Ostasien Aktuell What is “K”? Hybridity, Identity, and Global Perceptions of K-Pop

This talk explores how the meaning and boundaries of K-pop are shaped through the interaction of musical hybridity, industrial structure, and audience recognition. Thorugh comparisons with Swedish pop, Latin pop, and world music, it argues that K-pop is not defined by fixed musical, linguistic, or ethnic characteristics. Instead, its distinctiveness lies in the “agency-idol system”, an integrated business model based on long-term training, synchronized choreography, audiovisual storytelling, and coordinated multimedia strategies. The talk also examines how the “K” functions as a flexible signifier: representing national identity for domestic audiences, cosmopolitan modernity for global fans, and cultural visibility for diasporic communities. By reframing K-pop as both a cultural product and an institutional practice, the talk hightlights its significance as a cultural phenomenon shaped by hybridity, globalization, and identity.