ANALYZING EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT IN ENGLISH K‑POP LYRICS: A READER‑RESPONSE STUDY OF “WASTE IT ON ME”

Abstract

This study analyzes the process of emotional engagement in the English-language K-pop song “Waste It on Me,” created by Steve Aoki featuring BTS, from the perspective of Reader-Response Theory. The study was carried out using qualitative literary analysis, in which selected lyric lines were analyzed for literary devices such as repetition, metaphor, and imagery. The results show that artists can use repetition as an emotional trigger to make songs more memorable. Metaphors convey vulnerability and relational meanings. Imagery is used as another literary device to help listeners understand and visualize emotions expressed in songs. The study also demonstrates that meaning is constructed through the interaction between the song and the listener, as individuals connect with the lyrics through their personal experiences. The results indicate that English-language K-pop song lyrics have strong potential to be considered literary texts.