K-Pop is more than just music – it is an industry that is dominating the music world. With passionate fans worldwide, unique and impeccable dance moves, and widely adored boy and girl bands, this genre is catching the attention of media around the globe.

So, only one question really remains: Have you heard of it?

K-Pop, a.k.a. Korean Pop, is a music genre that originated in South Korea and no, it does not focus only on the “pop” genre. In fact, K-Pop is praised for its exploration of pop, rock, hip-hop, electro pop, dance, electronic, rap, pop ballad, disco, and R&B music.
It is now a significant part of the 21st Century “Korean Wave” – which is defined by Lara Farrar of CNN as the transfer of South Korean culture and “entertainment that has swept across the shores of almost every single country in the region, even increasingly beyond.” Another source, “K-Pop: A New Force in Pop Music,” notes that this music genre traces its roots as far back as the late 1800s, where it was influenced by American and British folk songs.

With this kind of history, it is no wonder K-Pop soared to popularity in the late 1990s and now defines today’s world with its cool, audiovisual elements.

Some notable stars that lead the industry include boy bands such as Super Junior, Big Bang, SHINee, B.A.P, and CNBLUE. The girl bands that lead the industry include Girls’ Generation/SNSD, 2NE1, Wonder Girls, SISTAR, and miss A. There are also solo artists in the genre such as PSY, Rain, G-Dragon, Jay Park, and Ailee. These beautiful faces of K-Pop are loved by their zealous fans and are responsible for the transfer of Korean popular music to the rest of the world.

Many of these superstars have expressed their enjoyment of western pop music and enjoy the music of artists ranging from Drake to Coldplay to The Beatles – a sure representation of the various music genres that make up K-Pop music.
After the 2012 dance craze that came along with PSY’s “Gangnam Style,” which swept nations, the door to the international public getting to know Korean Pop Music opened. Some other songs you may recognize include “Gentleman” by PSY, “Sorry, Sorry,” “Bonamana,” and “Mr. Simple” by Super Junior, “Gee” and “The Boys” by SNSD, “Ring Ding Dong” and “Lucifer” by SHINee, “Fantastic Baby,” “and “Bad Boy” by Big Bang, “Fiction” by Beast, “MAMA” and “Growl” by EXO, “Roly-Poly” by T-ara, “Nobody” by Wonder Girls, and more.

With the help of YouTube and other social-media outlets, fans everywhere are able to listen to this music and watch suave K-Pop music videos. These videos attract viewers through their dramatic sound, color, lighting, and camera features as well as complex dance moves that push the envelope.

So, whether you’re a fan of K-pop or not, open your heart to the music and listen up — because this a genre that is here to stay.