[Kulture Issue] Non-Korean K-pop groups and K-pop localization

K-pop groups without Korean members? Seems like a new trend, as K-pop idol groups are not confined to just one or two foreign members anymore. There are even groups that are almost entirely composed of foreign nationals and they are increasingly successful in the global K-pop industry. This change is demonstrating how K-pop is not just pop music done by Koreans, but a genre of its own. Let's delve deeper into K-pop localization with Claire Marie Lim, music technologist, artist, and faculty member at Berklee College of Music. Hello Claire!

Q1. Claire, let's begin by explaining the term "K-pop localization" and some background on how multinational K-pop groups were born.

Q2. So, let's talk a bit about some of the groups that fit into this category and that we should keep an eye out for. (ex: Katseye, dearALICE, XG, NiziU, etc.)

Q3. What elements of K-pop do you think have played a big role in the success of groups like Katseye and what's the relation between the rise in these groups and the global expansion of K-pop?

Q4. Major entertainment agencies are applying their K-pop methodologies on these multinational groups, including production methods and training systems. How are these being applied effectively on the global stage?

Q5. Are there any challenges though in applying Korean systems to groups that have members from such diverse cultural backgrounds?

Q6. What are the most important things to consider in K-pop localization?

Q7. What are your thoughts on the further expansion of K-pop localization?

And what are the challenges lying ahead?

Thank you very much Claire for your insights today.

Thank you Walter. We'll see you back tomorrow.