K-pop’s Art of Attention: Canadian Repercussions of the Korean Wave in Music

K-pop’s Art of Attention: Canadian Repercussions of the Korean Wave in Music

The aim of the study is to examine the extent of influence the Korean wave, and within the category, K-pop has exerted on Canadian audiences. Employing transculturation theories, synthesizing socio-cultural information, and using concrete examples as illustration, the study will propose reasons for K-pop’s popularity among Canadians. It will be demonstrated that the essential hybridity of the genre, cultural policy making, Canada-bound Korean immigration, international student and tourism demographics, young Canadians’ presence in Korea as exchange students, academics or EFL teachers and the popularity of social media are all influential factors in making K-pop thrive on Canadian soil.