logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
45m 6s

K-Pop's Surprising B(l)ackstory

NPR
About this episode
K-pop disrupted pop culture in South Korea in the early 1990s, and later found fans around the world. Vivian Yoon was one of those fans, growing up thousands of miles away in Koreatown, Los Angeles. This week, we're sharing an episode of In K-Pop Dreaming, the second season of LAist's California Love podcast. In it, Yoon takes listeners on a journey to learn about the history behind the music that had defined her childhood.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Yesterday
Freedom through the eyes of foes: Rev. Martin Luther King and Sen. Barry Goldwater
In honor of MLK Day, we sit down with historian Nicholas Buccola, author of One Man’s Freedom, to re-examine the concept of "freedom" by comparing the legacies of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and conservative politician Barry Goldwater. In our conversation, Buccola reveals the ... Show More
22m 21s
Jan 14
Venezuela and the long tradition of US interference
The U.S. ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is just the latest chapter in a long, troubling history of American intervention in Latin America. NPR immigration correspondent Jasmine Garsd brings us to the New York courthouse where President Maduro was indicted by the U ... Show More
33m 13s
Jan 10
Jelani Cobb talks democracy, Trumpism, and the future of journalism
2026 is off to an intense start, but many of the events we're seeing play out today come out of dynamics that have been building for years. Jelani Cobb, a journalist, historian, and the Dean of Columbia's journalism school, talks to us about his new book, Three of More is a Riot ... Show More
18m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2021
The K-Pop Wave
Since 2012, Korean pop culture has captured the imagination of people across the Middle East: from K-pop and K-dramas to Korean language classes and even to Korean fried chicken. It's everywhere!But how did we become so obsessed with a culture so different from our own? And how m ... Show More
36m 24s
Jun 2023
A Look at the K-Pop Industry and Its Global Fandom | Beyond the Scenes
K-Pop has had loyal Korean fanbases for decades and has made a global impact over time. The intimate relationships cultivated between K-Pop idols and their fans speak to the power of this method of entertainment. Daily Show segment producer Sabrina Lee and postdoctoral associate ... Show More
56m 18s
Apr 2020
The Dark Story of K-Pop
<p>Korean pop music, or K-pop, originated in South Korea but has become a powerful, global phenomenon. This multi-billion dollar industry manufacturers scores of pitch-perfect idols and groups, performers who become lead trendsetters in the world of fashion, dance, music and more ... Show More
1h 1m
Aug 2023
What NewJeans Tells Us About the Future of K-Pop
On today’s show, Candice is joined by Vivian Yoon, the writer and host of K-Pop Dreaming. They dissect the hype surrounding K-pop viral sensation NewJeans, talk about the musical influences that make them stand out, and share their own experiences growing up with K-pop.This podca ... Show More
36m 38s
Jun 2021
K-pop, K-dramas, and K-fever: Why Korean Culture is Booming
In this episode, Dr. Anderson, a South Korean media studies and popular culture expert at George Mason University, tells us how Hallyu - or the Korean Wave - led to the globalization of Korean culture. We discuss how K-pop music and Korean dramas gained worldwide popularity, anal ... Show More
26m 43s
Jul 2019
What BTS's "Boy With Love" ft. Halsey Can Teach Us About K-pop
How should we listen to K-pop? This music has become a global phenomenon, charting on the Billboard Hot 100, taking over social media feeds, and touring the world. In particular, the group BTS has captured the ears of millions, building an Army of fans along the way. As uninitiat ... Show More
39m 53s
Oct 2020
What is K-Pop?
What is K-Pop? Thanks for asking! On October 15th, Big Hit Entertainment debuted on the Korean stock exchange. If you’re not familiar with the company itself, you’re more likely to have heard of BTS, one of the bands they created. In barely 24 hours, the success of the IPO had e ... Show More
4m 57s
Oct 2022
Ronny Chieng Teaches You About K-Pop
The signature elements of K-Pop? Next level dance choreography and being Asian. Ronny Chieng digs into how K-Pop is used to boost Korea's cultural profile and economy, and its worldwide impact today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad ch ... Show More
6m 57s
Sep 2018
Why BTS Became the Breakthrough K-Pop Act in America
BTS is the focus of the latest episode of the Pop Shop Podcast, as the Pop Shop team dives into why the South Korean group became the breakout stars for the K-pop genre in the U.S. Billboard contributor and K-pop expert Jeff Benjamin joins the show to discuss all things BTS and K ... Show More
39m 15s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami