While K-pop isn’t a new phenomenon — the supergroup Super Junior just celebrated their 15th anniversary, and rapper CL is as relevant as ever, five years after her longtime girl group 2NE1 broke up — it’s never been a more exciting time to be a K-pop fan. Today, a new wave of artists is pushing the genre forward with A-list collaborations, adventurous new sounds, and surprising emotional heft.
Just as Latin pop has become a major global force over the past decade, the best K-pop songs transcend genres, languages, and borders with ease. In fact, as these seven artists prove — from hot new groups to solo stars changing the game — K-pop isn’t defined by where you’re from anymore, but rather, where you’re ready to let the music take you.
CHUNG HA
A triple threat who sings in Korean, English, and Spanish
IF there were any doubt left that K-pop is a truly global phenomenon, just listen to Chung Ha, the singer-dancer-choreographer who stormed onto the international scene this year with her reggaeton-tinged hit “Demente.” The single marked the first time a K-pop artist released a song sung entirely in Spanish, and immediately won over fans both old and new.
This story is from the June 2021 edition of RollingStone India.
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This story is from the June 2021 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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