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BTS

"Timeless," by Tiger JK, feat RM.

‘Planet Hip Hop:’ The evolution of Korean rap

Planet Hip Hop

As part of our summer series, “Planet Hip Hop,” we take you to South Korea, where hip-hop found its footing in the 1990s. Haekyung Um has written extensively about Korean pop culture and also teaches global popular music and Asian music industries at the University of Liverpool. She joined The World’s host Marco Werman to talk about the evolution of hip-hop and rap in South Korea. 

Members of BTS standing on a stage with dramatic lighting

The #BTSSyllabus is a global resource fueled by an ARMY of experts

Music
Seven members of K-pop band BTS stand wearing black suits in front of a yellow background that says "BTS Butter"

Dedicated BTS fans buy tickets to join virtual K-pop concert

Music
Women perform on stage in a pop band. One throws her hand in the air.

Can K-pop stars wield their celebrity to influence climate action?

Climate Change
black and white photo of three women and a man standing on stage

60 years before BTS, the Kim Sisters were America’s original K-pop stars

Immigration Rewind
Two young Japanese women are shown with there arms in the air and dancing.

K-pop stardom lures Japanese youth to Korea despite diplomatic chill

Music

A growing number of K-pop star wannabes are coming from Japan. The influx of Japanese talent is reshaping South Korea’s K-pop industry, but comes at a time of increasingly bitter political acrimony between the two countries that has damaged diplomatic ties.