Why Is K-Pop So Famous? A Newbie's Guide Into The World Of Korean Pop

If you have been shining through the city with a little funk and soul, and have been lighting up like dynamite then I’d like to welcome you to the world of K-Pop.

While BTS is all the rage now, there’s a world beyond them that may deepen your love for the Bangtan boys and all things coming from South Korea.

Blastin’ some K-Pop

If you’ve been dancing to “Dynamite” the past few weeks, then you may want to unearth some more K-Pop treasures. The list is long and many of these artists offer a music style so distinct that they left their own dent in the K-Pop world.

If you want some wicked girl power music, Blackpink may suit your taste. This four-member group consists of Lisa, Jennie, Rosé and Jisoo. They were featured on Lady Gaga’s “Sour Candy” and recently released a collaboration with Selena Gomez entitled “Ice Cream.”

Those looking for more than dance music should give Day6 a chance. This quintet plays and produces their own songs. “Congratulations” is the band’s first single and would be a good place to start and discover why many Koreans and K-Pop fans are smitten over these boys.

If you want to explore other boy bands from Seoul, you should check out Seventeen, EXO, NCT and Stray Kids.

A feast for the eyes

Aside from music, Korea is also gaining a reputation for producing binge-watch worthy shows. Like K-Pop, there’s something to pique your interest -- even the oddest ones.

There’s something for those who like gore and suspense with Netflix’s “Kingdom.” The series is set in early-day Korea’s Joseon era where we see its crown prince struggling to play well in the kingdom’s politics while trying to contain a zombie epidemic engulfing the peninsula.

If you’re into rom-com, you should catch “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.” This sports-themed TV series combines all that you used to love with The CW shows but with an Asian twist. The show tells the story of two friends who discovered that they liked each other while working hard to reach their goal of belonging to Korea’s national teams.

Seoul of fashion

Of course, your Hallyu experience will not be complete without a dash of K-fashion and K-beauty. It is the next step to take for your Korean obsession. After seeing all those beautiful faces, it’s high time for you to shine as well.

Beauty brands from the country are what’s hot in the cosmetics and personal care scene nowadays. Mint74 brings you all the best and the latest beauty product craze straight from Seoul. This website carries a wide range of products -- from face masks to moisturizers and eye creams -- you name it, they got it! It houses all famous brands from Korea including Innisfree, Laneige and SKINFOOD.

You can head on over to the site’s “Best” page to check out some of their top products -- like a toner pad from Forestheal, face masks from The Face Shop and collagen masks from Mediheal.

“Thanks to all the rain yesterday!”

For those of you living under a rock, that is a quote from the biggest thing that came out of South Korea last year. "Parasite" made a name for the Korean film industry last year when it won the Academy Award for Best Picture. This masterpiece from director Bong Joon-ho shows the great inequality existing not only in Korea’s Seoul but in most parts of the world as well.

For those who want a lighter recommendation, there’s “Miss Granny,” a masterpiece infused with fantasy -- telling the journey of a woman in her late age who discovers love like she’s in her teenage years.

And there’s the classic “My Sassy Girl.” This film shows how Korean film and TV eventually captured the hearts of those who don’t even know a single word of Korean. Starring Jun Ji-hyun and Cha Tae-hyun, the film centers on Tae-hyun’s character finding love at an unexpected time of his life.

Immerse Yourself

BTS and K-Pop in general are just the tip of a huge iceberg. There’s a lot more to discover, if you’re ready and willing, in the wonderful Korean pop culture craze.