Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
placeholder article
placeholder article

Korean Pop Reaches American Shores

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TCNJ chapter.

When you think of “pop music,” what’s the first thing that comes into your head? Is it Katy Perry and Justin Bieber? Or do you take it back old school and think N’Sync and Backstreet Boys? Well these big names may soon be replaced by names like Girls’ Generation, Big Bang and 2NE1.

If you’re wondering why that would happen or who they are, then you need to hear of the phenomenon that’s rocking the world, it’s known as k-pop (Korean pop).

Aside from their music, these South Korean artists are gaining fame in the U.S. because of their fashionable image, flashy dance moves, and most importantly, the gorgeous idols!

Have you wondered who else can top the popularity charts on YouTube aside from LMFAO and Justin Bieber? Well, Girls’ Generation and their hit song “The Boys” managed to grab the third spot on YouTube and were even mentioned on E! News. 

Still unsure of k-pop’s growing popularity in the states? Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas was very impressed by girl group 2NE1 and expressed that he would like to work with them. Now that is making a serious impression!

K-pop sensation, Wonder Girls, was the opening act for the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009. How many people get to say they opened up a Jonas Brothers concert and managed to debut their song “Nobody” on the Billboard Hot 100?

K-pop may be the musical trend that pop music needs after all of the boy/girl groups just disappeared off the face of the earth. The only difference is that this time it’s in another language but equally just as fun. With more and more k-pop artist making appearances in American media, it’s a great idea to get ahead of the curve and maybe even discover another great genre of music!

Jessica is one half of the fantastic duo founding Her Campus on the leafy suburban campus that is The College of New Jersey. A Journalism major and Communications minor in the Class of 2012, she is a native of Pennsylvania and an adoptive resident of New Jersey. That's why she can't fist pump, but can pump gas. Before Her Campus, Jessica was a newspaper reporter, communications assistant and world traveler, having studied and interned abroad in London. When she's not writing or talking up a storm, Jessica can be found bargain shopping, catching up on a good book, fiddling with her camera or attempting to stay in shape. Other passions include hummus, tickling those ivories on the piano, meeting new people and all things Her Campus.