to a wide audience.
• Bilingual Lyrics: The song seamlessly integrates English and Korean lyrics. This not only pays homage to the K-pop genre but also reflects the international nature of the League of Legends player base.
• Dynamic Structure and Production: The song has a dynamic structure with distinct sections for each member, including a powerful rap break for Akali. The production is crisp and modern, featuring heavy side-chain compression on the chords in the chorus to create a 'pumping' feeling that makes space for the heavy kick drum. The use of layered snares adds depth, and the intricate sound design incorporates unique sound effects and samples.
• Vocal Delivery: Each vocalist brings a unique style that defines their character's persona. Madison Beer's delivery as Evelynn is sultry and confident, Jaira Burns' as Kai'Sa is powerful and direct, Miyeon's as Ahri is melodic and captivating, and Soyeon's rap as Akali is aggressive and technically intricate.

Literary Techniques:

• Metaphor and Imagery: The lyrics are filled with powerful metaphors, such as "goddess with a blade" and "wear the crown," to establish the group's dominance. Vivid imagery like "picture perfect face with that wild in my veins" creates a strong sense of character.
• Repetition and Hooks: The chorus utilizes strong repetition with the memorable hook "Ain't nobody bringing us down down down down," making it highly catchy and anthemic. The repeated "growl, growl, growl, growl" and "loud, loud, loud, loud" are effective sonic motifs.
• Direct Address: The song frequently uses direct address ("You know who it is," "You ready for this?"), creating an engaging and confrontational relationship with the listener, pulling them directly into the world of K/DA.

"POP/STARS" had a massive and immediate cultural impact that transcended the League of Legends community and resonated across the globe. Upon its release on November 3, 2018, the song and its music video went viral, amassing over 100 million views on YouTube within a month. This explosive popularity catapulted the virtual group K/DA into a global phenomenon.

The song achieved significant chart success, topping Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart, making K/DA the fourth K-pop girl group to do so. It also hit #1 on iTunes K-Pop charts and performed well on various other music platforms worldwide. In 2022, "POP/STARS" was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a historic achievement for a virtual group and the first K-pop girl group to receive this certification.

The success of "POP/STARS" highlighted the growing cultural force of video games in mainstream entertainment and demonstrated a successful fusion of Western pop and K-pop. It generated a massive wave of fan engagement, including countless pieces of fan art, cosplay, and dance covers. The augmented reality performance at the 2018 League of Legends World Championship was widely praised for its innovation, blending the virtual characters with the real-life performers on stage. The song and the group K/DA became a benchmark for transmedia marketing, successfully leveraging a popular video game IP to create a beloved musical act with its own dedicated fanbase, ultimately leading to further musical projects from Riot Games, such as the EP "ALL OUT".

"POP/STARS" and its music video are rich with symbolism and metaphors that enhance its themes of power, fantasy, and cultural fusion.

• The Subway Train: The video opens with Kai'Sa on a subway, which transforms into a glittering, fantastical stage. This symbolizes the transition from the mundane to the extraordinary, representing K/DA's ability to turn any environment into their personal concert hall and dominate any space they enter.
• Akali's Neon Transformation: Akali's scenes are particularly striking. She wears a mask that projects a glowing demon face, and her graffiti art comes to life with a neon dragon. This symbolizes her rebellious spirit and dual identity – the fierce, untamed artist behind the pop idol persona. The use of blacklight and neon paints her as a creature of the night, edgy and unpredictable. This scene was a key part of the music video's creative direction, meant to establish that K/DA exists 'somewhere between fantasy and reality'.
• Evelynn's Luxury Car and Diamond Claws: Evelynn is portrayed with extreme luxury—a high-end sports car and sharp, diamond-like claws. This imagery symbolizes her diva status, danger, and seductive power. She is alluring but deadly, a 'bad gal' who is in complete control and enjoys the finest things. Her claws represent her predatory nature, making her both beautiful and threatening.
• Ahri's Allure and Crystal Fox Tail: Ahri, the group's leader, is often surrounded by enchanting visuals, and her signature nine tails appear as crystalline objects of beauty and power. This symbolizes her captivating charm and magical nature. She is the central, mesmerizing figure who draws everyone in.
• The 'Blade' and 'Crown': The lyrics repeatedly use metaphors of combat and royalty. Phrases like "goddess with a blade" and being "on fire with a blade" equate their artistic performance and verbal skills with the precision and lethality of a weapon. The goal to "wear the crown" is a clear metaphor for achieving and maintaining the number one spot in the music world, symbolizing their victory and undisputed reign.

"POP/STARS" utilizes several recurring phrases and motifs to reinforce its core message and create a memorable listening experience.

• "You know who it is... It's K/DA, uh!": This phrase, appearing at the beginning and referenced throughout, acts as the group's signature call sign. It's a confident introduction that immediately establishes their identity and presence. Its recurrence reinforces their brand and serves as a powerful bookend to their musical statements.
• "Ain't nobody bringing us down": This is the central lyrical motif of the song and the heart of the chorus. Its constant repetition transforms it into an empowering mantra, emphasizing their invincibility, resilience, and unwavering position at the top. The addition of the repeated word "down" amplifies this feeling of defiance.
• "Can you feel the rush now?": This recurring rhetorical question appears at the end of the pre-chorus and verses, directly engaging the listener. It serves to build anticipation and highlights the thrilling, high-energy experience K/DA provides. It challenges the audience to keep up with their intensity.
• "We go hard": This phrase, found in the bridge, is a motif that encapsulates the group's work ethic and determination. It emphasizes that their success is not accidental but the result of relentless effort and dedication, a common theme in both competitive gaming and the life of a pop star.
• The "Growl" and "Loud" sound motifs: The repetition of words like "Growl, growl, growl, growl" and "Loud, loud, loud, loud" act as sonic motifs. The "growl" represents the members' untamed, wild side, while "loud" signifies their desire to be heard and to make an unforgettable impact. These repeated sounds add a visceral, textural layer to the lyrics.