K-Pop: ISBN 978-1-68282-643-0 / eBook: 978-1-68282-644-7
Booklist, October 1, 2019
If K-pop isn't on your radar yet, it will be, as is made clear in this entry in the Music Scene series (5 titles). South Korea's unique brand of music—a blend of rap, pop hooks, tight harmonies, EDM beats, and smooth R&B vibes—is gaining an increasingly global audience. And it's not just from its catchy music; explosive performances featuring flawless dance routines, beautiful band members that set style trends and have elaborate (often manufactured) backstories, savvy use of social media, and wildly supportive fans combine to drive K-pop's success. This book lays out the genre’s key players, past and present, and how all the above components make K-pop a powerhouse in today’s music scene. Quotes from band members and music journals enliven the text, which is thoroughly sourced and engagingly written.
—Julia Smith