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What Is Kpop? From Seo Taiji in 1992 to BTS at No. 1

Musicians performing on stage at a night concert featuring vibrant lights and energetic atmosphere (what is kpop)

The answer to what is kpop starts in 1992: it’s South Korean pop music, rebuilt since then around idol groups that agencies train for years before debut. What sets it apart from American or British pop is the package. A K-pop release bundles a song, a choreography, a music video, a visual concept and a fan campaign, and all of it is timed to land in the same week.