Loading…
6
Appreciation post: Album art's role in building k-pop universes
Picking up graphic design as a hobby has made me appreciate the deliberate symbolism in recent album covers. Groups are using these visuals to lay groundwork for expansive lore, which adds layers to the music itself.
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
walker.grace6mo ago
Tbh, picking up graphic design made me notice how some older k-pop groups used album art too, but in a more subtle way. Remember when physical albums had those tiny booklets with cryptic images? Spent hours as a teen trying to decode those. Ngl, sometimes the lore feels forced now, like they're designing for ARGs instead of music. But you're right, when it's done well, it adds so much depth to the listening experience. Honestly, it's why I still buy physical copies, just to see how the art ties into their concept.
5
nguyen.wesley6mo ago
Ever consider that less lore means more room for interpretation, @the_caleb?
4
the_caleb6mo ago
Decoding those tiny booklets reminds me of when my friends and I would gather after school to pore over the liner notes of our favorite bands, not just K-pop. We'd argue over hidden meanings in the graffiti-style artwork on this one punk album, convinced the band had buried messages about local politics. It felt like we were part of some secret club, which I guess is the point of good lore, right? Do you ever miss that tactile, social aspect of deciphering art together?
4