K-pop

K-boom! How the unstoppable stars of K-pop went gunning for the art world

First came K-cinema, then K-pop and K-TV. Now South Korea’s young stars are conquering the world with K-art. But what do their dark visions say about their nation’s psyche – and ours?

Stuart Jeffries

13, Oct, 2021 @5:00 AM

K-beauty, hallyu and mukbang: dozens of Korean words added to Oxford English Dictionary

New additions highlight Korean culture wave as interest in the country’s food, fashion and entertainment spreads

Justin McCurry in Tokyo

05, Oct, 2021 @4:18 AM

‘It’s cooler to hang Lennon’s guitar than a Picasso’: pop culture wins out at auctions

Sales of items from celebrities such as Janet Jackson and K-poppers BTS are trending – and reframing what goes under the hammer

Priya Elan

26, May, 2021 @11:21 AM

BTS's Korean record label buys Justin Bieber management company

Ithaca, owned by Scooter Braun, also manages artists such as Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato

Rupert Neate

02, Apr, 2021 @1:07 PM

Brit awards nominations 2021: Dua Lipa, Arlo Parks and Celeste lead improved field for women

Women dominate British album category, while more than half the nominees in key categories are non-white

Laura Snapes

31, Mar, 2021 @3:30 PM

BTS condemn anti-Asian racism: 'We feel grief and anger'

Following the Atlanta shootings, the K-pop group shared their experiences of discrimination and called for respect and solidarity

Laura Snapes

30, Mar, 2021 @9:40 AM

This week's new tracks: Beabadoobee, King Kofi and Rosé

This week we’ve got sunshine indie rock, subtly political R&B and a synthy, slinky K-pop number

Kate Solomon

26, Mar, 2021 @11:00 AM

Why bands are disappearing: 'Young people aren’t excited by them'

Maroon 5’s Adam Levine was scoffed at for suggesting there ‘aren’t any bands any more’ – but if you look at the numbers, he’s right. Wolf Alice, Maximo Park and industry insiders ask why

Dorian Lynskey

18, Mar, 2021 @2:58 PM

K-pop star Sowon apologises for posing with 'Nazi mannequin'

GFriend band member deletes photos taken on video shoot with figure dressed in German military uniform

Justin McCurry in Tokyo

02, Feb, 2021 @7:06 AM

AI and K-pop at the festival of Korean movers and shakers

Dancers learn routines from an algorithm and we get a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse of K-pop choreography as the Place’s festival moves online

Lyndsey Winship

04, Dec, 2020 @8:30 PM

BTS become first K-pop act to receive a Grammy nomination

The boy band hail the ‘miracle’ of being shortlisted for their single Dynamite alongside artists such as Justin Bieber

Justin McCurry in Tokyo

25, Nov, 2020 @4:38 AM

Map of the soul: how BTS rewrote the western pop rulebook

Contrary to their dismissive framing as manufactured robots, South Korea’s BTS use social media, documentary and storytelling to make themselves into profoundly human stars

Katie Hawthorne

18, Nov, 2020 @3:31 PM