K-pop (Korean pop) is a powerful music industry and cultural phenomenon that arose in South Korea and won global popularity. It is not so much a single style as a synthetic genre that absorbs pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronics, and rock, combining them with impeccably rehearsed choreography and a polished visual image.
The foundation of the industry is the idol group, whose members undergo years of training. Groups such as BTS and BLACKPINK have become world phenomena, gathering billions of views and millions-strong armies of devoted fans. K-pop became the flagship of the so-called “Korean wave” (Hallyu) — the global spread of Korean culture — and a vivid example of how a national pop scene can conquer the whole world through the quality of its product and the skilful use of digital platforms.
