The Aesthetic Characteristics and Trends of Lo-Fi Music : Embracing Imperfection in the Digital Age

This study examines the aesthetic characteristics and reception of Lo-Fi music, a notable trend in popular music within the digital age. Lo-Fi music constructs its unique sonic world around the concept of the aesthetics of imperfection, embracing intentional low fidelity and sonic flaws as aesthetic assets. Rather than merely a stylistic approach, Lo-Fi music functions as a sound culture that engages closely with listeners' daily lives and emotional states, contributing to emotional regulation, concentration, relaxation, studying, and work support. The study first outlines the conceptual and generic characteristics of Lo-Fi music through its theoretical background, and analyzes its production methods and sonic techniques within digital environments. It then explores how Lo-Fi music is received emotionally and culturally, examining the affective practices and social contexts underlying its popularity. In particular, the study highlights how the low-resolution sound of Lo-Fi provides listeners with emotional stability and immersive experiences, distinguishing it from conventional high-fidelity aesthetics. Ultimately, this research views Lo-Fi music not as a minor subgenre, but as a cultural practice that reflects contemporary listening sensibilities and aesthetic shifts in the digital age. It seeks to contribute to the academic discourse on modern music aesthetics and reception culture by situating Lo-Fi within a broader cultural and emotional framework.