What Is K-Pop?
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Description
Book Introduction
Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About K-Pop, All in One Place
Everything about K-pop, in one book.
Whether you're a seasoned fan or just curious about the hype, this guide opens the door to the vibrant world of K-pop, offering insights for both longtime fans and total newcomers.
It answers the questions beginners are most curious about: What makes fan culture in K-pop so unique? What defines K-pop musically as a genre? What's the secret behind idol choreography that fuels viral TikTok challenges and random play dances? And how do entertainment agencies train and shape idols through Korea's rigorous trainee system? From the excitement of fan sign events where you can meet your favorite idols one-on-one, to the unforgettable energy of fan chants at concerts, this book breaks it all down.
And for those curious about the business side, it takes a critical look at the industry's marketing strategies—like random photocards and multi-version albums that drive massive sales.
This concise and lucid book opens up the colorful world of K-pop to longtime fans and newcomers alike.
This book answers the following questions:
"What makes K-pop fan culture unique? How would you define K-pop as a music genre? What's the secret behind the idol choreography that makes 'TikTok challenges' and 'random play dances' so popular? And how do Korean entertainment agencies train and debut trainees?" From the thrill of one-on-one fan signings with your favorites to the rousing cheers and sing-alongs at concerts, this book delves into the full magic of K-pop.
It also sheds light on the business side of the K-pop industry, focusing on marketing strategies that generate unusually high sales, such as random photocards or day and night versions of albums.
Everything about K-pop, in one book.
Whether you're a seasoned fan or just curious about the hype, this guide opens the door to the vibrant world of K-pop, offering insights for both longtime fans and total newcomers.
It answers the questions beginners are most curious about: What makes fan culture in K-pop so unique? What defines K-pop musically as a genre? What's the secret behind idol choreography that fuels viral TikTok challenges and random play dances? And how do entertainment agencies train and shape idols through Korea's rigorous trainee system? From the excitement of fan sign events where you can meet your favorite idols one-on-one, to the unforgettable energy of fan chants at concerts, this book breaks it all down.
And for those curious about the business side, it takes a critical look at the industry's marketing strategies—like random photocards and multi-version albums that drive massive sales.
This concise and lucid book opens up the colorful world of K-pop to longtime fans and newcomers alike.
This book answers the following questions:
"What makes K-pop fan culture unique? How would you define K-pop as a music genre? What's the secret behind the idol choreography that makes 'TikTok challenges' and 'random play dances' so popular? And how do Korean entertainment agencies train and debut trainees?" From the thrill of one-on-one fan signings with your favorites to the rousing cheers and sing-alongs at concerts, this book delves into the full magic of K-pop.
It also sheds light on the business side of the K-pop industry, focusing on marketing strategies that generate unusually high sales, such as random photocards or day and night versions of albums.
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
01 Fans Fansㆍ9
Find Your Ultimate Bias and That Is the Beginning of Everything
Keywords: Deokjil│Bias│Fandom Name│FanTube│Fan Fiction│Weverse│Son Min-soo│The Revolving Door│Photo Booth Frames │Character Merchandise
Music On: Private Messaging Services: Personal Connection with Your Idol
02 Genreㆍ18
What Exactly Is K-Pop as a Genre?
Keywords: Line Distribution│Killing Part│Color-Coded Lyrics │Innocent│Girl Crush│Refreshing│Comeback│Dyeing
Music On: The Authentic “K” in K-Pop
03 Position Positionㆍ28
Just Like in a Sports Team, Members of an Idol Group Have Their Own Roles
Keywords: Visual Role│Visual Main Vocal│Aegyo Role│Maknae-on-Top│Matnae (Eldest + Maknae)│Variety Show Role│Self-Producing Idols
Music On: How Age Shapes the Chemistry in Idol Groups: “Eldest and Youngest”
04 Choreographyㆍ37
All the Moments that Shaped the Creation of K-Pop Dance
Keywords: Practice Room│Choreographers│Cupid Challenge │Challenge Collaboration│Double-Speed Dance│Choreography Copyright
Music On: You Can Do It Too: Random Play Dance
05 Traineeㆍ46
Becoming a Star: A Trainee's Long Journey
Keywords: Audition│Overseas Tour Auditions│Casting│Dieting │Trainee Costs│Character Evaluation│Monthly Evaluations│Debut Team│Agency Survival Audition Programs│What Happens to Those Not Chosen for the Debut Team?
Music On: Trainees Are Forbidden to Date!
06 Music Show Music Broadcastㆍ56
An Idol's Day on a Music Show
Keywords: Ending Fairy│Music Show Rankings│MC│Fancams │Encore Stages│Lip-Syncing│Live Streaming│Award Shows │Inkigayo Sandwich│Year-End Festivals Music On: Game On: Idols Compete in Sports
07 Dorm Accommodationㆍ66
Chasing Big Dreams in a Small Dorm
Keywords: Dormitory│Manager│Fan Manager│Housekeeper │Student Yet an Idol Music On: K-Pop Is Now World-Pop?
08 Album Albumㆍ75
What Drives K-Pop Fans to Buy Albums in Bulk?
Keywords: First-Week Sales│Streaming│Title Track│Photocard Trading│Season's Greetings│Etiquette Shot Music On: Are K-Pop Albums an Environmental Villain?
09 Fansign Fan Signing Eventㆍ82
Heading to See You: The World of Idol Fansigns
Keywords: Fansign Cutoff│Sticky Note Questions│Looking Your Best│Fansign Props│“Oh, Really?”│Proxy Questions │Toxic Solo Stan│Kneeling for Signatures Music On: You Can Meet Your Idol Over Zoom
10 Concert Concertㆍ91
K-Pop's Biggest Celebration: Fans and Idols Unite
Keywords: Ticketing│Light Sticks│Fan Chants│Fan Songs │Concert Movies│University Festivals│Overseas Tours│Fan Meeting Concerts│Entertainment Agency Concerts
Music On: Do K-Pop idols perform Even in the Military?
11 Fan Support Gift Tributeㆍ101
From Love to Excess: The Bright and Dark Sides of K-Pop Fandom's Tribute Culture
Keywords: Food Trucks│Reverse Fan Support│Gun-Bearer │Idol Forests│Rice Wreaths│Reaching for the Stars│Luxury Brand Ambassadors│Birthday Ads│The Expanded Birthday Cafe
Music On: Creating the Best Birthday Ever
12 Sasaeng Private Lifeㆍ111
Sasaeng Behavior That Borders on Criminal Activity
Keywords: Sasaeng Taxi│Sasaeng Sponsor│Homma│Airport Fashion│Security Guards
Music On: The Dark Side of Glamorous Airport Departures
13 Idol Survival Audition Program Idol Survival Programㆍ119
We're the Ones Creating Idol Groups
Keywords: Rankings│Trainers│Second-Chance Idols│Theme Songs│Battle for Roles│Role Displacement│“Vote and Win Gold”│Producer's Picks│Evil Editing
Music On: A Love with an Expiration Date: Project Groups
Find Your Ultimate Bias and That Is the Beginning of Everything
Keywords: Deokjil│Bias│Fandom Name│FanTube│Fan Fiction│Weverse│Son Min-soo│The Revolving Door│Photo Booth Frames │Character Merchandise
Music On: Private Messaging Services: Personal Connection with Your Idol
02 Genreㆍ18
What Exactly Is K-Pop as a Genre?
Keywords: Line Distribution│Killing Part│Color-Coded Lyrics │Innocent│Girl Crush│Refreshing│Comeback│Dyeing
Music On: The Authentic “K” in K-Pop
03 Position Positionㆍ28
Just Like in a Sports Team, Members of an Idol Group Have Their Own Roles
Keywords: Visual Role│Visual Main Vocal│Aegyo Role│Maknae-on-Top│Matnae (Eldest + Maknae)│Variety Show Role│Self-Producing Idols
Music On: How Age Shapes the Chemistry in Idol Groups: “Eldest and Youngest”
04 Choreographyㆍ37
All the Moments that Shaped the Creation of K-Pop Dance
Keywords: Practice Room│Choreographers│Cupid Challenge │Challenge Collaboration│Double-Speed Dance│Choreography Copyright
Music On: You Can Do It Too: Random Play Dance
05 Traineeㆍ46
Becoming a Star: A Trainee's Long Journey
Keywords: Audition│Overseas Tour Auditions│Casting│Dieting │Trainee Costs│Character Evaluation│Monthly Evaluations│Debut Team│Agency Survival Audition Programs│What Happens to Those Not Chosen for the Debut Team?
Music On: Trainees Are Forbidden to Date!
06 Music Show Music Broadcastㆍ56
An Idol's Day on a Music Show
Keywords: Ending Fairy│Music Show Rankings│MC│Fancams │Encore Stages│Lip-Syncing│Live Streaming│Award Shows │Inkigayo Sandwich│Year-End Festivals Music On: Game On: Idols Compete in Sports
07 Dorm Accommodationㆍ66
Chasing Big Dreams in a Small Dorm
Keywords: Dormitory│Manager│Fan Manager│Housekeeper │Student Yet an Idol Music On: K-Pop Is Now World-Pop?
08 Album Albumㆍ75
What Drives K-Pop Fans to Buy Albums in Bulk?
Keywords: First-Week Sales│Streaming│Title Track│Photocard Trading│Season's Greetings│Etiquette Shot Music On: Are K-Pop Albums an Environmental Villain?
09 Fansign Fan Signing Eventㆍ82
Heading to See You: The World of Idol Fansigns
Keywords: Fansign Cutoff│Sticky Note Questions│Looking Your Best│Fansign Props│“Oh, Really?”│Proxy Questions │Toxic Solo Stan│Kneeling for Signatures Music On: You Can Meet Your Idol Over Zoom
10 Concert Concertㆍ91
K-Pop's Biggest Celebration: Fans and Idols Unite
Keywords: Ticketing│Light Sticks│Fan Chants│Fan Songs │Concert Movies│University Festivals│Overseas Tours│Fan Meeting Concerts│Entertainment Agency Concerts
Music On: Do K-Pop idols perform Even in the Military?
11 Fan Support Gift Tributeㆍ101
From Love to Excess: The Bright and Dark Sides of K-Pop Fandom's Tribute Culture
Keywords: Food Trucks│Reverse Fan Support│Gun-Bearer │Idol Forests│Rice Wreaths│Reaching for the Stars│Luxury Brand Ambassadors│Birthday Ads│The Expanded Birthday Cafe
Music On: Creating the Best Birthday Ever
12 Sasaeng Private Lifeㆍ111
Sasaeng Behavior That Borders on Criminal Activity
Keywords: Sasaeng Taxi│Sasaeng Sponsor│Homma│Airport Fashion│Security Guards
Music On: The Dark Side of Glamorous Airport Departures
13 Idol Survival Audition Program Idol Survival Programㆍ119
We're the Ones Creating Idol Groups
Keywords: Rankings│Trainers│Second-Chance Idols│Theme Songs│Battle for Roles│Role Displacement│“Vote and Win Gold”│Producer's Picks│Evil Editing
Music On: A Love with an Expiration Date: Project Groups
Into the book
Another significant position is the “center,” the face of the group.
As the member who best represents the group's concept and identity, the center stands in the middle during performances and public appearances.
As the center creates the group's first impression, they are held to the highest standards in terms of appearance, talent, star quality, and personality.
Being chosen as the center means becoming the face of the group and often leads to becoming its most popular member.
--- From 「Position: Just Like in a Sports Team, Members of an Idol Group Have Their Own Roles」
In Korean rural communities, there's a tradition called pumasi (Pumasi), which refers to neighbors exchanging labor to help one another.
In K-pop, a modern version of this concept has emerged through TikTok challenges, which is called “challenge pumasi (challenge pumasi).” Idols no longer just film their own challenges─they guest in other idols' TikTok videos to dance together.
On days with music show recordings, the back stage hallways are bustling with idols requesting each other to join challenges.
Since everyone's schedules are packed, they take advantage of music show days when many idols are gathered in the same place.
Fans are delighted to see idols helping each other in these collaborative efforts.
Such interactions often lead to amusing moments, such as male idols performing cute girl group dances, offering fans a fresh source of entertainment.
--- From 「Choreography: All the Moments That Shaped the Creation of K-Pop Dance」
When fans grow fond of an idol, they may want to emulate everything about them.
Imitating an idol's outfits, hairstyle, makeup, or overall style is known as “doing Son Min-soo” in K-pop fandom.
The term originates from a comic character who admired a protagonist so much that she copied her fashion and hair.
To do Son Min-soo of your favorite idol, follow Twitter accounts that quickly share details of what idols wore on any given day.
Some accounts even analyze photos to identify the exact makeup products used, helping fans replicate their idol's look.
--- From 「Fans: Find Your Ultimate Bias and That Is the Beginning of Everything」
First-week sales (chodong, Chodong), refer to the album sales recorded during the first seven days after release.
This metric is critical in K-pop, as fans heavily purchasing albums within this period, making it a key indicator of an idol's popularity and the size of their fanbase.
As such, first-week sales rankings are often equated with popularity rankings.
To avoid the humiliation of having lower first-week sales than rival groups, fans sometimes pool their money to buy tens of thousands─or even hundreds of thousands─of albums.
The interplay between fan pride, fan sign events, and marketing tactics like random photocards has driven first-week sales figures to Skyrocket.
As the member who best represents the group's concept and identity, the center stands in the middle during performances and public appearances.
As the center creates the group's first impression, they are held to the highest standards in terms of appearance, talent, star quality, and personality.
Being chosen as the center means becoming the face of the group and often leads to becoming its most popular member.
--- From 「Position: Just Like in a Sports Team, Members of an Idol Group Have Their Own Roles」
In Korean rural communities, there's a tradition called pumasi (Pumasi), which refers to neighbors exchanging labor to help one another.
In K-pop, a modern version of this concept has emerged through TikTok challenges, which is called “challenge pumasi (challenge pumasi).” Idols no longer just film their own challenges─they guest in other idols' TikTok videos to dance together.
On days with music show recordings, the back stage hallways are bustling with idols requesting each other to join challenges.
Since everyone's schedules are packed, they take advantage of music show days when many idols are gathered in the same place.
Fans are delighted to see idols helping each other in these collaborative efforts.
Such interactions often lead to amusing moments, such as male idols performing cute girl group dances, offering fans a fresh source of entertainment.
--- From 「Choreography: All the Moments That Shaped the Creation of K-Pop Dance」
When fans grow fond of an idol, they may want to emulate everything about them.
Imitating an idol's outfits, hairstyle, makeup, or overall style is known as “doing Son Min-soo” in K-pop fandom.
The term originates from a comic character who admired a protagonist so much that she copied her fashion and hair.
To do Son Min-soo of your favorite idol, follow Twitter accounts that quickly share details of what idols wore on any given day.
Some accounts even analyze photos to identify the exact makeup products used, helping fans replicate their idol's look.
--- From 「Fans: Find Your Ultimate Bias and That Is the Beginning of Everything」
First-week sales (chodong, Chodong), refer to the album sales recorded during the first seven days after release.
This metric is critical in K-pop, as fans heavily purchasing albums within this period, making it a key indicator of an idol's popularity and the size of their fanbase.
As such, first-week sales rankings are often equated with popularity rankings.
To avoid the humiliation of having lower first-week sales than rival groups, fans sometimes pool their money to buy tens of thousands─or even hundreds of thousands─of albums.
The interplay between fan pride, fan sign events, and marketing tactics like random photocards has driven first-week sales figures to Skyrocket.
--- From 「Album (Album): What Drives K-Pop Fans to Buy Albums in Bulk?」
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: April 18, 2025
- Page count, weight, size: 135 pages | 114*184*20mm
- ISBN13: 9791199223400
- ISBN10: 1199223409
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카테고리
korean
korean
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