If you've checked out the video for SHINee's "Ring Ding Dong" since my last post (and I'm sure you have, loyal readers) you'll note that the chorus involves repeated use of the words "fantastic" and "elastic." "Elastic" is used completely nonsensically; I can only assume that those Bards of SHINee started with the word "fantastic" and then consulted a rhyming dictionary while forgoing the use of an actual dictionary.
Now, the improper use of English in a K-Pop song is hardly ground-breaking news. I've never quite understood it . . . if I'm going to use my second language in a song I'm writing, I'm going to make sure I've checked the grammar and meaning. K-Pop Konglish is funny, but the deleterious effect it has on students is no laughing matter. Take, for example, this comment I saw from one of my brighter students about a fellow pupil's online webzine:
"Hello~ Oh~ I think your webzine is so fantastic and elastic!"
I explained to her that I appreciated the "fantastic" comment. However, as the webzine was not written on a rubber band, it was certainly not "elastic."
So please, K-Pop stars, please consult www.m-w.com before corrupting the English of my young charges.
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