Griselda Lucero
ENG 21002
Joseph Furlong
May 27, 2019
Peer Interview
As I debated in choosing a right area to conduct a proper interview with my fellow classmate, Carline. We decided to just do the interview by the windows near the escalators entrance of the 3rd floor in the NAC building. In the beginning on getting accommodated we struggled to meet eyes. Although we are classmates, we had never encountered or exchanged words. The process of introducing myself and conducting the interview started very awkwardly but as I continued to introduce myself, her warm inviting smile created a different atmosphere between us.
Carline is a very tall dark skinned woman with a very intimidating face. When we conducted we conducted the interview carline’s hair was tied up in a high bun. She was wearing a black graphic tee, with an olive green jacket, dark denim jeans and black boots. Although carline looks very intimidating as she begins conversation with me, her warm soft voice becomes inviting and down to earth. Carline introduced herself by providing me with her last name of Vertusma, also as a 19-year-old Hattian woman, currently college student at City College.
Awkwardly I jumped to the question of asking “what subculture she felt she had belonged to?”. Shockingly and unware of my awkward introduction to my question she replied “Kpop” I was unware of what Kpop meant or what type o subculture she referred to but was interested in learning more. Carline stated “Year 2012, I remember one of the first times I listened to Korean music I was watching MNET, it is like America’s music choice but where different music is played. I got into kpop because I was watching Korean dramas and the songs that were played in the show I wanted to listen more of it so I would search it up on YouTube and I would download them on an MP3 player app to listen. I liked the language of the Koreans itself, that’s I why I kept listening to Korean songs and it’s something I still do now.” Carline categorized herself as being part of the Kpop culture, in which it involved appreciating and understanding Korean music. I followed the question of how the subculture affected her daily life and she replied “Being part of this subculture I find myself being immersed in what is going on in Korea in terms of celebrities. I listen to Korean music a lot so I would listen to the same song over and over.”
As we continued with our interview I ask politely if it was okay for her to show me a Kpop song and she happily agreed. As we were seated Carline pulled her phone out and went straight to YouTube, she played a Kpop song. As I listened, I had no idea what the artist were saying but the tone of the music seemed upbeat and many of the music videos had very bright up beat colors that made a person want to dance. I followed the interview and asked what kind of rituals/ traditions did subculture have? She answered, “I listen to kpop songs while I’m outside, the train or the subways and I sing the songs and sometimes do the dance as well.” Carline clearly made it known she was a very huge fan of the kpop culture. She has spent hours of her day listen to this type of music and learning the lyrics. Carline has also spent her money to partake in concerts and meet many of the kpop artist.
What I believed was interesting was the Carline believes that many people think that if one culture appreciates or likes another cultures music there are labeled as being “want to be’s” or want to be “part” of the other culture. She added that she doesn’t want to be part of the Korean culture but appreciates and admire their music for personal reasons. I was able to conduct a very quick and effective interview to understand that Carline identified to be part of the Kpop subculture for personal liking and admiration. I was able to learn about a new subculture and their impact for an individual in our society.
