The document discusses the evolution of the Korean Wave, focusing on the rise of K-pop and its pivotal figures such as Lee Soo Man, Yang Hyun Suk, and Park Jin Young. It highlights how South Korea's global exposure, aided by technological advancements and government support, led to the emergence of successful K-pop acts like Psy and BTS, who have achieved significant milestones on international music charts. The government's interest in cultural export aims to enhance South Korea's global image and generate revenue through popular culture.

1. Glocalization – Korean Wave
Kpop

2. History of Korean Wave – Entertainment Industries
South Korea did not have its own independent music industry
• Starting of standard of living:
• South Korea bought satellite TV & could receive Japanese
television (Result : Koreans become more aware of global
trends, exposed to foreign culture & music)
• Open its global market in 1987
1980
A lot of people who studied in America came back to South Korea
This group of people start working as music producers or music
video directors
Got in touch with hip hop and American pop – Influenced them in
the sound of the music in South Korea.
According to Leung (2012), foreigners got to be involved in the
production of cultural goods.
1990

3. Pioneers of
Kpop (Korean
Entertainment
Countries)

4.  Founders: Lee Soo Man (started in 1989)
 Most popular record company: Successes of H.O.T, Shinhwa, BoA, TVXQ, Super
Junior, Girls Generation & SHINee
 Bringing J-pop style to South Korea : Copied style of popular Japanese metal band
X-Japan (Lee Soo Man and the 365 days)
 Move to America & Study Computer Engineering
 Got influenced and inspiration with MTV America
 Founded First boy band in South Korea : H.O.T (1996)
 Inspired many boys and girls to try and become k-pop idols too

5.  Founder: Yang Hyun Suk (founded YG entertainment in 1998 after Seo Taiji and boys
disbanded)
 Was a dancer in Seo Taiji and Boys and responsible for the choreography of the group
 Seo Taiji and Boys (Seen as a pioneer in K-pop as the Korean Herald called Seo Taiji and
Boys as the first cultural product in South Korea.)
 YG Entertainment: Second biggest entertainment company in South Korea
 Using Hip Hop as basis for their songs to differentiate themselves from other companies.
 Famous Artist of YG Entertainment: Big Bang, 2NE1, PSY

6.  Founder: Park Jin Young (founded JYP Entertainment in 1997)
 Successful singer, talented dancer and a pop idol himself
 Song-writer and produced songs for American Artist (Will Smith, Mase and R.Kelly)
 Write all the songs for k-pop groups (2PM and Wonder Girls)
 Arranged Wonder Girls to featured on Nickelodeon and in the opening set of the Jonas
Brothers to break through entertainment market in America.

7. The government took this as an opportunity and believe that Korean Wave will creates a
positive image of South Korea in the world. The government now sees it as their job to keep
the Korean wave going. The interest of the government in the Korean wave can be
explained in two ways:
 Selling popular culture to other countries brings a lot of money to Korea (Especially
Japan)
 To promote South Korea as a brand.

8. Dance
Professionalization
of the music
industry
Fashion style with
K-pop music scene
According to the Korean Culture and Information Centre (KOCIS):
o Internet played important role in the spread of Korean Cultural content (Example: Youtube)
o Calls K-pop the music of fusion (blending melodies and beats and using American songwriters and
producers.)
o The government does not credit themselves for the popularity of k-pop instead they look at the role of
the entertainment companies
o The basis of the popularity of K-pop (Selling point):

9. K-pop act to chart on Billboard Hot 100
 Wonder Girls (first K-pop group to chart with “Nobody” – 2008 but re-recording it in English landed on Hot 100
year later and performed it on US)
 CL (landed on Hot 100 with “Lifted” but it was an English song promoted on The Late Late Show With James
Corden)
 PSY is the only K-pop act to send Korean-language songs to the Hot 100 (so far, four of them), but has been
assisted by an American record deal and management.
 To compare: BTS' "Spring Day" is almost all in Korean, had zero promotions in America, was released new music
during a notoriously competitive week with the 2017 Grammy Awards, and "Spring Day" dropped on a Sunday
making their charting window smaller than other releases.
The accomplishment gives hope and bright future for Korean Wave to continue making their mark on the American
Industry.

10. PSY

11. The Successful of PSY – Gangnam Style in 2012
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and Korean Tourist Organization (KTO) keeps writing about
what PSY has been doing in order to promote Korean Wave (Hallyu) to worldwide. Achievement of PSY during
the success of Gangnam Style & Government tries to prove how well spread Korean Wave with popular culture
is:
- In the month October Psy has been mentioned in 21 news reports on korea.net.
- ‘Psy’s Gangnam style pops up as no. 2 on the billboard’
- According to Limb (2012), In ‘Psy’s popularity gives boost to Korean language’ the news was that Psy spoke
Korean during a broadcast of the Today Show in America.
- According to (S. Lee, 2012), In ‘Psy catches the eye of Swiss media’ the news was that a Swiss columnist
mentioned Psy in his column.
- ‘Psy’s Gangnam style arrives in Sweden.
- the titles ‘Psy heats up Australia by dancing with Spice Girls Melanie Brown’ (2012)
- ‘Psy, Britney Spears and Ellen Degeneres horse ride dance on Ellen show’. (S. Ho,
- 2012; Jeon, 2012)
- KTO talks about Gangnam style tour packages which allows people to visit Gangnam in Seoul. (“Novotel now
offering Gangnam style tour package, 2012).

12. BTS (Beyond The
Scenes/Bangtan Boys)

13. BTS was able to overtake pop superstars like
Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Ariana Grande
and Selena Gomez and capture the Top Social
Artist award, presented by ION360, during the
2017 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night
(May 21).
BTS's second full album 'WINGS' set a new record
for being listed in the top ten
of Billboard's 'World Albums' chart for 18
consecutive weeks.
According to Billboard's most
recent 'World Albums' chart published on
February 14 2017, BTS' 'WINGS' took 8th place.

15. BTS broke record as
K-pop artist on the
List of most viewed
online videos in the
first 24 hours

17. Collaboration with Western Artist (The Chainsmokers)
The Chainsmokers​
The Chainsmokers produced the song for BTS Love
Yourself Album : Her
Andrew Taggart: "Yeah, we worked on the track 'Best of
Me,' which is an idea that we came up with for the music.
And we sent it to them, and they turned it into this amazing
song. And we're super honored to be a part of the album,
and we're super stoked for them. Best of luck. I know it's
gonna be amazing. You guys are already the No. 1 artist in
the world, but I guess congrats."

18. [Spotify Top Streamed Artists, 09/22]

19. Love Yourself 承 'Her’ debuts at #16 in
Norwegian Top 40 Official Albums Chart.

20.  BTS entering United Kingdom Chart Entry
According to NAVER (September 24, 2017), This are summaries regarding United Kingdom Chart Entry:
 The British chart bears special meaning to K-pop Groups unlike United States Billboard chart due to how
British’s charts are different with its symbolism and characteristics.
 UK charts generally are reserved in South Korea and overseas artist and a conservative country which is UK with
biased viewpoint of the country preferred their own artist in the chart.
 BTS’s attempt to fuse EDM genre (which is famous in UK and US charts of song) with their localized rhythm &
musical language of K-pop genre, “DNA”’s uses of modern and complex musical arrangements allowing it to
enter and succeed in the British charts.
 Therefore, the results of innovation glocalizing it with EDM genre song while maintaining K-pop style of song
makes BTS obtained success in British charts and also a result of exceptional (World class) Big Hit Entertainment
producers such as Bang Shi-hyuk and BTS highly perfected production process.