If you have seen people around the school wearing the same Exo sweater, but with different names on the back, they are probably interested in K-pop, which stands for Korean pop, a type of music that originated in South Korea which incorporates elements of Western pop, dance, electronic, R&B, and hip hop.

Many people think K-pop is just some Asian guys or girls singing and dancing, but don’t understand why international people like it.

“I like K-pop because it’s something different,” said junior Laura Aleu. “It’s not something anyone can listen to.” Junior Cesar Cano likes the six girl group A-pink because of their innocent and cute style.

Junior Nathaly Cuevas said, “K-pop is very different from American music. K-pop is more upbeat and entertaining for me, and their lyrics are meaningful. Also the idols aren’t there just to make money. They actually want to make people feel something while listening to them whether it’s a happy or sad song.”

Most people discover k-pop through someone else. Junior Bryan Avila found out about it because his friend is obsessed with it. Junior Elizabeth Davila found out about K-pop by watching a K-pop reaction on YouTube.”

Because of k-pop’s growing popularity not only in the USA but all around the world, more people are starting to like it. And if they don’t, they have probably already heard about it. According to the article, “The root of the K-pop: The influences of Today’s Biggest Acts” by Jessica Oak and Park Young Woong posted on the Billboard website, “K-pop fans are no longer exclusively Korean speakers. One can conduct a simple search and find the lyrics to K-pop songs translated by fans in Arabic, French, English and more.”

People can listen to K-pop by downloading albums online or going to YouTube to listen to their favorite groups. “To buy K-pop merchandise, kpoptown.com is a great site to use! Miami even used to have a physical K-pop store till it re-located somewhere a little farther,” said Nathaly Cuevas.

Some groups have concerts here in the USA. Exo, one of K-pop’s biggest acts, is having their first North American tour in early 2016. They will be heading to four American cities and one Canadian city, but not to Miami.  Groups not only hold concerts but fan meetings where they can interact with their international fans.