The Industry of K-POP

[Nelson Ta]

Like the British invasion of the 1960s, there seems to be a worldwide takeover of Korean Pop music and dramas within the past decade. Just thinking back to 5-6 years ago where the biggest song in the world was "Gangnam Style", it is apparent that South Korea has ingrained itself into the world culture. While I enjoyed much Professor Jung-Kim's lecture, I did wish she touched more on the industry of K-Pop as it seems to be a deliberate industry rather than an organic development. While I do understand worldwide sensations like Backstreet Boys in the 90s and One Direction a few years back were built in the same fashion, all accounts of the Korean Pop industry that I have heard about illustrates an indentured servitude rather than the type of celebrity held by western musicians. I wanted just a bit more about the development of the music industry and the impact it has had on the youth culture.