BTS, Iz One and How Tensions Between Korea and Japan Play Out in K-pop
Idols' scandals rarely make headlines outside of Korea and the K-pop fandom. But when a Japanese television appearance by BTS was canceled in earl…
Tag: Japan
Tiffany and the Rising Sun: A Glance at South Korea-Japan Relations
On August 15, SNSD's Tiffany got into a scandal that is being discussed in a fervent manner, not just in South Korea, but amongst international fans as…
Exhibiting the Silence and the Voice of ‘Comfort Women’
For anyone who has been part of the K-pop fandom for a considerable time, the term ‘comfort women’ shouldn’t sound unfamiliar. Ranging from fleeting me…
Japan: K-Pop’s Hiding Spot
Prior to To the Beautiful You, who had honestly heard of J-Min? Do you ever find yourself wondering what happened to a group? Do you ever wonder why yo…
“Arirang” and Korean Nationalism
Perhaps unbeknownst to some of our readers -- particularly among our critical living-beneath-a-rock demographic -- there is currently a state of height…
So You Wanna Listen to J-pop: A K-pop Fan’s Guide
One of the many benefits to liking music from another country is that it opens up a large musical gateway. We’ve discussed this before in regards to K-…
Worry for the Right Reasons: K-pop and Kohaku
KARA's members were nervous, and with good reason. They were minutes from opening the second act of 2011's Kohaku Uta Gassen, Japan's famous New Year's…
SHINee’s “1000 Years, Always by Your Side” Culturally Assimilates Death
SHINee, the under-appreciated younger sibling of the SM family, has gone under the radar in establishing quite the year for themselves. Like their much…
Marketing Outside of Korea: The Case of SHINee
In Seoulbeats' recent light-hearted discussion about K-pop fears, the idea that SHINee may never come back to release new material in Korea was a commo…
SB Exchange #28: K-pop in Japan
Hello everyone, and welcome back to another SB Exchange! This week we look to the east--more specifically, Japan. Despite a complicated history exis…