K-pop - The International Rise of the Korean Music Industry

JungBong Choi, Roald Maliangkay

Reasons why read this book

To comprehend the profound global ascendancy of K-pop, this book by JungBong Choi and Roald Maliangkay meticulously examines its cultural, political, and fan-driven dynamics, revealing how a once-peripheral culture became a pervasive global force.

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Synopsis

K-pop, famously identified by Time Magazine in 2012 as "South Korea’s greatest export," has achieved a remarkably rapid and widespread global audience of dedicated fans. This phenomenon has largely been propelled by its pervasive distribution across the Internet, leveraging digital platforms and social media to bypass traditional media gatekeepers and reach diverse populations worldwide with unprecedented speed. This comprehensive book undertakes a thorough examination of the K-pop phenomenon, delving into the multifaceted reasons behind its unparalleled success. It meticulously analyzes both the intricate national and broader transnational conditions that have collectively contributed to K-pop’s dramatic ascendancy on the global stage. The study explores how these conditions are intricately linked to South Korea's unique trajectory of post-colonial modernization, the evolving dynamics of post-Cold War politics within East Asia, the significant role played by connections with the extensive Korean diaspora in facilitating early adoption and spread, and the deliberate, state-initiated campaign aimed at accumulating soft power through cultural diplomacy and promotion. With a particular emphasis on the critical roles of fandom and cultural agency, the book undertakes a detailed analysis of fan practices, their distinctive discourses, and the underlying psychologies that shape these communities. This analysis considers both their expression within specific local habitus and their evolution within the expanding, interconnected topographies of global online networks. Ultimately, the book addresses fundamental questions regarding the extent to which "Asian culture" can achieve a truly meaningful global reach and influence, and critically examines the profound transformation of popular culture originating from a nation once perceived as culturally peripheral into a pervasive and influential global phenomenon.

Book information

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K-pop - The International Rise of the Korean Music Industry, written by JungBong Choi, Roald Maliangkay and published on 15-09-2014, is included in our catalog for information queries and ebook downloads in epub or pdf format.

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