How it Started
I"m a stan, pure and simple. Some friends and I embarked on a journey into the incredible realm of K-pop a few years ago after seeing BTS perform at the Grammy's. What began as sheer pleasure from the music, the uplifting videos, and the bands quickly transformed into a full-blown love affair with the entire culture. The infectious positivity of the K-pop scene captivated us, and we soon found ourselves collecting albums and trading treasures with fellow enthusiasts from every corner of the globe.
...and then came the PLUS
Amidst the fun of K-pop, we also stumbled upon something extraordinary – the PLUS. K-Pop became a source of strength during our most challenging times. K-Pop teaches us the art of self-love, inspiring us to embrace our true selves. The music is often our hopeful companion that carries us through difficult moments. It's incredibly positive (++++) when life can't always be.
The creative merch and trading component of K-Pop has huge benefits too. Creating artistic merch and trading packages is practically a form of chill meditation while keeping our minds optimistic. And we build community as a support system that lifts us higher, keeps us reaching out to make human connections that transcend a social boundaries.
My background and influences
My love of music (playing piano, listening to k-pop and beyond) and my love of art has always helped me find balance and happiness. Then the 2020 pandemic occurred during my critical development, "tween" years. It was such a difficult combination of social isolation, while the world was confronting social inequities and the planet's biological fate. I needed strength! And this is what sparked a fascination with well-being science. I devoured psychology through books, classes, and workshops. I've since pursued internships and even my own independent research on music and stress. I recently was elected to be school Wellness Leader. I'm an amateur and a bit of an introvert, but the world of well-being is kind of amazing and I think it's worth sharing in case it can benefit others.
There are two major fields in psychology that majorly influence what's happening on K-popPlus.org. One is neuroaesthetics (engaging with art and its impact on the brain, cognition, mood, and well-being.) My favorite book on this is Your Brain on Art, written by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross. I learned art and music stimulates creativity, calms stress reactions, and it improves empathy, memory and overall quality of life. This is why throughout the site, you'll find articles about enjoying or making art, or about the role of music in our lives.
The second is the school of positive psychology (cultivating joy with gratitude and generosity). I took an online class by Yale Professor Dr. Laurie Santos on "The Science of Well-being for Teens" when I was dealing with my own personal funk. Then I dug into some work by Dr. Martin Seligman (known as the father of the positive psych movement). I've since learned about how giving, whether through acts of kindness or charitable contributions, triggers the release of positive brain transmitters, fosters social connections, and provides a sense of purpose -- all of which leads to reduced stress and just better life satisfaction. This positive feedback loop, often referred to as the "helper's high," creates a continuous cycle of happiness and gratitude, emphasizing the profound psychological impact of giving on overall well-being.
I try to incorporate all I'm learning on emotional and mental well-being. But I am not a doctor! So insights shared here often come from other qualified sources (cited). One of the best sources on well-being is the Jed Foundation (JED). This US nonprofit is focused on mental health and "equips teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other."
This site also foster happiness through the contagious "helper's high" – you can feel good knowing when you buy through our links because we donate ALL affiliate commissions to the Jed Foundation. 🌟💖
So K-popPLus.org celebrates the art and generosity of K-pop while giving back to the community through donations to nonprofits designed to support mental health.
K-PopPlus.org is where the melody of shared happiness meets the rhythm of positivity.