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Questions to Discuss in Pairs​​

​1. Why do you think K-pop has become so popular worldwide, even among people who do not understand Korean?

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2. Many K-pop songs mix Korean, English, and Japanese lyrics. Do you prefer songs sung entirely in English, or do you like hearing a mix of languages?

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3. Do you think the success of K-pop inspires people to learn more about Korean culture, food, fashion, and language?

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Read these terms and say aloud with a partner.

Title Track
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music track

Visual Concept
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KPOP Visual concept

Choreography
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Idol dancing

It-girl
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KPOP it-girl

Discography
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discography

A Chart-Topper
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chart topper

Global Phenomenon
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KPOP Globe

Record Label Subsidiary
Click to reveal!

KPOP Record label

Bias
Click to reveal!

girl who is a sullyoon bias

B-Side
Click to reveal!

music track
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BLACK PINK

  • Record Label: YG

  • Generation: 3rd  

  • Members (4): Jennie, Lisa, Rose & Jisoo 

  • Leader: None (although Jennie is often considered the “It Girl” for all Gen 3 female idols due to her immense popularity and influence)

  • Three Hit Songs: “How do you like that?”, “DDU-DU DDU-DU" &  "Kill This Love"

Formed by YG Entertainment in 2016, BLACKPINK soared to stardom, becoming the most successful Kpop girl group of all-time. 

 

The four-member powerhouse became a global phenomenon as the highest-charting female Korean act on the Billboard Hot 100 while also breaking many streaming records. 

TWICE

  • Record Label: JYP

  • Generation: 3rd  

  • Members (9): Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, & Tzuyu 

  • Leader: Jihyo Park 

  • Three Hit Songs: "TT", "Fancy" & "What is Love?"

Debuting through the reality survival show SIXTEEN in 2015 under JYP Entertainment, TWICE earned the title of "The Nation's Girl Group" in South Korea thanks to their catchy pop melodies and viral choreography. 

 

Over their decade-long career,  the tight-knit nine-member group has evolved from teen crush concept icons into a more mature massive global act with historic world tours. Their iconic music video “Likey” was filmed in Vancouver, Canada. 

 

Several members, such as Group leader Jihyo and lead vocalist Nayeon have both launched successful solo projects, while the group’s three Japanese members, Mina, Sana & Momo, toured as the sub-unit MISAMO.

AESPA

  • Record Label: SM

  • Generation: 4th  

  • Members (4): Karina, Winter, Ningning & Giselle

  • Leader: Karina

  • Three Hit Songs: “Black Mamba”, "Spicy" & "Drama"

SM girl group Aespa debuted in 2020 with a groundbreaking futuristic concept centered on digital avatars and a shared virtual universe. 

 

Their hard-hitting synth-pop sound, combined with signature choreography that frequently went viral, quickly established them as one of K-pop's leading fourth-generation groups. Beyond powerful title tracks, the group demonstrated their versatility through smooth R&B-inspired songs such as "Thirsty," showcasing a more melodic artistry. 

RED VELVEt

  • Record Label: SM

  • Generation: 3rd  

  • Members (5): Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri

  • Leader: Irene

  • Three Hit Songs: "Psycho", "Bad Boy" & "Red Flavor"

Known for their dual creative identity, Red Velvet balances bright, quirky pop songs (through their "Red" concept ) with smooth, sultry R&B tracks (with their "Velvet" concept). 

 

Since their 2014 debut, the SM Entertainment group has earned critical acclaim for their experimental music videos and vocal harmonies. 

 

The group’s main vocalist Wendy attended elementary and high school in Canada.

New JEANS

  • ​Record Label: ADOR/HYBE

  • Generation: 4th 

  • Members: Minji, Hanni, Haerin, Danielle & Hyein 

  • Leader: None (Minji is, however, often the group’s spokesperson) 

  • Three Hit Songs: "Hype Boy", "OMG" & "Super Shy"

Debuting under HYBE subsidiary ADOR in 2022, NewJeans instantly reshaped the 4th generation K-pop landscape with their nostalgic 1990s and Y2K sound.

 

Their upbeat energetic tracks like "Hype Boy" and "OMG" became global viral sensations, making them one of the fastest K-pop acts to achieve international chart dominance. 

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LE SSERAFIM

  • Record Label: Source Music/HYBE

  • Generation: 4th

  • Leader: Chaewon

  • Members (5): Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, Kazuha & Eunchae. (Former member: Kim Garam)

  • Three hit songs: "ANTIFRAGILE", "FEARLESS" & "SPAGHETTI"

Formed in 2022 under Source Music/HYBE, LE SSERAFIM quickly established a massive global fanbase thanks to their high energy beats, edgy lyrics, and complex dance choreography.

 

 The group’s name LE SSERAFIM is an anagram of the phrase "I'm Fearless” , and they accordingly built their brand around themes of self-confidence, fearlessness, and resilience. 

IVE

  • ​Record Label: Starship Entertainment 

  • Generation: 4th

  • Leader: Yujin 

  • Members: Wonyoung, Yujin, Gaeul, Liz, Rei & Leeso

  • Three hit songs: "LOVE DIVE", "ELEVEN" & "I AM"

Debuting in late 2021 under Starship Entertainment , IVE took the music industry by storm with a run of back-to-back mega-hits, including "ELEVEN" & "LOVE DIVE", that dominated South Korean music charts. 

 

Known for their sophisticated style and strong stage presence, IVE swept major end-of-year award ceremonies and emerged one of the defining 4th generation girl groups. 

 

Although Yujin is the official leader of IVE, the group’s center Wonyoung has a larger devoted fanbase and is widely recognized as the “It-Girl” of the entire 4th Generation of KPOP. 

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(G)-IDLE

  • Record Label: Source Music/HYBE

  • Generation: 4th

  • Leader: Soyeon

  • Members: Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua (Former member: Soojin) 

  • Three hit songs: "Tomboy", "Queencard" & "Nxde"

Formed in 2018 under CUBE Entertainment, I-dle , formerly known as “(G)I-DLE”, is a unique girl group, recognized for its members' deep involvement in writing and producing their own discography. 

 

The group has gained critical acclaim and released multiple chart-topping hits with bold lyrics and distinctive sound.

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Girls' Generation (SNSD)

  • Record Label: SM Entertainment

  • Generation: 2nd 

  • Leader: Taeyeon

  • Members (8): Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun (Former member: Jessica)

  • Three hit songs: "Gee", "I Got a Boy" &"Genie (Tell Me Your Wish)"

Girl’s Generation (also known as “SNSD”) earned the title of "The Nation's Girl Group" for  Gen 2 KPOP. 

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Renowned for vocal range, fun choreography, and iconic pop anthems, the group fostered the international expansion of K-pop, building a global fanbase, and inspiring countless other female idols for generations to come. 

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NMIXX

  • Record Label: JYP Entertainment

  • Generation: 4th 

  • Leader: Haewon

  • Members (6): Sullyoon, Lily, Jiwoo, Haewon, Bae & Kyujin (Former member: Jini)

  • Three hit songs: "O.O", "Love me like this" & "DASH"

NMIXX debuted in 2022 under JYP Entertainment, quickly gaining the reputation as one of the most talented strongest live-performing young girl groups in kpop. The group embraced a distinctive musical identity around "MIXX POP," blending multiple genres and styles within a single song. 

 

Following the departure of group member Jini, NMIXX continues to impress a growing fanbase with technical versatility and a unique artistic sound. ​​

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Test your knowledge!

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Pick two of the following questions and share your answer.

  1. In your opinion, what is more important for a K-pop group's success: their live vocal ability, their visual concept or their dance choreography? 

2. How important are platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram in making a new K-pop song go viral?

3. K-pop idols often train for 12 to 16 hours/ day for years before debuting. Do you think this intense system builds discipline, or is it too strict on young performers?

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4. Many K-pop groups frequently change their visual "concept" (such a switching from “cute” to “futuristic”) with each comeback. Do you like when artists experiment with new styles, or should they stick to one signature sound?

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5. In K-pop, groups often face the "seven-year curse," where members disband or leave when their contracts expire. What can groups do to stay popular together for more than a decade like the girl group TWICE ?

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Time: 10 minutes of preparation, followed by 2-minute group pitches and a peer Q&A.

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Instructions: Split the class into small groups (3 to 4 students each). Each group acts as an executive team of Kpop agents pitching a brand new K-pop idol group to one the big 4 record label boards.

 

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KPOP girl group

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Each Group must: 

  • Pick a group name

  • List the number of members and briefly describe the group leader 

  • Pick a KPOP music genre 

  • Describe a visual concept

  • A target market (which listeners are most likely to support this group)

  • Plan a viral marketing strategy 

  • Remember to use at least 3 target vocabulary words from part 2 of this lesson.

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