K-Pop: Korea's Musical Explosion

Gr 4–8—Popular music has always been a part of the cultural landscape, from the Beatles, the Jackson Five, and, more currently, One Direction. K-Pop, or Korean Pop, has been a staple in South Korea since the 1960s, but with the arrival of Psy and his "Gangnam Style" video in 2012, it has seen worldwide success and been introduced more prominently into the Western world. This highly accessible text focuses on K-Pop from the 1960s to the modern day, highlighting some of the biggest artists and most influential record labels. Much like K-Pop's fast-paced, bubblegum style, the book is filled with an explosion of colorful photographs that gives readers a glamorized view of the life of a K-Pop artist. Each chapter ends with a mini discography featuring the most popular songs of the artists introduced in the chapter. The addition of a selected bibliography featuring several websites and blogs makes this book a great tool for students wanting to do a report on a fresh and exciting topic. An appealing addition for readers who wish to know more about artists like Psy, Girls' Generation, 2NE1, and Rain.—Krishna Grady, Darien Library, CT