K-Pop 101

Hi there!
For my first post, I'd like to start with a quick K-Pop 101.

K-Pop isn't just pop music and artists dancing around in circles like *NSYNC in the late 90's, which is what people first think of. It takes genre fusion to a new level while combining elements of rock, pop, electronic music, hip-hop, and R&B. There is literally something for everyone to enjoy. With the recent success of PSY's "Gangnam Style" in the U.S., we can see that the Korean Wave is crashing down all over the world and not just Asia. It's recent record-breaking views on YouTube has opened doors for other K-Pop artists.  And there are many artists waiting to run through that door.

But, K-Pop is also a subculture and brings the concept of Hallyu a.k.a. the Korean Wave. The Korean Wave started in the 90's and is basically the growing popularity of Korean entertainment and culture.  The "culture" of K-Pop brings fans together and gives K-Pop more value than looking at it as just another music genre. All tied up into K-Pop are different dramas, television shows, and movies. There are terms that a new listener of K-Pop might not understand at first and I can explain those in another post.  The interaction between fans, especially international fans, has helped bring K-Pop outside of Korea. All of this helps make up this subculture.

As K-Pop continues to grow, I will be following along and informing everyone of what's happening right here on this blog! So hold onto your seat, the ride is just beginning!