There have been dedicated K-pop fans all over the world for years, but it’s amazing just how much that number has increased recently. Though there’s a lot of focus on certain groups breaking into the American music industry, K-pop’s rising popularity isn’t just limited to the United States – it’s truly going global, and it’s awesome to see so many people joining the fun! When I first got into K-pop, it was totally new and unfamiliar territory. And while that was definitely exciting and fascinating, I remember it was also a little overwhelming. None of my friends liked it or even really knew of it, so I didn’t have anyone to talk about it with; I had to learn about cultural norms and industry practices on my own. So for my first official K-Pop Starter Kit post, I’m going to be the guide I wish I had five years ago! And I’ll introduce characteristics of K-pop that could be surprising yet interesting to newcomers.