Investigating English Code-Switching Frequency in ATEEZ's Korean Pop Songs

Abstract

To attract a global multilingual audience, K-pop has long incorporated English lyrics as a strategic tool. This study analyzes 20 songs by ATEEZ, a prominent fourth-generation K-pop group, focusing on tracks promoted through music videos to examine the phenomenon of code-switching. The analysis applies Poplack’s (1980) code-switching framework alongside word class categorization by Leech, Conrad, and Biber (2002). The findings reveal that intra-sentential code-switching dominates, with interjections representing the most frequent word class. Furthermore, the study highlights that English lyrics are primarily employed for entertainment and marketing purposes, aiming to enhance listener engagement and expand global reach. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of linguistic hybridity in K-pop and the evolving role of English in global music trends.