K-Pop has been rising exponentially in popularity in America ever since May 2017, when BTS became the first K-Pop group to win a Billboard music award. Ever since, K-Pop has taken over practically the entire country, sweeping up teenage girls of all kinds in its path.

Of course, there are always haters. “I can’t understand what they’re saying”, “they all look like girls”, and “they’re so gay” are all common phrases used by people who dislike the genre (specifically, my mother in this case).

Fanbases are a big part of the world’s view on all pop culture, not just K-Pop. However, most of the members of the K-Army seem to be quite different from other fanbases. Most of the K-Army that I know are overly expressive about their love for the music. Repeating lyrics, fighting over idols, and occasionally speaking a Korean word or two in a conversation is not uncommon for the typical K-Army, and are often seen as an annoyance for people who don’t like the songs.

Fanbase aside, for me, K-Pop has offered many things that other music genres couldn’t. The uplifting, electronic beat of the songs are unique, the groups are all exceptionally talented (Singing and dancing? At the same time?), and they’ve all worked very hard to get to where they are today. “[K-Pop] was something I had never seen before, and it really captivated me,” says Lauren Lituri (‘20).

No matter what, the K-Army is always supporting their groups and their love of the music, myself included. I’m excited to see how everyone’s interest in K-Pop develops in America, and I hope that everyone listens in with an open mind and with open ears.