K-pop

[key-pop]

noun

1. pop music from Korea (often used attributively): K-pop is really great to dance to.

   a K-pop girl group;

   K-pop is really great to dance to.

K-pop

noun

1. the characteristic pop music of South Korea

Word History and Origins

Origin of K-pop¹

First recorded in 1990–95; K(orean) ( def. ) + pop ²

Example Sentences

At the music and cultural festival, they saw top K-pop idols and lined up for K-beauty at skin-care booths.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Following in the slipstream of the superstars of K-pop, K-beauty has become a massive global business.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

TikToker George Clarke scored 31 for his K-Pop Demon Hunters-inspired couple's choice dance.

Read more on BBC

Celebrities including K-pop star Lisa of Blackpink and Rihanna have been spotted carrying Labubus, sparking a worldwide craze for the collectibles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The first No. 1 female K-pop song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, “Golden” has helped propel the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack to its newest accolade.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does K-pop mean?

K-pop is a genre of pop music originating from South Korea. The genre combines such Western pop music elements as hip-hop and rock with Korean traditions, and frequently involves dance routines and singing in Korean lyrics intermixed with some English.K-pop is especially performed by idolized boy bands and girl groups.What are some other words related to K-pop?J-popBTSGangnam Style