Peyton Conner, Indiana University

Kim Jong-in wasn’t always the smooth and suave soloist fans know him as today. He’s gone from being EXO’s beloved main dancer to a successful soloist following his two recent album releases.

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.

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.

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.

Michelle Young, Simon Fraser University

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

Karen Juarez, University of Illinois at Chicago

I mean, have you heard it?