Excerpt from article “The Korean invasion: New Yorkers are screaming for the new wave of pop stars“:

Korean pop is serious business. Since the turn of the millennium South Korea has been pumping out dramas and music videos as a means of influencing the broader culture throughout Asia. South Korean president Lee Myung-bak ranked K-Pop as one of the country’s greatest achievements in an August speech celebrating Korea’s independence from Japan.

K-Pop videos are “just slick, extremely well produced, always have different themes that really capture audiences’ attentions,” says Cedarbough Saeji, a Ph.D. candidate at UCLA in culture and performance with a focus on Korean culture.

“The production value is very sophisticated. Every K-Pop video is as high-quality as any top American act like Lady Gaga or Britney Spears, but the image is a lot cleaner, less sexualization.”

Saeji says one appeal of Korean pop music is that the stars become friends with their audiences. And Korean singers perform multiple times on several TV networks a week.

“People like these Korean stars because they seem like someone they can be friends with,” she says. “They’re taught to be humble, friendly. There’s no diva attitude. And they’re fun.”

This sense of fondness for these artists has everyone from teens in London to singing groups in Vietnam remaking Korean pop songs or emulating their dance moves and fashion styles.

“Social media has definitely impacted how accessible and easy it is to find these groups,” says Young Ji Park, who founded a website dedicated to K-Pop called SeoulBeats.

“Twitter and Facebook have made these groups widely known and Korean pop groups are even featured on the top music videos of the day on YouTube. It’s very visible.”

So eye-catching in fact, that a live K-Pop invasion was inevitable. Here’s one example:

Hip-hop sensation 2NE1, a four-girl group that sings and raps about girl empowerment, has become designer Jeremy Scott‘s muses. Scott created a shoe: the JS Collage Wings x 2NE1, which will debut next month.

The group’s look — high fashion with a colorful, punky twist — has even inspired some updated costumes in the new production of Broadway’s “Rent.”

Rapper and producer will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas fell in love with the group after watching one of their videos online. He’s now producing their first all-English album.

5 MUST-HEAR GROUPS:

Ready to dip your toe into the Korean Wave? Here are the top five South Korean acts that will help immerse you in the world of K-Pop:

2NE1

Unlike other Korean girl groups who capitalize on sex appeal or being saccharine and cutesy, this group rose to the top of the charts for their anthems on girl power and boy bashing. When they aren’t dominating the charts in Korea and Japan, the group — Dara, Bom, Minzy and leader CL — are making a statement in the fashion world. Often described as “fierce,” this fearless foursome express their style through fashion houses like Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Proenza Schouler, Balmain and Jeremy Scott, who has become one of the band’s biggest supporters. Catch them repping South Korea as one of the Best Bands of the World nominated by MTV Iggy.

Download this: “I Am the Best,” a catchy electronic beat with a bass-friendly undertone.

Big Bang

After debuting their signature hip-pop sound in 2006, the five-member team dominated the South Korean charts and later did the same in Japan. First topping the charts with the upbeat single “Lies,” the band has since become one of Asia’s most recognizable acts. And with a collaboration with Major Lazer’s Diplo on one song by members G-Dragon and T.O.P. called “Knockout,” it seems like Asia’s not the only place they’re receiving attention.

Download this: “Tonight,” a perfect mélange of rock and electronica
with a bumping beat.

Super Junior

How do you get attention from tween girls everywhere? Stick as many good-looking guys as possible on a stage. The 12-member Super Junior has already been deemed one of South Korea’s biggest “hallyu” groups by the BBC and they have a far reach of fans from Slovenia to Peru, where they were named one of the 30 “Sexiest Men in the World.” Their heavy pop tracks and slick dance moves have already made them nationwide sensations with an international presence.
Download this: “Sorry, Sorry,” a heavy pop track that comes with entertaining choreography that was once a South Korean craze.

2PM

While other boy bands captured attention through their pretty-boy images, this group capitalizes on their masculine look. Each member sports six-pack abs, regularly revealed onstage to the delight of thousands of screaming fans. The six-member group focuses on heavy acrobatics and intricate dance moves and has become almost Chippendale-like — without the cheesy bow ties.
Download this: “Heartbeat,” a dramatic track that starts out with a melancholy piano riff.

TVXQ

The Backstreet Boys in their heyday have nothing on this band. After some member drama last year, where three performers decided to leave, the two survivors, Max Changmin and U-Know Yunho, carried on. With tight choreography and impressive pipes, this dynamic duo has become the epitome of K-Pop: slick dance moves, stellar musical productions and big voices to boot.
Download this: “Before You Go,” a soft ballad that showcases just how refined and beautiful voices in Korean pop music can be.