Peyton Conner, Indiana University

As if the country’s music industry wasn’t competitive enough, members of popular music groups must eventually face the additional challenge of serving in the military.

Peyton Conner, Indiana University

Hallyu has inspired many young scholars to learn more about Korea beyond what is shown on their screens.

Peyton Conner, Indiana University

While the South Korean boy band has made a name for themselves within the genre, they also paved the way for other bands to do the same.

Jenna Nelson, Scripps College

Korean pop groups are everywhere, but they wouldn’t dominate as much as they do without the hard work of the people who design their dance moves.

Lauren Sung, University of Georgia

Korean bands like H.O.T. and BTS have done a lot to normalize ‘soft masculinity,’ but South Korean culture as a whole remains patriarchal and heteronormative.

Karen Lu, Yale University

The Korean indie music genre truly has something for all music enthusiasts, from R&B and hip-hop to rock and alternative.

Karen Lu, Yale University

Although the J-pop group is the biggest idol group in the world, does it have what it takes to be the next big thing?

Alice Han, Pepperdine University

While this collab was by no means expected, ARMY fans everywhere were pleasantly surprised and couldn’t be more proud of their idols.

Mai Khou Vang, Michigan State University

With stunning visuals and catchy lyrics, the Hong Kong rapper, singer and dancer uses his music videos and songs as a way to share his culture with the world.

Mai Khou Vang, Michigan State University

You can always count on the iconic boy group to produce hit after hit, and they don’t appear to be stopping anytime soon with the release of their newest album.

Mai Khou Vang, Michigan State University

In the second Japanese single from the renowned boy band, they tell the story of how hard it can be to let go of the past and look toward the future.

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

The Blackpink singer has conquered the world alongside her fellow girl-group members. Now she is ready to shine on her own and pay homage to her past.

Mai Khou Vang, Michigan State University

Taking a step back from the high energy, girl crush music of Blackpink, the group’s main vocalist reflects on life and love with her debut single album, ‘R.’

Karen Lu, Yale University

The K-pop group presents an image that breaks away from traditional gender norms and propels us into a new era of self-love and acceptance.

Mai Khou Vang, Michigan State University

From Latin pop to house to rock ballads, the singer and her first full-length album refuse to be put in a box.

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

GOT7’s Mark Tuan and Sanjoy team up for the song ‘One In a Million,’ a smooth R&B love song perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend.

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

With plenty of highly anticipated releases and online concerts slated for this year, here are the female artists to keep an ear out for.

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

Overlooked and neglected by their record label, the seven members of the K-pop boy group are now striking out on their own — as a team.

Summer Brotman, University of California, Los Angeles

The K-pop boy band illustrates life in the time of COVID-19 with their newest track.

Sammi Looi, Baruch College

What makes this Korean pop supergroup such a success? It may be the multi-generational cast of experienced singers.

Laura Song, Biola University

These musicians sound a little different from their K-pop counterparts, but the music is just as good.

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

K-pop’s venture into virtual reality may have severe repercussions on the safety and well-being of the performers, as well as foster unhealthy, parasocial relationships with their fanbase.

Sammi Looi, Baruch College

One half of the brother-sister duo AKMU, the musician is spreading a message of positivity with her debut single.

Laura Song, Biola University

In her video ‘Which Celebrity Makes the Best Ramen,’ the Buzzfeed chef tries out a few recipes from famous people who put their own spin on the classic dish.

Megan Stager, University of Pittsburgh

While K-pop remains Korea’s most popular musical export, this indie rock band is forging the way for a few other styles of music to emerge from the country.

Reem Farhat, Fordham University

Fans of Korean idols and idol groups are organizing around the world to crash alt-right Twitter hashtags and boost black activism on YouTube.

Janani Mangai Srinivasan, Wake Forest University

The K-pop group’s loyal fan base, known as the BTS ARMY, has run into some pushback in their quest to pump up views on platforms like YouTube.

Nanda Illahi, Okayama University

With British, Spanish and Korean members, the UK band has people everywhere divided on what it means to be a K-pop group.

Kaelani Ramirez, Arizona State University

These two powerhouses have challenged what it means to be a girl group in South Korea.

Janella Tibbetts, Framingham State University

K-pop and K-dramas might be expanding America’s cultural horizons, but does it come at a price?

Michelle Young, Simon Fraser University

The rich diversity of Korean music isn’t limited to the country’s most popular musical export.

Angel Zhu, University of California, Berkeley

The K-pop star is facing some extreme backlash from a very rabid fanbase.

Angel Zhu, University of California, Berkeley

Social media bullying and the grueling standards of the South Korean pop music industry could have played a part in the star’s untimely passing.

Alicia Owens, Georgia State University

Following K-pop can be overwhelming, so here’s a breakdown of where and how to get the best content.

Sydney Hawkins, Alabama A&M University

It’s time to look behind the scenes of this multibillion-dollar industry.

Ashley Peterson, Geneva College

K-pop’s biggest stars sit down with each other to remind everyone that they’re still normal people.

Ashley Peterson, Geneva College

The song is a perfect introduction to the band’s mobile game and its focus on following your dreams.

Grace John, Rutgers University

K-pop is great, but some variety certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Grace John, Rutgers University

A fierce, multilingual, female rapper? Yes, please.

Grace John, Rutgers University

The k-pop times they are a changin’.

Abby Hall, Hollins University

Just what you need to revive that carefree energy one last time.

Jamie Lovley, University of Maine

Move over machismo, there’s a new type of man in town.

Christine Fang, University of California San Diego

In the group’s newest release, K-pop meets Latin flair meets fiery vocals.

Abby Hall, Hollins University

If she can’t make it big, K-pop might be in trouble.

Christine Fang, University of California San Diego

The release lives up to its name, offering listeners a side of the South Korean singer they’ve never seen before.

Christine Fang, University of California San Diego

It’s simp o’clock somewhere…

Abraham Ramirez, University of California, Los Angeles

K-pop is on a level that American pop doesn’t even know about.

Michele Mendez, Temple University

Fans point to the song’s parallels to the Greek myth of Narcissus, in which a self-obsessed protagonist commits suicide.

Jade Hookham, UC San Diego

BTS’s unique use of social media has fostered the growth of a multi-language fan base like nothing that has been seen before.

Michele Mendez, Temple University

‘Despacito,’ aka the prime of 2017 pop culture, has inspired a revolution of bilingual collaborations.

Michele Mendez, Temple University

‘Burn the Stage’ shows the good, the bad and the ugly of the K-pop industry.

Michele Mendez, Temple University

In his ‘Hope World’ mixtape, J-Hope tells a compelling story of his rise to fame and success, which came with responsibilities he did not foresee.

Michele Mendez, Temple University

K-Pop fans from around the world are excited to witness Exo and CL perform live at the close of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Jade Hookham, UC San Diego

By coming out to the public as a gay artist, Holland head-butts the restrictive social conventions of Korea regarding homosexuality to send a message of hope and acceptance.

Joiya Reid, Georgia Southern University

The death of SHINee’s lead singer, Kim Jong-hyun, reveals where society can improve in terms of addressing depression and mental illness.

Terrica Singletary, Southern New Hampshire University

The seven-member, K-pop boy band recently shocked the world with their upset win at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards.

Karen Juarez, University of Illinois at Chicago

I mean, have you heard it?