Continuing from part 1, it was indicated that K-pop concerts, particularly those that are performed outside, can cause a noise pollution problem. Since the perception of sound as noise varies depending on the individual exposed, the notion of environmental noise is highly nebulous (Murphy and King, 2022). The definition of noise pollution is thus focused on how noise as a pollutant that can be controlled. Although the basic term still refers to any unwelcome sound that might negatively disrupt everyday life, the definition of environmental noise refers to any unwanted sound from anthropogenic activities that can be viewed as dangerous and detrimental to human health and quality of life (Murphy et al., 2009; as cited in Murphy and King, 2022). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the main causes of environmental noise exposure are anthropogenic activities such as (road, rail, aviation traffic, and/or building sites). Noise exposure can also arise as a result of recreational activities such as listening to and participating in loud audio content, such as attending K-pop concerts. 

Regardless, the most pressing issue is how humans perceive excessive noise and how it affects their daily lives. According to Murphy and King (2022), this is because the human impact of ambient noise is frequently overlooked in technicalities such as noise indicators, decibel scales, modelling, and measurement methodologies. Although noise pollution has been around for a long time, a high number of people are now exposed since more people live in cities now than in the past (Murphy and King, 2022).

Source: Slabbekoorn, 2019 

According to Figure. 1, the possible consequences of noise pollution on humans and animals in air and water vary depending on the sound level, duration, spectrum, temporal pattern, and distance from the source. The red section indicates what would happen if exposed to the most extreme sound close to the source, demonstrating how noise pollution can produce harmful health effects. While the yellow and light orange sections appear to be less harmful, it has been demonstrated to produce certain behavioural alterations (Slabbekoorn, 2019). 

Furthermore, with reference to Chambers, 2005, while noise can be regarded as any undesired sound, noise characteristics can be thought of as sound characteristics. Sound waves cause considerable changes in the density of the air as they travel through it, resulting in pressure variations (Chambers, 2005). According to Chambers (2005), sound pressure, the incremental variation in pressure above and below atmospheric pressure, is a measure that lends itself to quantification. The decibel (dB) is a dimensionless measure that is used to express the intensity of sound pressure (SPL or Lp). There are many other factors, both inherent to the noise and its surroundings, that influence whether individuals find it bothersome. Frequency content or bandwidth, duration, presence of pure tones or transients, intermittency, time of day, and location are the considerations (or activity). 

(Source: Wang and Pereira (1979); as cited in Chambers, 2005)

These characteristics, however, are subjective in characterising noise pollution. This is because the noise-level scale has an influence on humans at both its high and low ends. For example, at 30 dBA, noise is not perceived as a nuisance, yet at 120 dBA, it can cause physical discomfort to its listeners (Chambers, 2005). The values between the noise level are where people’s susceptibility to it varies.

With reference to Chambers (2005), noise effects include both physiological and nuisance types. In terms of the physiological type, evidence suggests that prolonged and intense noise exposure might cause lasting damage and hearing loss (Chambers, 2005). Noise-induced sleep deprivation impacts people’s moods by increasing stress and irritation. Noise of the irritation variety can interfere with speech comprehension and auditory signal perception, which can impair one’s ability to carry out difficult tasks (Chambers, 2005). As a result, noise lowers our ability to enjoy our surroundings and lowers our quality of life.

In conclusion, with so many K-pop concerts and music festivals happening all over the world, noise and sound are unavoidable. The music that was created for the fans’ enjoyment might become an annoyance and nuisance to others, and its duration and intensity can result in noise pollution.

References:

Chambers, J. P. (2005). Noise Pollution. In L. K. Wang, N. C. Pereira and Y.T, Hung (eds). Advanced Air and Noise Pollution Control. Springer Link. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59259-779-6_12 pp. 441-452.

Murphy, E. and King, E. A. (2022). Environmental Noise Pollution: Noise Mapping, Public Health and Policy. 2nd Edition. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820100-8.00001-4 (Accessed: 28 January 2023)

Slabbekoorn, H. (2019). “Quick Guide Noise Pollution”. Current Biology, R942–R995 29, Elsevier Ltd. Retrieved from: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/S0960-9822(19)30863-2.pdf (Accessed: 28 January 2023)

World Health Organisation. (n.d.). Guidance on environmental noise. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/tools/compendium-on-health-and-environment/environmental-noise (Accessed: 28 January 2023)

Concerts are an essential element of the K-pop industry since they contribute to the globalisation of K-pop. They can help to expand an idol group within and beyond South Korea (Oh, 2013). K-pop concerts are then frequently held around the world via concert tours, and they can often be conducted indoors or outdoors. Of course, the site will be determined by the musical organisers. As concerts consist of loud music being played in a public space, the issue of noise pollution will then arise. Noise pollution is often not a concern with indoor performances because the noise is limited within the location. However, even if the sound is contained, the volume of it might be considered noise pollution.

On the other hand, if the performances are held outside, there appears to be a problem with noise pollution. An example can be seen in the Seoul Park Music Festival (as seen in the images below) which features K-pop idols, and these are held outdoors every year (BEPCA, N.d.). 

Source: BEPCA, n.d.

Environmental noise pollution appears to also be a form of air pollution and, as such, is detrimental to one’s health and well-being. Noise pollution can be defined as any undesired or distracting sound that has an impact on the health and well-being of other living beings (Mohamed, 2021). Varying sounds in the environment can reflect different numerical decibels since sound can be measured in decibels. A thunderclap, for example, has 120 decibels, and sounds with 85 decibels or above can impact and hurt an individual’s ears. Loud concerts such as the Seoul Park Music Festival can reach up to 110 to 120 decibels (Mohamed, 2021). As a result, when K-pop concerts are held all year round, the continuous loudness might have an impact on one’s health and well-being because its loudness goes beyond the stated decibel level that a human can tolerate, and this can thus impact their health.

References:

BEPCA. (n.d.). Seoul Park Music Festival. Retrieved from: http://pmf.co.kr/ (Accessed: 24 January 2023)

Mohamed, M. A. (2021). A Study of Noise pollution and Impact on Human Health. International Journal of Multidisciplinary and Current Research. 9(Nov/Dec). Pp. 610-614. Retrieved from: http://ijmcr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Paper3610-614.pdf (Accessed: 24 January 2023)

Oh, I. (2013). “The Globalization of K-pop: Korea’s Place in the Global Music Industry”. Korea Observer. 44(3), pp. 389-409. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ingyu-Oh/publication/296774877_The_Globalization_of_K-pop_Korea’s_Place_in_the_Global_Music_Industry/links/5827efd908ae950ace6ceb82/The-Globalization-of-K-pop-Koreas-Place-in-the-Global-Music-Industry.pdf (Accessed: 24 January 2023)