[K-Correspondent] Hallyu beyond borders how K-pop is growing in Sweden and Northern Europe

Time now for our K-Correspondent segment, where we go over abroad to talk about K-wave issues.

And we are going to do that now with our co-host Bella Kim.

Hi Soa! Happy to be here for today's special show!

Happy to have you.

The global popularity of K-pop is present in almost every corner of the world. Today our attention is on Northern Europe. BTS, BLACKPINK, and recently even the fictional K-pop groups of the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" are gaining huge popularity in the region. Let's find out how K-pop is establishing itself in Northern Europe. For that, we connect live with Professor Tobias Plebuch, a senior lecturer at the Department of Musicology at Uppsala University in Sweden. Hello, Professor Plebuch!

Q1. Professor Plebuch, could you please introduce yourself to our viewers and also tell us how you got into K-pop?

Q2. We just talked about the astounding popularity of "KPop Demon Hunters," have you watched the film? And do the songs like "Golden" and "Soda Pop" also have a place on music charts in Sweden right now?

Q3. What kind of K-pop music and which artists are particularly popular in Northern Europe these days?

Q4. Recently, not only interest in K-pop, but Korean dramas, movies, and food have been growing significantly in Sweden and other Northern European countries. What changes stand out the most in terms of the recognition of the Korean wave when compared to the past?

Q5. Back in June, Europe's first K-pop symposium was held in Stockholm, alongside a K-pop festival. Please tell us what was discussed at the symposium and how would you assess the sociocultural influence of K-pop today?

Q6. Sweden is particularly renowned for its melody-centric songwriting and systematic music education. Swedish composers have been involved in K-pop songs by BTS, Twice, Red Velvet, and others. How do you think the music cultures of Korea and Sweden complement each other so well?

Q7. What is it about K-pop and Korean content that's so appealing to local fans in Sweden and Northern Europe?

Q8. What do you think is important for K-pop to become more deeply rooted in Northern Europe in the future? Do you have any personal hopes or expectations?

Thank you very much Professor Plebuch for your insights and we look forward to not only a further expansion of K-pop in Sweden and in northern Europe, but also lots of cooperation in the field of music with Swedish artists and composers.