Korean Pop Culture in International Relations – “K-Pop: Where It Came From, Where It’s Going, And Why It Matters”

Psy’s “Gangnam Style” surprised everyone when it became the
biggest Youtube hit ever in 2012. But Korean pop music — along with the rest of
Korean pop culture — has actually been on the rise for years, gaining fans
around Asia, into the Middle East, Europe, South America, and the United
States. While Korea has a rich cultural heritage, the successes of today are a
result of a mix of artistic, business, and technological forces, stripping away
old constraints and empowering creators and audiences like never before. The
rise of K-pop is about much more than just a pop music factory system; it’s
about the future of popular culture.