Emo is a subculture that originated from fans of emotional hardcore, or emocore, a style of punk rock in the 1980s. Emo music is characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics, and uses guitar dynamics that use both the softness and loudness of punk rock music. Emo fashion includes skinny jeans, black eyeliner, tight t-shirts with band names, studded belts, and flat, straight, jet-black hair with long bangs. Since the early to mid-2000s, fans of emo music who dress like this are referred to as "emo kids" or "emos".

Emo is often associated with a specific relationship between fans and artists, as well as certain aspects of fashion, culture, and behavior. Emo kids are often seen as overly sensitive, emotional, and full of angst. The subculture has also been associated with depression, self-injury, and suicide.

To be emo, one needs to understand the origins of emo. Emo stands for "emotive hardcore" and is a subgenre of hardcore punk and post-hardcore that emerged from the Washington, D.C. hardcore punk scene of the mid-1980s. Emo is a subculture that is based around music, emotions, self-expression, and self-exploration.

Emo is often confused with goth and scene fashion, but it has its own unique characteristics. Emo belongs to post-hardcore, pop punk, and indie rock style, while gothic rock is a form of punk rock, glam punk, and post-punk. Emo rockers are culturally critical of society based on punk philosophy, post-punk, and other movements in art, music, literature, etc. .

In summary, emo is a subculture that originated from fans of emocore music in the 1980s. It is characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics, and a specific fashion style that includes skinny jeans, black eyeliner, and jet-black hair with long bangs. Emo kids are often seen as overly sensitive, emotional, and full of angst, and the subculture has been associated with depression, self-injury, and suicide.