BTS’ Jimin makes waves in the Billboard and UK Singles Chart; is K-Pop finally at its mainstream juncture?

There is no doubt a sense of vindication for a number of K-Pop stans who have embraced the musical genre and all of its tropes after this weekend. One of the scene’s most popular acts, BTS, and their member Jimin have been in the spotlight once again, this time off the strength that the K-Pop singers latest single, Like Crazy, has sent him debuting at number one of the Billboard Hot 100 - the first South Korean solo performer to achieve such a feat.

But in the slightly tougher nut to crack, the UK Top 40 Singles Charts, to a population that at the moment aren’t quite as “in touch” with K-Pop in terms of the mainstream zeitgeist North America is, Jimin has scored a pretty impressive debut at eight in the chart; the last time a Korean artist landed in the top ten to our recollection would be Psy’s earworm “Gangnam Style.” 

That’s not to say however that UK audiences aren’t as familiar with the K-Pop movement, featuring BTS and BLACKPINK, as BTS have landed six number one records in the United States. With the group only falling behind Taylor Swift as the biggest selling artist in 2022, that one of their members has only now scored a top 10 single does seem to lend itself to suggest that perhaps we as a music-enjoying nation aren’t quite versed in K-Pop?

Though K-pop is still a niche genre in the US compared to mainstream American pop music, its popularity and influence continue to grow and expand, and it has become a significant part of the American music landscape. Given Jimin’s solo success in the United Kingdom, this might finally earn him a place at the big table in terms of the UK’s popular music genres - though K-Pop fans in the British Isles will attest it’s already happened. 

So before young members of your family ask you questions about their new favourite pop act, who hail from Seoul and have gone on a small hiatus due to military duty (which is currently why BTS are on hiatus due to national military service in South Korean still mandatory), Peopleworld has some flashcards to help you bluff your way through that conversation. 

1992 - the year K-Pop broke in South Korea

K-pop originated in South Korea in the 1990s, but its roots can be traced back to the 1920s when Western music was first introduced to the country. The first K-pop song is considered to be "Nan Arayo" by Seo Taiji and Boys, released in 1992, which combined elements of rap, rock, and techno. Taiji was initially a musician for a South Korean metal band, Sinawe, during the ‘80s, which was a popular Western influence at the time - but with pop becoming bigger in the ‘90s, South Korean musicians took note.

Perhaps the biggest South Korean success to come out of the country and make an impact on the international scene goes back to 2012, with the release of “Gangnam Style” by Psy? Complete with ornate dance moves and a catchy, pulsing beat, Psy’s efforts took the worldwide charts by storm and demonstrated that you could still sing about your own culture’s identity in your native tongue and achieve chart success. A feature of Bad Bunny’s incredible career so far, refusing to bow to the pressures of releasing music in the English tongue.

While idol bands in Japan were still popular yet viewed in a maverick way as something a little too eastern for Western audiences, that did not stop “K-Pop” as it was being referred to becoming embraced by pockets of webizens. Never had access to international waters been so easy since the advent of the internet, and the rise of artists such as BTS and EXO followed the trail that Psy had blazed shortly beforehand. 

From their colourful fashion, sharply created promotional works and synchronised dance routines, of course BTS would find favour across social media. Having maintained their relationship with fans through the use of Instagram and TikTok, both social media platforms provided casual users a glimpse into the world of K-Pop through viral means.

This would also lead to communities of K-Pop fans rising up online, not only sharing the virtues of the genre but also rallying around internet activism - such as bombarding Twitter threads of controversial figures or controversial takes with K-Pop images and memes to destroy whatever the original reason for an article was trending for. 

For one of the biggest K-Pop acts, BTS (a name you should start becoming more familiar with once military service has completed for the other members) their breakthrough moment in the West came in 2017 with their performance at the American Music Awards, which marked the first time a K-pop group had performed on a major US awards show. This led to increased exposure for the group, as well as a surge in streaming and sales of their music.

BTS’ popularity and mainstream acceptance in the United States led to other appearances on television in the country, including a much vaunted appearance on Saturday Night Live in 2019, with host Emma Stone. For a South Korean artist to feature on a show that is considered a pop culture mecca (or at least was) was validation that many in the West were ready to receive them. 

Which then led to other K-Pop fans being discovered akin to the great Seattle music race during the heyday of grunge in the ‘90s. Unlike that smash-and-grab attempt to cash in on the trend, there was a lot more quality control when it came to K-Pop; and of the names alongside BTS to familiarise yourself with are:

Without a doubt, BLACKPINK are set to be the next K-Pop band more people within the UK will become familiar with. Known for hits like "DDU-DU DDU-DU," "Kill This Love," and "How You Like That," which have become viral sensations around the world. They have also collaborated with Western artists like Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez, further raising their profile in the international music scene.

In addition to their music, BLACKPINK is known for their stylish and trend-setting fashion, as well as their involvement in various philanthropic causes. They have become one of the most popular and influential K-pop acts in the world, with a dedicated fan base known as BLINKs.

• EXO, who blew up alongside BTS, is  a nine-member boy group known for their powerful vocals and intricate choreography. They have achieved chart-topping success in Korea and China, and have a dedicated fanbase around the world.

• NCT are a unique K-pop group with a rotating lineup that allows for different sub-units and collaborations, similar to the idol scene in Japan. They are known for their experimental sound and boundary-pushing music videos.

• Red Velvet is a five-member girl group known for their versatile sound, from upbeat pop songs to sultry R&B tracks. They have achieved success both in Korea and internationally, and are known for their unique concept and visual style.

• TWICE, a nine-member girl group known for their infectious pop anthems and charming personalities. They have achieved great success in both Korea and Japan, and have a growing international fanbase.

Though K-Pop has continued to build a fanbase in the West through multiple chart-topping albums, sold-out tours, and high-profile collaborations with Western artists like Halsey and Ed Sheeran, there still feels to the every person that casually has the radio on that K-Pop is still somewhat of a niche genre. 

However, given Jimin’s recent success, we can wager that radio will be embracing a lot more of this trend now that it’s been proven in the UK at least to be monetarily lucrative.