The Saja Boys and the Evolution of Korea’s Grim Reaper in Pop Culture

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From Ghost Stories to K-pop: The Rise of the Saja Boys The recent debut of the “Saja Boys,” a fictional K-pop group from the Netflix animated film “K-pop Demon Hunters,” has sparked widespread recognition and discussion among Korean viewers. Their striking appearance—floor-length black hanbok, wide-brimmed hats, and pale, painted faces—immediately evokes the image of the … Read more

When Neoliberalism Meets K-pop

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The Commodification of Fandom The Rise of Paid Communication Platforms K-pop fandom has evolved dramatically over the past decade, with the introduction of paid communication platforms fundamentally changing the way fans interact with their idols. Today, platforms such as Bubble, Phoning, and Fromm allow fans to pay a monthly fee to receive messages from their … Read more

The Future of K-Drama

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Building Symbiotic Partnerships with Global Streaming Giants The Crossroads of the Korean Drama Industry The Korean drama industry is facing a pivotal moment. As the global popularity of K-dramas continues to soar, industry leaders and experts are calling for urgent reforms to ensure that Korean production companies maintain their creative independence and intellectual property rights, … Read more

K-pop’s Crisis

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Can the Industry Survive Without Its Biggest Stars? The Current State of the K-pop Industry K-pop, once hailed as an unstoppable global phenomenon, is now facing a significant crisis. For the first time in a decade, record sales have dropped, signaling a turning point for the industry. In 2023, K-pop album sales exceeded 100 million … Read more

The Rise of ‘Classic Hip’

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How Gen Z is Embracing Classical Music From Elite Hobby to Trendy Choice Classical music, once seen as an exclusive pastime for older generations, is now becoming a hip trend among Gen Z. Social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have played a crucial role in making classical music more accessible and appealing. Young … Read more