TRADITIONAL “NEW VOICE”: Q-POP IN THE CULTURAL DYNAMICS OF CONTEMPORARY KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

This article analyzes the phenomenon of Q-POP in the context of cultural dynamics in contemporary Kazakhstan and the processes of post-Soviet nation-building. The novelty lies in identifying Q-POP as a complex space for symbolic negotiation and "cultural resistance," where new models of Kazakhstani national identity are formed through the interaction of state institutions, youth practices, and the tension between traditional and global values. The research task is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the historical preconditions, institutionalization mechanisms, and hybrid nature of Q-POP as a form of glocalization, while examining youth cultural resistance practices and the genre's role in Kazakhstan’s nation-building transformation.
The aim of the study is to understand Q-POP as a socio-cultural phenomenon and to determine its role in the formation of modern Kazakhstani identity. The work analyzes the mechanisms of cultural hybridization, the peculiarities of the institutionalization of the genre, the forms of symbolic autonomy of youth, and the specifics of linguistic and visual representation.
The methodological basis of the study consists of approaches to cultural studies and the theory of glocalization. The empirical base includes discourse analysis of official and media materials, content analysis of music lyrics and clips, as well as a comparison of Q-POP with the Korean model K-POP.
The results show that Q-POP is not only a reflection of sociocultural changes but also an active participant in the processes of redefining national identity. Combining global industrial forms with local cultural codes, the genre demonstrates the complex dynamics of interaction between institutional strategies and youth initiatives, which gives the study practical significance in the context of Kazakhstan's cultural policy.