K-Pop Starter Kit: A Beginner’s Guide
K-pop has been taking over the world for years and now it's more popular than ever! If you’re new to the genre, it can feel a little overwhelming since there’s so much to discover - from the music and performances to the fan culture and the huge industry behind it all. But don’t worry, this short blog will help you navigate the essentials and show you what makes K-pop loved across the globe.
So Many Styles!
K-pop really stands out for its variety. Many people first discovered K-pop through PSY’s viral hit ‘Gangnam Style’ (and if you ever find yourself in Seoul, there’s even a statue celebrating it in Gangnam!).
Since then, the genre has evolved into something that blends various styles of music including pop, rock, rap and hip-hop. Artists like BTS, Blackpink and Stray Kids mix up different styles, often blending genres and playing with unconventional song structures. K-pop is also very trend-sensitive and you’ll notice more and more English lyrics in tracks like BTS ‘Butter’ and Blackpink ‘Jump’ as idols aim to connect with their fans worldwide. Many idols now speak English too, making it easier for the language to pop up in their songs or communicate with fans during performances or meet ups.
Dance Moves
One thing that sets K-pop apart from other music genres is its high energy and synchronised choreography. Idols often start training at a young age, practicing for hours every day before they even debut. Each of their title track comes with a killer dance routine, which is key for visual appeal during performances and promotions. Fans love seeing these moves go viral, especially on TikTok and Instagram, where trends and dance challenges take off. For example, Stray Kids ‘Chk Chk Boom’ and Ateez ‘Ice on My Teeth’ became super famous because of their iconic moves that fans couldn't wait to try for themselves after seeing bands showing off their moves and collaborating with other groups for the challenges. You’ll also notice that since K-pop is becoming more popular games like Just Dance also showcase some songs from this genre.
Group Roles
K-pop groups have a different vibe from most Western groups, especially when it comes to how the members work together. In most groups, each member has a specific role, whether it’s main vocalist, lead dancer or main rapper. These roles are what make performances feel balanced and exciting. And there’s usually a main ‘visual’ too - the face of the group who represents them in media and promotions. While many idols focus on one or two areas, some are multi-talented and shine in everything they do (a slight bias is Felix from Stray Kids as Dancer, Rapper, Vocalist but also more recently caught modelling for big brands).
Another thing that’s unique to K-pop is the size of the groups. Some groups, like NCT, can have 20+ members, and they even have sub-units that promote separately. This contrasts with Western pop, where solo artists tend to dominate. There’s also a strong hierarchy in K-pop - young members show respect to their older peers or seniors. And before debuting, idols spend years training, learning everything from singing and dancing to how to handle media appearances. This intense prep helps turn them into polished performers.
Releases, Comebacks and Concepts
In the fast-paced world of K-pop, artists drop music at lightning speed. New groups tend to release singles or mini albums often to stay in the spotlight, while established acts like Itzy or Seventeen may take longer breaks between releases, keeping fans hooked with solo projects or international promotions. But what really sets K-pop apart is the concept of the ‘comeback’. It’s not just about releasing a new song; comebacks are a full-blown event. There are teaser music videos, photos or clips, concept trailers and social media campaigns leading up to the big drop. Afterward, idols show up on Korean music shows, variety programs and participate in viral challenges to get their music out there.
Visuals are just as important as the music. Each comeback usually features a distinct theme or concept, influencing everything from outfits and stage designs to the music video itself. These high-quality visuals and fresh concepts keep K-pop fans on their toes, making every release feel like a new adventure (not to mention all the new merch that follows).
Fandoms: The Heart of K-Pop
K-pop fandoms can be wild, passionate and totally dedicated. Fans in Korea are known to focus all their energy on a single group, showing their support by streaming music, buying concert tickets and using official idol light sticks at shows. International fans, though, often follow multiple groups, creating a more diverse and globally connected fanbase. One thing to know is that the agencies behind K-pop idols are super hands-on with everything - from training to managing their image. This means that idols often live by strict rules, like dating bans or high public expectations.
Time to Explore
K-pop is a dynamic, ever-evolving world of music, performance and creativity that offers something for everyone. From high-energy comebacks to incredible visuals, there’s always something new and exciting to explore. If you're new to K-pop, the best way to dive in is by checking out a few different groups and songs. Each group or song brings its own unique flavour to the scene, and before you know it, you’ll be hooked on the music, the performances and wanting to dip your toe in the global fandom pool.
Check out our Kpop merch section for more inspiration,
We recommend these bands as a starting point due to the variety of their music, mix of new/established groups and inclusivity –
Ateez www.youtube.com/@ATEEZofficial
Big Ocean www.youtube.com/@BigOcean.official
BLACKPINK www.youtube.com/@BLACKPINK
Meovv www.youtube.com/@MEOVV_OFFICIAL
Stray Kids www.youtube.com/@StrayKids