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Welcome to Kpop Wiki

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Welcome!

Annyeong-haseyo~~ Welcome to K-pop wiki. Here we will talk about what is K-pop (Korean Pop). K-pop is a musical genre originating in South Korea that is characterized by a wide variety of audiovisual elements. Although it comprises all genres of "popular music" within South Korea, the term is more often used in a narrower sense to describe a modern form of South Korean pop music covering mostly dance-pop, pop ballad, electronic, rock, hip-hop, R&B, etc.

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+<div style="text-align:center;"><br /><big>'''Welcome to {{SITENAME}}'''</big></div>
-=='''K-POP Wiki'''==
+<div style="text-align:center;">This wiki has [[Special:Statistics|<span style="color: blue; font-size: 100%;">'''{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}'''</span>]] articles.</div>
-'''''Annyeong-haseyo~~'' Welcome to K-pop wiki. Here we will talk about what is K-pop (Korean Pop). K-pop is a musical genre originating in South Korea that is characterized by a wide variety of audiovisual elements. Although it comprises all genres of "popular music" within South Korea, the term is more often used in a narrower sense to describe a modern form of South Korean pop music covering mostly dance-pop, pop ballad, electronic, rock, hip-hop, R&B, etc.'''
+{{Heading A|Welcome!}}
-=='''Characteristics'''==
+''Annyeong-haseyo~~'' Welcome to K-pop wiki. Here we will talk about what is K-pop (Korean Pop). K-pop is a musical genre originating in South Korea that is characterized by a wide variety of audiovisual elements. Although it comprises all genres of "popular music" within South Korea, the term is more often used in a narrower sense to describe a modern form of South Korean pop music covering mostly dance-pop, pop ballad, electronic, rock, hip-hop, R&B, etc.'''<nowiki/>'''
-==='''Hybrid and Transnational Values'''===
-According to a ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stone Rolling Stone]'' author, K-Pop is "a mixture of trendy Western music and high-energy Japanese pop (J-Pop) (True and not true for kpop is its own thing), which preys on listeners' heads with repeated hooks, sometimes in English. It embraces genre fusion with both singing and rap, and emphasizes performance and strong visuals". It is a mix of genres like pop, rock, hip hop, R&B and electronic music. K-pop can be described as a globalized music; as it is a mixture of Western and European sounds with an Asian flavor of performance. The way these Korean singers perform their songs with synchronized dance moves and complex gestures has increased the popularity of K-pop. It now takes a big place in the music market throughout Asia and the world. As a Chinese Kpop fan describe it : "Korean pop culture skillfully blends Western and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_values Asian values] to create its own, and the country itself is viewed as a prominent model to follow or catch up, both culturally and economically". In this article, the author Doobo Shim add that even if cultural proximity plays a big role in the popularity of Kpop in Asia, that is not enough. For him, this is that 'vision of modernization' inherent to the Korean pop culture that plays a part in making it acceptable.
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-Also according to Eun-Young Jung, Kpop transnational and hybrid values are responsible of its success. Nevertheless, even though those concepts are still debated, he argues that values in Kpop are not only western or Korean. Indeed, according to how transnationality process developed, Kpop isn't simply some Japanese and US values that has been mixed to match a marketing process. The cultural imperialism of Japanese and US societies deeply changed the Korean popular values, at multiple levels and inversely the rise of the Korean popular culture start to influence others countries values. He says "Contemporary Korean pop culture is built on such unavoidable transnational flows, as its multi-layered and multi-directional mobility has been creating various socio-cultural contacts taking place across, beyond, and outside national and institutional boundaries." He conclude that Kpop is not only a side genre who try to survive next to the mainstream US pop, but that contemporary phenomenon are much more complex. He thinks that thanks to the development of the digital technologies ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_revolution Digital revolution]) and to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization globalization], consumers of twenty-first-century pop culture now have the choice between many cultural products from all over the world.
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-K-pop music has become diversified into many different genres. Some K-pop musicians offer songs with the mixture of the tunes from the West, such as country music. The combination of Asian singers singing Western and European style music contributes to the unique features of K-pop and making it more global.
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-==='''The Concept of Global Entertainment'''===
-"As the global [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_market music market] shifts from a tangible product to a digital one, the very nature of what the industries sells is changing. With so much content instantly accessible across the world, they succeed not by selling music but by selling sensations, a product that ratherly crosses languages and cultural barriers." The concept of global entertainment aim to provide sensations rather than only music, by complete products and performances : music, dance, fashion, shows, TV appearance, acting... For the Korean cultural industry, trainee system is an important part of the global entertainment, it was called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_technology cultural technology] by the founder of SM Entertainment. It doesn't allow mistakes and program the rookies to become multi-talent stars.
-The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC BBC] describes the K-pop group singers [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Girls Wonder Girls] as "highly produced, sugary boy- and girl-bands with slick dance routines and catchy tunes." K-pop is also recognized for pretty-boys and girl groups<sup> </sup>that are young and considered attractive<sup>.</sup>
-More than 60 boy and girl bands are produced each year in Korea, making way of labeling K-pop as a "star factory". Many of these bands disappear after a few hits. K-pop is a fast paced and high-competition industry, according to the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_Times Korea Times]'' it produces easily consumable and disposable one-time hit songs that the audience downloads and then deletes. The majority of K-pop songs spend only a short time on music charts and it is rare for a hit to lead the charts for several weeks.The basic format is usually built upon a catchy chorus part and a spectacular, easy-to-master dance to accompany the song – like "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorry,_Sorry Sorry, Sorry]" from Super Junior, "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gee_%28Girls%27_Generation_song%29 Gee]" from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation] or "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abracadabra_%28Brown_Eyed_Girls_song%29 Abracadabra]" from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Eyed_Girls Brown Eyed Girls]. The songs are marketed for one or two months and then are usually forgotten as new ones take their place. Singer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insooni Insooni] complained that "the songs that we sang back in the day are still sung today. But music these days – people perform for three months than stop. Fans have lost a sense of responsibility."
-Visual experience is an integrated part of K-pop, which comprises the artist's physical appearance and clothing as well as the sophisticated visuals of concerts and music videos. K-pop videos are often vivid, colourful, strident, extravagant and compared to traditional pop videos can even be shocking or incomprehensible.
-There are instances of foreign songwriters and producers composing songs for Korean performers, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will.i.am will.i.am], Sean Garrett, and American-raised [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Park Teddy Park]. Musicians who have collaborated with various [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-Pop_idol K-Pop idols] include many notable recording artists from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American African American] hip hop community, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akon Akon], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanye_West Kanye West], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludacris Ludacris], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg Snoop Dogg] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will.i.am will.i.am]. It is not uncommon for K-pop songs to be composed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songwriter songwriters] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway Norway] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden Sweden]. As a music executive told ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal The Wall Street Journal]'', South Korean music labels want "a mix of U.S. beats but with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavia Scandinavian] songwriting style."
-In recent years, K-pop has been overwhelmingly dominated by new generation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korean_idol idol bands] and the expansion of genre is almost entirely driven by the Internet. As traditional [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_recording_and_reproduction media records] are losing popularity among consumers, the significance of digital records has risen. In order to capture the audience's attention in a shorter period of time, K-pop record labels generally prefer releasing and distributing shortened [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_play EP] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_%28music%29 single] formats (as compared to full length albums). This has led to the widespread use of so-called 'hooks', which refers to catchy choruses that is easy to memorize.
-==='''Marketing'''===
-The promotional activities of a K-pop artist involve the so-called "'''comeback'''", called as such even when the musician or group in question did not go on hiatus.
-In order to make their new albums known to the public, K-pop artists participate in various promotional activities, such as appearing and performing on national television. Popular television programs in which bands and musicians usually make their comeback include the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Broadcasting_System Korean Broadcasting System]'s ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Bank_%28TV_series%29 Music Bank]'', the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul_Broadcasting_System Seoul Broadcasting System]'s ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Music_Trend The Music Trend]'', and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munhwa_Broadcasting_Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation]'s ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show%21_Music_Core Show! Music Core]''. The first performance by a K-Pop artist on a music program specifically for the promotion of their new album or single is also known as the "comeback" stage. In addition to stage performances, teaser images and video clips are commonly released to the public as part of a "comeback". These are released one after another, often within the space of a few days before the full release. Rookie artists start out with a "debut stage" and their second promotional cycle will be called a "comeback."
-==='''Dance'''===
-Dance is an integral part of K-pop. When combining multiple singers, the singers often switch their positions while singing and dancing by making prompt movements in synchrony. Since the debut of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seo_Taiji_%26_Boys Seo Taiji & Boys], multiple singers began to switch their positions while singing and dancing, a strategy called "formation changing" ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_language Korean]: 자리 바꿈, Jari ba'ggum)<sup> </sup>and a turning point for the establishment of K-pop choreography (Korean: 안무, Anmu).
-The K-pop choreography often includes the so-called "point dance, "(Korean: 포인트 댄스) referring to a dance made up of hooking and repetitive movements within the choreography. The key movements standing out and being easily remembered are supposed to match the characteristics of the lyrics of the song. "Point dance" in a song has almost become a stereotype of K-Pops as shown in the success of the key movements like rubbing hands together side to side as a Korean hand gesture for apology in “Sorry Sorry” from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior].
-To choreograph a dance for a song requires the writers to take the tempo into account. A fan's ability to do the same steps must also be considered: "The Korean people really want their fans to be in the music as well. That's why as choreographers we have to simplify movements," according to Ellen Kim, a Los Angeles dancer and choreographer.
-==='''Fashion'''===
-See also: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_in_South_Korea Fashion in South Korea] K-pop also influences fashion, especially in Asia, where clothes and accessories worn by K-pop stars, as well as their hairstyles and the cosmetic brands they use are sought after by young listeners. Fashion brands release copies of clothing worn by idols. Some [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korean_idol K-pop idols] including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-Dragon G-Dragon] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang_%28South_Korean_band%29 Big Bang] have established themselves as a fashion icon by attracting the attention of Western fashion designers, most notably [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Scott Jeremy Scott], who expressed his interest in working with singer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CL_%28singer%29 CL] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2NE1 2NE1].
-In January 2012, Korean artists held a fashion show in Japan, which was attended by 33,000 people.<sup> </sup>In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand Thailand] authorities worry over the fashion items popularized by Korean pop, as Thai teenagers are willing to wear items unfit for local weather conditions (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leggings leggings]) and also use skin whitening products to look like Korean celebrities.
-=='''K-pop as an industry'''==
-==='''Agencies'''===
-A billboard for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMTown_Live_%2710_World_Tour SMTown Live '10 World Tour] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square Times Square], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreatown,_Manhattan Manhattan].The three biggest agencies in terms of revenue are [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M._Entertainment S.M. Entertainment], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YG_Entertainment YG Entertainment] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JYP_Entertainment JYP Entertainment], often referred to as the "Big Three", whose stocks are traded at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_Exchange Korea Exchange]. In K-pop these [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_label record labels] also function as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talent_agent agencies] for the artists. They started operating as such at the beginning of the 2000s. They are responsible for recruiting, financing, training, marketing and publishing new artists as well as managing their activities and public relations.
-In terms of market share the biggest agency is S.M. Entertainment. Their artists started the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallyu Hallyu] wave in K-pop and managed to break into Japan. The "Big Three" occasionally cooperate, for example [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_%28Korean_singer%29 Se7en], managed by YG Entertainment received a song from JYP Entertainment founder [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Jin-young Park Jin-young] in 2012 and the representatives of the three agencies judged at the SBS reality talent show "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop_Star K-pop Star]". The "Big Three", together with Star J Entertainment, AM Entertainment and Key East founded the United Asia Management (UAM), which aims to spread K-pop globally as well as facilitate the development of better artist recruitment and management processes.UAM auditions are global and not restricted to Korean talents. Besides musicians, UAM also manages actors, directors, stylists, hair and make-up artists. The merge was highly criticised as it might put pressure on content providers as well as further pressurize other Asian countries, like the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandopop Chinese market], which is unable to respond to and compete with the mass production of Korean entertainment companies.
-In 2009, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DFSB_Kollective DFSB Kollective] became the first distributor of K-pop songs on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes iTunes]. The recent overseas expansion by K-pop music agencies has led to significant increases in profit and total revenue.
-Logo of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JYP_Entertainment JYP Entertainment]
-{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
-|+Total revenues of K-pop record labels (in USD million)
-|-
-!Year of
-establishment
-!Record label
-!2008
-!2010
-!2011
-!2012
-!Source
-|-
-|1995
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M._Entertainment S.M. Entertainment]
-|42.5
-|87.1
-|129
-|217
-|<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-smbillion_157-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-smbillion-157 [156]]</sup>
-|-
-|1996
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YG_Entertainment YG Entertainment]
-|
-|51.8
-|70.3
-|96.9
-|<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-158">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-158 [157]]</sup>
-|-
-|1997
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JYP_Entertainment JYP Entertainment]
-|3.1
-|9.1
-|17.8
-|13.5
-|
-<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-159">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-159 [158]]</sup>
-|}
-==='''Sales and market value'''===
-The Korean music industry grossed nearly $3.4 billion in the first half of 2012, which amounts to a 27.8% increase from the same period last year, according to ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_%28magazine%29 Billboard]''.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-billboardrevenue_6-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-billboardrevenue-6  ]</sup>Before the digital market took hold, the South Korean music industry was nearly destroyed in the early 2000s by the large amount of illegal file sharing, a problem threatening other countries at the time as well. In 2006, however, South Korea's digital music market surpassed the physical market,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-160"></sup> with more than half of revenue coming from digital sales.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Digital_Music_Report_2012_161-0"></sup>K-pop's social media presence on Korean and English websites such as Facebook and YouTube have also had a major impact on the size of its global market.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-162"></sup> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viki_%28website%29 Viki], the video and music streaming website, has influenced global K-pop trends by providing translated subtitles for music videos.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-163"></sup>
-In 2011, 1,100 albums were released in South Korea. The hip-hop genre had the most among them at two-thirds of the total albums.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-.EC.BC.80.EC.9D.B4.ED.8C.9D.EC.97.90_.EC.99.9C_.EC.97.B4.EA.B4.91.ED.95.98.EC.A7.80.3F.E2.80.A6.EC.BC.80.EC.9D.B4.ED.8C.9D.EC.9D.98_.EB.91.90_.EC.96.BC.EA.B5.B4_164-0"></sup>One-third of the albums were from other genres, including rock, modern folk, and crossover.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-.EC.BC.80.EC.9D.B4.ED.8C.9D.EC.97.90_.EC.99.9C_.EC.97.B4.EA.B4.91.ED.95.98.EC.A7.80.3F.E2.80.A6.EC.BC.80.EC.9D.B4.ED.8C.9D.EC.9D.98_.EB.91.90_.EC.96.BC.EA.B5.B4_164-1"></sup> This shows that there is a variety of genres in South Korea outside of what is produced by K-pop idols.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-.EC.BC.80.EC.9D.B4.ED.8C.9D.EC.97.90_.EC.99.9C_.EC.97.B4.EA.B4.91.ED.95.98.EC.A7.80.3F.E2.80.A6.EC.BC.80.EC.9D.B4.ED.8C.9D.EC.9D.98_.EB.91.90_.EC.96.BC.EA.B5.B4_164-2"></sup> Illegal downloads have pushed down prices significantly. In 2012, the average cost of obtaining a K-pop song in South Korea amounted to US$0.10 for a single download, or $0.002 when streamed online.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-165"></sup>
-K-pop is more than music or pop culture, but it is a new type of business model. It especially makes tourism work in a global scale. Fans from all over the world are coming to South Korea for tours and this has contributed positively to the total sales and market value of K-pop. Hence, according to Mfrascog, K-pop is "a model used to drive geographical interest and spawn tourism."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-166"></sup>
-{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin:10px"
-! colspan="3"|K-pop (in Korea) global music market rank
-|-
-!Year
-!Physical*
-!Digital
-|-
-|2005
-| align="center"|27<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RIAJ_Yearbook_2007_167-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-RIAJ_Yearbook_2007-167 [166]]</sup>
-|
-|-
-|2006
-| style="text-align:center;"|27<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RIAJ_Yearbook_2008_168-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-RIAJ_Yearbook_2008-168 [167]]</sup>
-|
-|-
-|2007
-| align="center"|32<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RIAJ_Yearbook_2009_169-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-RIAJ_Yearbook_2009-169 [168]]</sup>
-| align="center"|23<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Digital_Music_Report_2012_161-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-Digital_Music_Report_2012-161 [160]]</sup>
-|-
-|2008
-| align="center"|24<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RIAJ_Yearbook_2010_170-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-RIAJ_Yearbook_2010-170 [169]]</sup>
-|
-|-
-|2009
-| align="center"|24<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RIAJ_Yearbook_2011_171-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-RIAJ_Yearbook_2011-171 [170]]</sup>
-| align="center"|14<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Digital_Music_Report_2012_161-2">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-Digital_Music_Report_2012-161 [160]]</sup>
-|-
-|2010
-| align="center"|21<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RIAJ_Yearbook_2012_172-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-RIAJ_Yearbook_2012-172 [171]]</sup>
-|
-|-
-|2011
-| align="center"|11<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RIAJ_Yearbook_2008_168-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-RIAJ_Yearbook_2008-168 [167]]</sup>
-| align="center"|11<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Digital_Music_Report_2012_161-3">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-Digital_Music_Report_2012-161 [160]]</sup>
-|-
-|2012
-| align="center"|11<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RIAJ_Yearbook_2008_168-2">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-RIAJ_Yearbook_2008-168 [167]]</sup>
-| align="center"|8<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-grammy_173-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-grammy-173 [172]]</sup>
-|-
-| colspan="3"|* includes albums, singles and DVDs sold
-|}
-==='''Trainee system'''===
-See also: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_contract Slave contracts][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_technology Cultural technology], or CT, is a concept popularized by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Soo-man Lee Soo-man], founder of the South Korean music label and talent agency [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M._Entertainment S.M. Entertainment].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-174"></sup> It is a 3-step process of exporting K-pop overseas as part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_wave Korean wave] and consist of a tightly controlled training system. Joseph L. Flatley from the American news network ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Verge The Verge]'' described it as one of the most "extreme" systems of pre-packaging K-pop bands,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-175"></sup> which are owned by a handful of entertainment agencies.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-aljazeera1_176-0"></sup> The three steps to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_technology Cultural technology] described by Lee Soo-man consists of the following: (1) exporting cultural products; such as placing Korean singers in different countries, (2) creating international collaborations and (3) globalizing the product by cooperating with musicians from different countries to create a global brand. Lee's CT method makes the singers to have different images and styles depending on the nation that they perform in, thus allowing to target the specific audiences in the right way.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-177"></sup>
-South Korean entertainment companies such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M._Entertainment S.M. Entertainment] have created a process to train singers and dancers in its groups. The journey to stardom often starts around age 9 or 10, when tightly supervised trainees begin dance and voice classes at night and live together while attending school.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-178">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-178  ]</sup>Besides singing and dancing trainees are also taught foreign languages, most notably English, Japanese and Chinese.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-179"></sup> According to the CEO of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Music_Group Universal Music]'s Southeast Asian branch, the Korean idol trainee system is unique in the world.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-newforce39_150-3"></sup>
-To guarantee the high probability of success of new talent, talent agencies fully subsidize and oversee the professional lives and careers of trainees, often spending in excess of $400,000 to train and launch a new artist.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-180"></sup>
-=='''K-pop culture'''==
-==='''Basic Notions and Conventions'''===
-See also: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop_idol K-pop idol]
-K-pop uses a set of genre specific expressions. These include traditional [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_honorifics Korean honorifics], used by both idols and fans. Besides this traditional social system, K-pop adds its own subculture. As much as age is important, the debut date and popularity of the artist also matters. Younger artists or those who debuted later are called ''hoobae'' (후배) and they must greet the older and earlier debuted colleagues (선배, ''sunbae'', "senior") with an ''insa'' (인사), the traditional deep bow. Failing to do this have met with strong criticism from the industry and the fans alike.
-Boy and girl groups in Korea are referred to as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korean_idol idols] or idol bands. Idol bands have a strict hierarchy. Every band has a leader, chosen by either the members or the managing company based on age, personality and leadership qualities. The leader is a representative of the band as well as responsible for group harmony. The youngest band member is called ''maknae'' (막내), which is a special position as it is traditionally regarded that the cuter the maknae the more potential a band has in terms of popularity. Idols are recruited and trained in a trainee system regarded as exceptional in the pop industry.
-The Korean pop industry involves the so-called ''fan service'', which is largely based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromance bromance] of a non-sexual nature between band members of male idol groups. Fans pair their favourites into "OTPs" (one true pairing), who in turn reinforce the pairs by acting cute and brotherly with each other on television. The names of such bromantic pairs are contracted from the original stage names of the members, for example the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-Dragon G-Dragon]–[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seungri Seungri] OTP is commonly referred to as "GRi". OTP pairs are called "ships", from the English term "relationship", and fans of these "ships" are called "shippers".
-==='''Frequently used expressions'''===
-{| class="wikitable"
-! colspan="3"|Addressing others
-|-
-!Korean
-!Romanized
-!Explanation
-|-
-|오빠
-|oppa
-|woman's elder brother; Korean women call older male family members and friends as well as their lovers this way. Fans commonly refer to male idols as "oppa".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-oppa-hyung_190-0"></sup>
-|-
-|형
-|hyung
-|man's elder brother; Korean men call older male family members and friends this way. Younger members of idol groups call the older members "hyung" as well. Failing to do this is regarded as rude and impolite.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-top_incident_191-0"></sup>
-|-
-|언니
-|unni
-|woman's elder sister; Korean women call older female family members and friends this way. Younger girl group members also refer to older members as "unni".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-unni_192-0"></sup>
-|-
-|누나
-|noona
-|man's elder sister; Korean men refer to older women in their family as well as their friend circles this way<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-unni_192-1"></sup>.
-|-
-|동생
-|dongsaeng
-|younger sibling; regardless of sex, people in close relationship with the speaker are referred to as dongsaengs.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi-glossary_181-1"></sup>
-|-
-|선배
-|sunbae
-|senior, someone with more experience in the respective field, regardless of age<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi_183-1"></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sunbae_193-0"></sup>.
-|-
-|후배
-|hoobae
-|junior; someone with less experience in the respective field, regardless of age.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi_183-2"></sup>
-|-
-! colspan="3"|Other frequent expressions
-|-
-!Korean
-!Romanized
-!Explanation
-|-
-|화이팅
-|hwaiting
-|Originated from the English "fighting", this expression is widely used for encouragement and support.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-194"></sup>
-|-
-|대상
-|Daesang
-| rowspan="2"|At music awards several artists receive Bonsangs for their outstanding achievement in music, then one of the Bonsang winners is awarded with a Daesang, the "Grand Prize".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-195"></sup>
-|-
-|본상
-|Bonsang
-|-
-! colspan="2"|Expression
-!Explanation
-|-
-| colspan="2"|All-Kill (AK)
-Perfect All-Kill (PK)
-|They refer to chart positions as certified by Instiz.net. "AK" means that the song reached number one on the charts of the seven biggest online music portals (including Instiz) of South Korea on the same day. "PK" songs add the criteria that the song must lead the ringtone download charts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-196"></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-197"></sup>
-|-
-| colspan="2"|mini album
-|A mini album in K-pop means that the record (physical or digital) contains no more than two or three songs and their remixes. It is usually longer than a single but shorter than an EP.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi-glossary_181-2"></sup>
-|-
-| colspan="2"|title track
-|Title track in K-pop means the main promoted track of the album; it has a music video released, and is promoted on music shows like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Music_Trend ''Inkigayo''] by live performances.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi-glossary_181-3"></sup>
-|-
-| colspan="2"|repackaged album
-|Repackaged album means that after the first promotions of the album are finished, the album is re-released with new design, containing one or two new tracks, out of which one is a "title track" with a new music video.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi-glossary_181-4"></sup>
-|-
-| colspan="2"|promotion
-|Promotion in K-pop refers to promoting the "title track" in several televised music shows like Inkigayo. Promotion on TV shows usually last one month, with a "debut stage" for newcomers, a "comeback stage" for regulars and a "goodbye stage" at the end of the cycle.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi-glossary_181-5"></sup>
-|-
-| colspan="2"|point dance
-|Point dance consists of hooking and repetitive key movements within the choreography, which matches the characteristics of the lyrics.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-K-Pop_success_29-1"></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-asiaone_28-1"></sup>
-|}
-==='''Appeal and fan base'''===
-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Big_Bang_2012_3.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Big_Bang_2012_3.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang_%28South_Korean_band%29 Big Bang] fans (VIPs) hold crown shaped light sticks during a concert: this is the symbol of the fan club[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fan_rice_for_EXO.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fan_rice_for_EXO.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_rice Fan rice] for the Korean boyband [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exo_%28band%29 EXO]According to some opinions, the music itself is not the decisive factor in the popularity of K-pop. A publication in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_%28magazine%29 ''New York''] magazine calls K-pop "catchy but derivative" and states that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation] fans admit to liking the group for its members' looks and their personality, radiating what the magazine calls "humility" and friendliness to each and one of the fans. A fan stated to the magazine that when Girls' Generation performs on stage, you get the illusion of the girls sometimes looking right at you and interacting with you personally.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-nymagazine20121010_198-0"></sup>
-Many K-pop fans travel overseas to get the chance to see Korean bands. Tours from Japan and China bring fans to see K-pop concerts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-world.time.com_199-0"></sup> A K-pop group tour from Japan had more than 7000 fans fly to Seoul to meet boy band [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JYJ JYJ].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-200"></sup> During JYJ's concert in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona Barcelona], fans from many parts of the world camped overnight to gain entrance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-201"></sup>
-Korean fan clubs play an essential role in K-pop, their structure and operation is different from Western fan clubs.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-project_202-0"></sup> Each club has its own name and color. For example, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVXQ TVXQ] fans are called "Cassiopeia" and their official color is "pearl red"; [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS501 SS501] fans are named "Triple S" and their fandom color is "pearl light green"; and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior]'s fan club is called "E.L.F." and they use the color "pearl sapphire blue".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-project_202-1"></sup> Colors play an important role in fandoms, as fans express their unity and loyalty this way, especially in concerts where other artists also perform: fans from a certain fan club create their own sectors with the represented colors, usually with light sticks or official balloons and create a "Kpop Ocean". If a color is already taken, fanclubs of new artists cannot choose them unless the color they want is taken by a soloist or a group of a different gender. As colors are limited some artists do not have an official color, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang_%28South_Korean_band%29 Big Bang] fans for example hold crown shaped yellow light sticks, while [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_%28Korean_singer%29 Se7en]'s fans are represented by the number 7.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-color_wars_204-0"></sup>
-Official fan clubs have subscription "waves"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-project_202-4"></sup> when fans need to register, usually after paying the club fee and then the fan receives a membership cards and other items such as light sticks and official balloons for an idol. Clubs are well organized, united in nature and frequently participate in charity events to support their idols.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-project_202-5"></sup> They purchase bags of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_rice fan rice] as gifts to their favourite bands in order to show their love and support. According to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28magazine%29 ''Time''] magazine, for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang_%28South_Korean_band%29 BIGBANG's] first show in months, 12.7 tons of rice were donated from 50 fan clubs around the world and stacks of rice bags were lined up like shrines to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-Pop_idol K-pop idols]. There are businesses dedicated to shipping the rice from farmers to the venues.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-205"></sup>The rice bags are then donated to people in need.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-206"></sup> Another way for fan clubs to show devotion is sending lunch to the stars, and there are special catering companies in South Korea for this purpose. The trend started when fans picked up complaints that the stars do not eat properly due to their busy schedules.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-207"></sup>
-A unique feature of K-pop fan clubs is the so-called organized "fan chant" during live performances when fans chant parts of the song lyrics or the names of the idols (in order of birth) at parts of the performance previously decided and organized by the club.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi-glossary_181-6"></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-208"></sup>Standardized phrases are generally chanted during non-vocal part in the song, as to not disturb the singers. There are various websites and video tutorials for fan chants of K-pop songs.
-===='''Obsession'''====
-Main article: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaeng_fan Sasaeng fan]There is a recognized concern of K-pop fans turning to obsession and compulsive behaviors such as stalking and invasion of privacy. These fans are called ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaeng_fan sasaeng]'', or "private" fans. These fans are usually young females, around the age of 15 to 17 years old.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sg.entertainment.yahoo.com_209-0"></sup> Some ''sasaeng fans'' hire taxis to follow their idols. There are taxi services catering specifically for these fans that are willing to speed after the vans transporting idols. Korean public officials recognize this as a unique but serious concern.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sg.entertainment.yahoo.com_209-1"></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com_210-0"></sup>
-During a press conference, the boy band [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JYJ JYJ] confirmed they were victims of invasion of privacy and stalking. There were instances of breaking into their private households, where fans would take pictures of them in sleep or steal items.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mb_211-0"></sup> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junsu Junsu] from JYJ told reporters that obsessive fans have even installed GPS trackers under his car to monitor his every move. Fans also resort to harassing artists by acquiring their phone numbers, hitting them or touching their private parts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-menedzser_213-0"></sup> Some ''sasaengs'' go as far as engaging in prostitution to earn the money necessary for following their idol's every step.<sup> </sup>Some ''sasaeng'' fans have installed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed-circuit_television CCTV] surveillance cameras near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoochun Park Yoochun’s] home. In another incident, as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Broadcasting_System KBS] reports [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVXQ TVXQ] member [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunho Yunho] drank a beverage containing super glue given to him by an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-fan anti-fan] and had to receive medical attention.
-Many celebrities have expressed their concern over the sasaeng activities, in 2012 a member of JYJ, which has the most sasaeng fans among all K-pop idols, was accused of resorting to violation and shouting when confronted by stalking fans on the street. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior] member [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Heechul Kim Heechul] and popular singer-actor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jang_Keun-suk Jang Keun-suk] have also reacted angrily at sasaeng moves. In response to a growing number of K-pop fans displaying [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-social_behaviour anti-social behaviours], a law was passed on March 11, 2013 to discourage harassment and making it illegal to infringe the privacy of a person. Under the revision, first time offenders making persistent phone calls and sending letters could face a fine of up to 80,000 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korean_won South Korean won] (US$72).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-218"></sup>
-===='''Celebrity fans'''====
-Music artists and celebrities who are fans of K-pop include:
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimes_%28musician%29 Grimes]: According to Grimes, K-pop has influenced her musical style "more visually than anything else". The Canadian singer is also known to be an admirer of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang_%28South_Korean_band%29 Big Bang]'s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-Dragon G-Dragon].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeout_219-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-timeout-219 [218]]</sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-220">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-220 [219]]</sup>
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelly_Furtado Nelly Furtado]: During an interview with the German newspaper ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Tagesspiegel Der Tagesspiegel]'', Furtado pointed out that there has been a "big K-Pop explosion" and that she has been closely following the development of K-pop over the past few years.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-221"></sup> She expressed an interest to collaborate with Big Bang's member [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.O.P_%28entertainer%29 T.O.P], and also admitted to being "obsessed" with the K-pop genre.
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_Fanning Dakota Fanning]: In early 2013, Fanning sparked a media frenzy in South Korea for being a fan of G-Dragon.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-223"></sup> Her movie ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_Is_Good Now Is Good]'' also features a collaboration with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailee Ailee].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-224"></sup>
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A*M*E A*M*E]: According to A*M*E, she first discovered K-pop when her older sister showed her a music video by Big Bang and told her to "listen to it with an open mind", and she "absolutely loved it from the first moment". As a result, K-pop has influenced her music style. In 2013, she co-produced the single "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_U_%28100%25%29 Need U (100%)]" with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Dumont Duke Dumont], which "blends her beloved K-pop into Dumont's house music", according to a music critic from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuse_%28TV_channel%29 Fuse TV].
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixie_Lott Pixie Lott]: The British singer-songwriter's first contact with K-pop bands took place during a trip to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan Japan], and she "just loved the whole vibe of it".<sup> </sup>Lott also considers herself to be a "big fan" of Big Bang, and the Japanese edition of her second album ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Foolish_Happy Young Foolish Happy]'' contains a version of "Dancing on My Own" which features band members G-Dragon and T.O.P.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-piexielott_227-1"></sup> She also wrote the song "Baby Maybe" for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation]'s fourth album ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Got_a_Boy I Got a Boy]''.
-*Grammy-winning artist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jill_Scott Jill Scott] took on Twitter to spread her new discovery of K-pop, writing: "Feeling Big Bang's Bad Boy right now. Dope", and "Check out Big Bang - our brand of fresh in Korea" She went even further to confess her love with a picture of T.O.P, tweeting: "Odd couple but I love this guy. His name is TOP...I think."
-*Mugler creative director [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Formichetti Nicola Formichetti], known for his work for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Gaga Lady Gaga], is a huge fan of Big Bang and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2NE1 2NE1] and was seen attending Big Bang's concert in Japan. For Mugler 2013 Men's Line, he asked G-Dragon to compose the music for the Paris Fashion Show.
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg Snoop Dogg]: The American rapper considers K-pop to be his "guilty pleasure".<sup> </sup>He has also rapped in a remix of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys The Boys]", a song from "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation]"'s third album.
-==='''Events'''===
-===='''International tours'''====
-Main article: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_K-Pop_concerts_held_outside_Asia List of K-Pop concerts held outside Asia]K-pop concert tours have been held outside of Korea since the mid-2000's. Most Korean artists conduct Asian tours but worldwide tours have also become frequent since 2011, when [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_Town SM Town] held its first non-Asian leg of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMTown_Live_%2710_World_Tour SMTown Live '10 World Tour].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-234"></sup>
-===='''Conventions and music festivals'''====
-*2003–present: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Music_Festival Korean Music Festival] at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Bowl Hollywood Bowl] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles Los Angeles]
-*2011–present: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-POP_World_Festival K-POP World Festival] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea South Korea]
-*2012–present: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KCON_%28music_festival%29 KCON] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California California]
-==='''K-pop and social media'''===
-The spread of K-pop is further spurred on by ordinary internet users, bloggers and ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallyu Hallyu]'' websites. According to a researcher from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeungnam_University Yeungnam University], a website called "dkpopnews.net" has played a critical role in spreading the K-pop [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_genre music genre] across [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asia Southeast Asia], while in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan Japan], a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter Twitter] user named “kpop_lov” is recognized to be a "major" source of K-pop information.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-235"></sup>
-On April 6, 2013, the 26th [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Australia Prime Minister of Australia], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Rudd Kevin Rudd], sent a birthday greeting to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior]'s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choi_Siwon Choi Siwon] after a fan known as "MaddyIsOk" requested him to do so on his official [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter Twitter] account.<sup> </sup>An article by ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal The Wall Street Journal]'' indicated that K-pop’s staying power will likely be shaped by fans, whose online services have partly evolved into "micro"-businesses and small-scale ventures.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ramstad_36-1"></sup>
-In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States United States], a fan website known as "soshified.com" draws over 10 million clicks each month. Some other popular K-pop websites include:
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allkpop Allkpop]: Frequently visited by K-pop fans from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglosphere English-speaking countries]
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soompi Soompi]: Largest and oldest K-pop website. In order to cater to international fans, Soompi has recently began to publish articles in extra languages such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language Spanish], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language French] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_language Portuguese].
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eatyourkimchi Eatyourkimchi]: Run by a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canadian] couple residing in South Korea and portrays the country's popular culture from a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_world Westerner]'s perspective.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-239"></sup>
-===='''Internet memes'''====
-Main article: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwiyomi Gwiyomi]Since February 2013, an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_meme Internet meme] known as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwiyomi Gwiyomi] song has been spreading across the global K-pop community via social media platforms.
-===='''YouTube views'''====
-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Psy_2012.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Psy_2012.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psy Psy], whose music video for "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangnam_Style Gangnam Style]" became the first to reach more than a billion [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube YouTube] views<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-240"></sup>Of the 2.28 billion worldwide K-pop YouTube views in 2011, 240 million came from the United States, which was more than double that of 2010 (94 million).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-soompi.com_241-0"></sup>
-{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
-|+List of most viewed K-pop music videos on YouTube
-|-
-!Rank
-!Artist(s)
-!Title
-!Year
-!Notes
-!Views
-(millions)
-|-
-|1
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psy Psy]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangnam_Style Gangnam Style]"
-|2012
-|
-|1,978.2
-|-
-|2
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psy Psy]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentleman_%28Psy_song%29 Gentleman]"
-|2013
-|
-|676.2
-|-
-|3
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psy Psy] feat. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyuna Hyuna]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppa_Is_Just_My_Style Oppa Is Just My Style]"
-|2012
-|
-|475.5
-|-
-|4
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gee_%28Girls%27_Generation_song%29 Gee]"
-|2009
-|
-|118.8
-|-
-|5
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang_%28South_Korean_band%29 BIGBANG]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantastic_Baby Fantastic Baby]"
-|2012
-|
-|103.2
-|-
-|6
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Got_a_Boy_%28song%29 I Got a Boy]"
-|2013
-|
-|92.1
-|-
-|7
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_%28Girls%27_Generation_album%29 The Boys]"
-|2011
-|
-|91.0
-|-
-|8
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2NE1 2NE1]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_the_Best I Am the Best]"
-|2011
-|
-|89.3
-|-
-|9
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Taxi_/_Run_Devil_Run Mr. Taxi]" (Dance Ver.)
-|2011
-| align="left"|Japanese Version
-|87.0
-|-
-|10
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Simple Mr. Simple]"
-|2011
-|
-|75.0
-|-
-|11
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh%21_%28Girls%27_Generation_song%29 Oh!]"
-|2010
-|
-|72.1
-|-
-|12
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyuna Hyuna]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_Pop_%28song%29 Bubble Pop]"
-|2011
-|
-|71.7
-|-
-|13
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Girls Wonder Girls]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobody_%28Wonder_Girls_song%29 Nobody]"
-|2008
-|Live at ''M! Countdown''
-|61.7
-|-
-|14
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%28x%29_%28band%29 f(x)]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Shock_%28song%29 Electric Shock]"
-|2012
-|
-|58.2
-|-
-|15
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyuna Hyuna]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Cream_%28Hyuna_song%29 Ice Cream]"
-|2012
-|
-|56.6
-|-
-|16
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_Devil_Run_%28Girls%27_Generation_song%29 Run Devil Run]"
-|2010
-|
-|55.8
-|-
-|17
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonamana_%28song%29 Bonamana]"
-|2010
-|
-|55.5
-|-
-|18
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_%28band%29 KARA]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_%28song%29 Step]"
-|2011
-|
-|51.2
-|-
-|19
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinee Shinee]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer_%28Shinee_song%29 Lucifer]"
-|2010
-|
-|50.4
-|-
-|20
-|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior]
-|"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorry,_Sorry_%28song%29 Sorry, Sorry]"
-|2009
-|
-|49.4
-|-
-! colspan="6" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt;"|Last update: April 28, 2014
-|}
-=='''Popularity and impact'''==
-South Korea is emerging in the 21st century as a major exporter of popular culture.<sup> </sup>As part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_wave Korean wave], K-pop has been embraced by the South Korean government as a tool for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_power soft power] abroad, particularly towards youth.
-Prior to the rise of social media networks, K-pop concerts and related events outside [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asia East] and Southeast Asia were mostly unheard of. However, with the growing acceptance of YouTube during the late-2000s as a popular music sharing platform, K-pop has since become increasingly well known in many parts of the world, including the West. According to ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times The New York Times]'', "attempts by K-pop stars to break into Western markets had largely failed prior to the proliferation of global social networks." However, K-pop artists are now gaining more international exposure through social media networks such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, making it easier for them to reach a wider audience. Among the consumers of K-pop around the world, there are significant demographic differences depending on location:
-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fan_watching_a_k-pop_video.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fan_watching_a_k-pop_video.jpg ]Donika Sterling, an American K-Pop fan diagnosed with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charcot%E2%80%93Marie%E2%80%93Tooth_disease Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease], was sponsored to meet her favourite idols in South Korea.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-246"></sup>
-{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
-! style="width:140px;"|Region
-! style="width:80px;"|Time period
-! style="width:240px;"|Demographics of K-pop audience
-|-
-|Japan
-| align="left"|2010–2012<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-248"></sup>
-| align="left"|Teenagers and middle-aged women from the upper class<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-249"></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-250"></sup>
-|-
-| rowspan="2"|United States
-| align="left"|Before 2010
-| align="left"|Mostly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Americans Korean Americans]
-|-
-| align="left"|Since 2010
-| align="left"|Mostly Korean Americans and other Asian Americans, but also some Caucasians and a growing number of African Americans
-|-
-|Rest of the world
-| align="left"|Since 2010
-| align="left"|Mostly teenagers and young adults, especially girls, women in their 20s, and some women in their 30s<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-256"></sup>
-|}
-==='''Asia'''===
-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2NE1_2012_2.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2NE1_2012_2.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2NE1 2NE1] at a concert in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Quay Clarke Quay], SingaporeFollowing the lifting of import/export restrictions between South Korea and Japan which were in place since World War 2, the album ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listen_to_My_Heart_%28BoA_album%29 Listen to My Heart]'' by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoA BoA] was the first album by a Korean artist to debut at the top of the Japanese Oricon charts and become an RIAJ-certified million-seller in Japan.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-257"></sup> On January 16, 2008, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVXQ TVXQ] (known as Tohoshinki in Japan) reached the top of the Oricon charts, with their sixteenth Japanese single "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Line_%28song%29 Purple Line]". This made them the first foreign and Korean male group to have a number-one single in Japan.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-258"></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-259"></sup> Afterwards, the Japanese music market has seen the influx of Korean pop acts including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS501 SS501], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-ara T-ara], [[wikipedia:Big_Bang_(South_Korean_band)|BIGBANG]] , [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHINee SHINee], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_%28band%29 KARA], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2NE1 2NE1], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2PM 2PM], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Eyed_Girls Brown Eyed Girls]. In 2011, it has been reported that the total sales for K-pop artists' has increased 22.3% during 2010–2011 in Japan. Some artists have been in the top 10 selling artists of 2011 in Japan.
-According to the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, K-pop has been a successful export of Korean culture in Asia. On its "Korean Wave" index, the top country in 2010 was Japan, in a list that also included [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan Taiwan], China, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand Thailand], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia Indonesia], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam Vietnam], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia Malaysia] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines Philippines].
-K-pop has yet to make a major impact in China but there has been considerable success. In 2005 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_%28entertainer%29 Rain] held a concert in Beijing with 40,000 people in attendance. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Girls Wonder Girls] won an award in the 5th annual China Mobile Wireless Music Award for having the highest digital sales for a foreign artist with five million digital downloads in 2010. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior] and their sub-group [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior-M Super Junior-M] have had successful results on the Kuang Nan Record, CCR and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_Fm_Taiwan Hit Fm Taiwan] music charts.
-==='''India'''===
-In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Indian] state of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipur Manipur], where separatists have banned Bollywood movies, consumers have turned to Korean popular culture for their entertainment needs. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC BBC]'s correspondent Sanjoy Majumder reported that Korean entertainment products are mostly pirated copies smuggled in from neighbouring [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma Burma], and is generally well received by the local population.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbcindia_269-0"></sup>
-This has led to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_language Korean language] becoming more popular among young people, with phrases such as "Annyeong-haseyo" (안녕하세요) and "Kamsahamnida" (감사합니다) now commonly heard in everyday speech.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-afpindia_12-2"></sup> In response to the growing Korean cultural influence, Professor Amar Yumnam from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipur_University Manipur University] proposed setting up Korean language classes for students, after a meeting between university officials and diplomats from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_of_South_Korea Korean Embassy] in New Delhi was held in 2011.
-In order to capitalize on the popularity of K-pop in Manipur, many hairdressing salons have offered "Korean-style" cuts based on the hairstyles of K-pop boy bands. This wave of Korean popular culture is currently spreading from Manipur to the neighbouring state of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagaland Nagaland],<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-271"></sup> and to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal Nepal].
-==='''North America'''===
-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RAIN_2011_Shankbone.JPG ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RAIN_2011_Shankbone.JPG ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_%28entertainer%29 Rain] at the 2011 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_100 ''Time'' 100] galaOne of the first significant K-pop events to be held in the United States were [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_%28entertainer%29 Rain's] 2006 sold-out concerts in New York City and in Las Vegas 6 months later. In 2009, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Girls Wonder Girls] became the first K-pop artist to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-273"></sup>They also joined the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Brothers Jonas Brothers] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Brothers_World_Tour_2009 Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009]. In 2010 they toured 20 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and were named [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Blues House of Blues] "Artist of the Month" for June.
-In 2010 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_Entertainment SM Entertainment] organized [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMTown_Live_%2710_World_Tour SMTown Live '10 World Tour], touring in Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo and New York. In May 2012, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_Town SM Town] returned to California again with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMTown_Live_World_Tour_III SMTown Live World Tour III] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaheim,_California Anaheim].
-In 2010, during the 8th Annual Korean Music Festival, K-pop artists made their first appearances at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Bowl Hollywood Bowl].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-275"></sup> Notable K-pop concerts in the United States in 2011 include the 2011 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Broadcasting_System KBS] Concert at the New York Korea Festival'', the 2011 ''K-Pop Masters Concert in Las Vegas'', and the ''Korean Music Wave in Google'', the latter held at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google Google's] headquarters in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_View,_California Mountain View, California].
-At the start of 2012, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation Girls' Generation] performed the English version of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_%28Girls%27_Generation_song%29 The Boys]" on the late night talk show [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Show_with_David_Letterman Late Show with David Letterman] and on the daytime talk show [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live%21_with_Kelly Live! with Kelly], becoming the first Korean musical act to perform on each show, and the first Korean act to perform on syndicated television in the United States. In the same year, the group formed their first sub-unit, entitled [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls%27_Generation-TTS Girls' Generation-TTS], or simply "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TaeTiSeo TaeTiSeo]", composed of members [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taeyeon Taeyeon], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiffany_%28South_Korean_singer%29 Tiffany], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seohyun Seohyun]. The subgroup's debut EP, ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinkle_%28EP%29 Twinkle]'', peaked at #126 on the Billboard 200, becoming the highest charting K-Pop album on the chart.
-In December 2011 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2NE1 2NE1] won MTV Iggy's Best New Band award.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mtviggy_279-0"></sup> In August 2012, as part of their New Evolution Global Tour, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2NE1 2NE1] held their first American concert in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Metropolitan_Area New York Metropolitan Area] at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudential_Center Prudential Center] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark,_New_Jersey Newark, New Jersey].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-280">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-280 [279]]</sup>
-In September 2012, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junsu Junsu] became the second K-pop idol to perform in Mexico, after first performance of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Girls Wonder Girls] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterrey Monterrey] in 2009.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-english.chosun.com_281-0"></sup>
-In November 2012, as part of their Alive Tour, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang_%28South_Korean_band%29 Big Bang] held their first solo concert in America going to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Center Honda Center] in Los Angeles and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudential_Center Prudential Center] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark,_New_Jersey Newark, New Jersey]. The tickets sold out in only a few hours, thus additional dates were added.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-282"></sup>
-On November 13, 2012, the American singer-songwriter [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_%28entertainer%29 Madonna] and a few of her backup dancers performed "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangnam_Style Gangnam Style]" alongside [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psy_%28entertainer%29 PSY] during a concert at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Square_Garden Madison Square Garden] in New York City. PSY later told reporters that his gig with Madonna had "topped his list of accomplishments".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-283"></sup>
-In March 2013, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%28x%29_%28band%29 f(x) (band)] performed at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_by_Southwest South by Southwest] festival in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin,_Texas Austin, Texas]. They, alongside the Geeks who represented K-rock, represented Korea's entertainment at the festival. f(x) were the first K-pop group to perform at SXSW.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-284"></sup>
-==='''South America'''===
-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LG%EC%A0%84%EC%9E%90,_%EC%BD%9C%EB%A1%AC%EB%B9%84%EC%95%84%EC%84%9C_%ED%95%9C%EB%A5%98_%EC%A0%84%EB%8F%84%EC%82%AC%EB%A1%9C_%EB%82%98%EC%84%B0%EB%8B%A4.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LG%EC%A0%84%EC%9E%90,_%EC%BD%9C%EB%A1%AC%EB%B9%84%EC%95%84%EC%84%9C_%ED%95%9C%EB%A5%98_%EC%A0%84%EB%8F%84%EC%82%AC%EB%A1%9C_%EB%82%98%EC%84%B0%EB%8B%A4.jpg ]K-pop fans in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia Colombia] taking part in a reality show jointly aired by the local [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracol_TV Caracol TV] and South Korea's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arirang_%28TV_network%29 Arirang TV] in April 2012<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-caracol_285-0"></sup>In the first South America K-pop Competition in 2010, 92 teams from 10 countries participated. In 2011 they were joined by more countries for the second South America K-pop Competition.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-286">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-286 []</sup>
-In 2011, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Cube_Concert United Cube Concert] was held in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Paulo São Paulo], Brazil right after the first edition of the K-Pop Cover Dance Festival with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBLAQ MBLAQ] as judges.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-287"></sup>
-In March 2012, the boyband [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JYJ JYJ] performed in both [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile Chile] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru Peru]. When JYJ arrived at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorge_Ch%C3%A1vez_International_Airport Jorge Chávez International Airport] in Peru for the JYJ World Tour Concert, the band was escorted by airport security officials through a private exit due to safety reasons concerning the large number of fans. At the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Monumental_%22U%22 Explanada Sur del Estadio Monumental] in Lima, some fans camped out for days in to see JYJ.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-289"></sup>
-In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia Colombia], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracol_TV Caracol TV] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arirang_%28TV_network%29 Arirang TV] made a K-pop reality show in April 2012.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-caracol_285-1"></sup>
-In September 2012, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junsu Junsu] became the first K-pop idol to perform alone in Brazil, he performed in Mexico as well, the concerts sold out well in advance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-english.chosun.com_281-1"></sup>
-In January 2014, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Hyung-jun Kim Hyung-jun] headed to South America and performed in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, marking him as the first K-pop idol to perform in the latter. The tour proved his popularity in the continent as both fans and the press media followed him everywhere he went, causing traffic on the road and calling of police to maintain safety. Fans were also seen pitching their tents outside the concert venue for days before the actual concert.
-Since 2009, about 260 fan clubs with a total of over 20,000 and 8,000 active members have been formed in Chile and Peru respectively.
-<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-294"></sup>
-==='''Europe'''===
-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beast_in_berlin_concert.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beast_in_berlin_concert.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_%28South_Korean_band%29 Beast] performing at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beautiful_Show Beautiful Show] in BerlinIn London, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_%28South_Korean_band%29 Beast] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4Minute 4Minute] performed during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Cube_Concert United Cube Concert]. The MBC Korean Culture Festival was also held in London. When [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHINee SHINee] arrived at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Heathrow_Airport London Heathrow Airport] for a concert at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odeon_West_End Odeon West End], part of the airport became temporarily overrun by frenzied fans. The reservation system of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odeon_West_End Odeon West End] crashed for the first time one minute after ticket sales began as the concert drew an unexpectedly large response. In 2011, the Korean boyband [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang_%28South_Korean_band%29 Big Bang] flew to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast Belfast] and won the Best Worldwide Act during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_MTV_Europe_Music_Awards 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards] in Northern Ireland.
-In May 2011, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_%28entertainer%29 Rain] became the first K-pop artist to perform in Germany during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden Dresden] Music Festival. Later followed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JYJ JYJ] performed in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin Berlin] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona Barcelona]. In February 2012, the boyband [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_%28South_Korean_band%29 BEAST] held the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beautiful_Show Beautiful Show] in Berlin. According to the local [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berliner_Zeitung Berliner Zeitung], many fans who attended the ''Beautiful Show'' came not just from Germany but also from neighbouring countries such as France and Switzerland.
-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kpop_fans_in_poland.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kpop_fans_in_poland.jpg ]K-pop fans in Warsaw holding a South Korean-Polish flag as well as banners of various boy bandsThe [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMTown_Live_%2710_World_Tour SMTown Live '10 World Tour] was held in Paris, followed by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Junior Super Junior] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Show_4_Tour Super Show 4 Tour], also in Paris. In February 2012, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Bank_World_Tour Music Bank World Tour] drew more than 10,000 fans to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Omnisports_de_Paris-Bercy Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy]<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-301"></sup>
-In 2012, Big Bang won the Best Fan category in the Italian [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRL_Awards TRL Awards].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-302"></sup>
-In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona Barcelona], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain Spain], K-pop parties are periodically held in Razzmatazz nightclub, one of most the popular nightspots in the Spanish city. In February 2011, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Top Teen Top] performed in Barcelona's concert hall Apolo.
-K-pop is becoming increasingly popular in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland Poland]. In 2011, the K-pop Star Exhibition was held in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw Warsaw] Korean Culture Center, as well as a K-pop party which attracted fans all across [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland Poland]. Fans told [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warsaw_Voice The Warsaw Voice]; "we want to express our admiration for Korean music and our hope that some day they will perform in Poland.” There have also been K-pop [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob flash mobs] in other European cities including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague Prague], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw Warsaw].
-During the 2011 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop_Cover_Dance_Festival K-pop Cover Dance Festival], 57 Russian dance teams took part to win a trip to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea South Korea]. During the second round of the competition, the boyband [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHINee SHINee] flew to Moscow as judges of the competition and they also performed in front of the Russian fans and participated in a flash mob.
-==='''Middle East and Africa'''===
-In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey Turkey], Korean culture is catching on quickly and Internet-savvy generation of Turks are using their computers and phones to explore cultures around the world and a large chunk of the pre-teen demographic is flocking to South Korean culture. In 2012, the total number of active members in K-Pop fan clubs across Turkey surpassed 100,000 members.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-korea_74-1"></sup>
-The boyband [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZE:A ZE:A] appeared for a meet and greet session for fans in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai Dubai]<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-309">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-pop#cite_note-309  ]</sup>and a concert in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi Abu Dhabi]. In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel Israel], local K-pop fans met South Korea's Ambassador to Israel ''Ma Young-sam'' in July 2011. Israeli fans traveled to Paris for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMTown_Live_%2710_World_Tour SMTown Live '10 World Tour] in Europe.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-311"></sup> In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo Cairo], hundreds of K-pop fans came to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maadi_Library Maadi Library’s] stage theater to see the final round of the K-POP Korean Song Festival, organized by the Korean Embassy. Fans drew banners in Korean and many were screaming along to the Korean songs.
-In 2013, researchers at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_University_of_Jerusalem Hebrew University of Jerusalem] reported that young people in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel Israel] are beginning to see K-pop as "cultural capital" - something which makes them stand out from the crowd. It is hoped that the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Wave Korean Wave]'' will bring together fans from both Israel and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_Territories Palestinian Territories], where there are over 3,000 K-pop followers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-313"></sup>
-==='''Oceania'''===
-Concerts in Australia include the ''2011 K-Pop Music Festival'', at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadium_Australia ANZ Stadium] in Sydney, featuring Girls' Generation, TVXQ, B2ST, SHINee, 4minute, miss A, 2AM, and MBLAQ. While, in New Zealand, a K-pop Festival is planned to take someplace sometime during the summer of 2012/2013, starring Girls' Generation, 2PM and Kara and the South Korean Embassy will be backing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand New Zealand's] first national K-pop competition. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NU%27EST NU'EST] visited Sydney in August 2012 at Sydney Harbour and at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_New_South_Wales University of New South Wales], as they were judges of a major K-pop concert that was being held there. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4Minute 4Minute] also went to Sydney in 2013 and were judges at the same kpop contest. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psy Psy] toured Australia in October 2012, after his single "Gangnam Style" reached number one in Australia on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARIA_Charts ARIA] charts.
-=='''List of K-pop artists'''==
-Main articles: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Korean_idol_groups List of South Korean idol groups] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_K-pop_artists List of K-pop artists]
-== '''See also''' ==
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-Pop_idol K-Pop idol]
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_wave Korean wave]
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_hip_hop Korean hip hop]
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_culture_of_South_Korea Contemporary culture of South Korea]
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korean_music South Korean music]
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_K-pop_artists List of K-pop artists]
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Korean_idol_groups List of South Korean idol groups]
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_industry_of_East_Asia Music industry of East Asia]
-everyone is welcome to help build this Wiki...
-[[Category:Browse]]
-[[Category:YG Entertainment]]
-[[Category:SM Entertainment]]
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-[[Category:Pledis Entertainment]]
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