K-Pop
A student's 2016 primer on Korean pop: where it came from, why fans love it, and the groups and labels to know.
- K-Pop or Korean Pop is a musical genre originating in South Korea that is characterized by a wide variety of audiovisual elements.
- K-Pop first started gaining popularity in the late 1990’s
- Dance plays a big part in Korean Pop
- In the late 2000s, Korean Pop grew from a musical genre into subculture among teenagers and young adults of East and Southeast Asia.
- Korean Pop is more successful than other Asian countries
- K-Pop isn’t really anything compared to American music
- Koreans sing about innocently falling in love, having a crush, etc.
- Sometimes they’ll have a mention of soju or sexy girls, but nothing to extent of American music.
“I like BTS because all of the members are all unique and they have great voices. I also find them attractive.” Sydney Bailey
Types of music:
- Rhythm and blues
- Jazz
- Folk
- Dance
- Classical
- Rock and Roll
- Synthpop
- Korean Music
- Hip Hop
“I have two favorite K-Pop groups Big Bang and BTS. I like K-Pop because it’s something you don’t see in America. Guys can wear make-up and not be called gay. They are amazing dancers and singers, and they are hella cute!!!!” Mika Cruz
Why You Should Listen To K-Pop
- They collaborate with U.S. artists
- They can sing
- They can dance
- They can sing and dance at the same time
- They have the craziest/best music videos
- They’re all ridiculously attractive
- It’s fun to watch them attempt to speak English
- Mix up your playlist
List of Male Korean Pop Bands:
- BTOB
- BTS
- BIG BANG
- SHINee
- Super JR
- EXO
- 2PM
- B2ST
- Infinite
- B.A.P
- DBSK
- And More
List of Female Korean Pop Bands:
- S.E.S
- Girls Generation
- Fin.K.L
- Wonder Girls
- After School
- 2NE1
- Baby V.O.X
- Brown Eyed Girls
- Jewelry
- Sistar
- And More
South Korea Record Labels:
- A&G Modes
- AOMG
- Areia Creations Global Entertainment
- B2M Entertainment
- Big Hit Entertainment
- Brand New Music
- Brave Entertainment
- Chrome Entertainment
- CJ E&M Music Performance Division
- Cube Entertainment
- DFSB Kollective
- DR Music
- DSP Media
- Fluxus Music
- Good Entertainment
- Happy Face Entertainment
- J. Tune Camp
- J. Tune Entertainment
- Jellyfish Entertainment
- Jungle Entertainment
- JYP Entertainment
- KeyEast
- King Kong Entertainment
- KT Music
- Leaplay Music
- LOEN Entertainment
- Logi Entertainment
- MBK Entertainment
- Music&NEW
- NEGA Network
- NH Media
- Open World Entertainment
- FPull Entertainment
- Pledis Entertainment
- Rainbow Bridge World
- S.M. Entertainment
- Seo Taiji Company
- Star Empire Entertainment
- Stardom Entertainment
- Starship Entertainment
- TOP Media
- TS Entertainment
- Woollim Entertainment
- Yejeon Media
- YG Entertainment
Sources:
- www.youtube.com/channel/UCsEonk9fs_9jmtw9PwER9yg (#KPop, YouTube)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop
- https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Korean-Pop-Music-K-pop-so-universally-popular-throughout-Asia
- http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6032628/top-10-k-pop-girl-groups-korea-sistar-2NE1-girls-generation
- http://www.thetoptens.com/best-male-kpop-bands/
Where BTS went after this list
When this primer ran in February 2016, BTS was one of a dozen boy groups on the list, signed to Big Hit Entertainment, a label that sits in the middle of the long list above. The group had debuted in 2013 with the single album 2 Cool 4 Skool.
Two years later, Love Yourself: Tear became their first number one album on the Billboard 200, in 2018. In 2020 the single “Dynamite” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, their first time at the top of that chart.
On June 14, 2022, the group announced a pause in group activities so the members could complete South Korea’s mandatory military service. Their label, by then called Hybe, said BTS was not breaking up. The last members were discharged between June 10 and June 18, 2025, and all seven appeared together on a Weverse livestream on July 1, 2025.
So the student who wrote that she liked BTS because the members are all unique picked a group that went on to become the best known name in the genre outside Korea.
Questions people ask
What is K-pop?
K-pop is short for Korean pop, popular music from South Korea. It is known for polished music videos, group choreography and large idol groups trained by entertainment companies. The genre grew in East and Southeast Asia in the late 2000s and later found a large audience in the United States and Europe.
When did BTS debut and which label signed them?
BTS debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment with the single album 2 Cool 4 Skool. In 2018 Love Yourself: Tear became their first number one album on the Billboard 200, and in 2020 “Dynamite” became their first number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
