K-pop is becoming more popular than ever — and less Korean

The so-called “fifth generation” of K-pop has arguably grander ambitions than previous eras – some of which may challenge our ...
NPR

How NewJeans (almost) changed K-pop

Even many superfans will tell you that K-pop's pageantry has often masked a troubled business model, where impressionable young trainees commit to a life run entirely by their agencies. Signing on the ...
NPR

K-Pop feels ubiquitous nowadays — but it's been decades in the making

K-pop has exploded in recent years with chart hits, Grammy nominations and the most-streamed movie of 2025, but it wasn't always so easy to be a fan of the genre. K-pop is popular around the world and ...
The Washington Post

The hottest sound of the summer? K-pop.

K-pop is having a golden moment. The signs have been there since the start of the summer, with groups such as Stray Kids, Itzy, Enhypen and Ateez driving sweaty swarms of American K-pop fans to ...
CNN

BTS propelled K-pop to global stardom. Nearly four years later, they’re back

When the world’s biggest K-pop group announced their hiatus in late 2022, they were at the height of superstardom. They regularly topped music charts, won prestigious awards, and arguably transformed ...