The Rise and Rise of K-Pop

Howard, Keith

Abstract

Abstract K-pop, Korean popular music, is a central component in Korea’s cultural exports. It helps brand Korea, and through sponsorships and tie-ups, generates attention for Korea that goes well beyond the music and media industries. This essay traces the history of Korean popular music, from its emergence in the early decades of the twentieth century, through the influence of America on South Korea’s cultural development and the assimilation of genres such as rap, reggae, punk, and hip hop, to the international success of Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ and the idol group BTS. It explores the rise of entertainment companies, how they overcame the digital challenge, and how their use of restrictive contracts created today’s cultural economy. It introduces issues of gender and sexuality, and outlines how music videos and social media have been used to leverage fandom.

Citation

Howard, K. (2021). The Rise and Rise of K-Pop. In S. Krüger Bridge (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Global Popular Music. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190081379.013.22

• Online Publication Date: Jul 14, 2021
• Publication Date: Jul 14, 2021
• Deposit Date: Sep 20, 2022
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Book Title: The Oxford Handbook of Global Popular Music
• ISBN: 9780190081379
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190081379.013.22
• Keywords: K-pop, Korean Wave, entertainment companies, pop idols, fandom, 'Gangnam Style', BTS
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/34725/chapter-abstract/296485624