Depends on your opinion and taste of music. Kpop contains vast range of genres, graphics, etc. Jpop contains some cute or rock elements. There is a difference in both and the comparison is really hard. Depends on people's perspective and taste. I love both
like yayolnihongo said, it depends on your personal preference. personally I prefer k-pop (go listen to stray kids (they're a K-pop group (only if you want to but I recommend listening to them)))
No, but I feel K-pop is instantly accessible (for non-Asians) whereas J-pop is more of an acquired taste.
I think about the difference a lot, because I like both. AFAIK K-pop started off as an excellent, straight-up imitation of 90's Western pop music. OTOH J-pop evolved over a longer period, influenced by Western music in the 70s, especially folk and jazz, as well as by their own traditional songs and instruments, and it developed a unique sound. If you want to understand at least partly why it has that different sound, watch this 10-minute video:
In general K-pop singers IMO are superior (possibly because of the particular way they are talent-scouted and then intensively trained.) J-pop singers (to my ear) often have surprisingly average voices. Japanese seem to be quite tolerant of young pop singers without a high level of talent and are happy to give them a go, as long as they are, above all, CUTE! (I read somewhere that the J-pop idol impresario Johnny Kitagawa claimed he could turn any guy he chose, regardless of singing ability, into the biggest popstar in Japan.) The popularity of the idol is at least as important as the quality of the music.
Another difference, I think, is that Japanese pop songs are designed to earn their keep in various applications. They're often written originally to be anime or drama themes or for tv commercials or sporting events. Also the songs that are easy for everybody to sing will make money down the track in karaoke.
Finally K-pop has always been a state-sponsored industry made with the aim of exporting it, so it has to be palatable internationally. OTOH, J-pop is made for their own consumption and they don't typically care if anyone else likes it or not.
I think they’re both great! They can be very different though so it depends on the listener as others said. I honestly tend to lean more towards K-pop though because there’s so much online promoting it. With K-pop I think the companies do a very good job of making the fans feel like they’re connecting more with their idols. I feel like with jpop, idols and groups aren’t really marketed towards foreigners at least, so for me its harder to find good content without looking hard.
It does depend on everyone's personal opinions and music taste..
But where I absolutely despise K-pop I love J-pop. Can't seem to grasp any of the hype or obsessions with K-pop music. All I see is an hyper-active, addicted, zombified fan base (to supposebly *plastic surgery* beautiful/cutesy extremely high standard indrutry pop idols??).
People like different things and have different preferences, so the question Is Kpop better than Jpop can't necessarily be answered with a factual non-opiniated reponse that will suit everyone's taste.
I can enjoy some Kpop songs from a casual listener standpoint, but all the drama just deters me from investing in the bands any further. I have never been the type to idolize musicians or feel invested in them beyond simply enjoying their music, though. I don't know if Jpop has the same controversies as Kpop, but I feel the same about both genres (and Pop music as a whole.)
