Canadian journalist Mark Russell who has been living in Korea for 13 years, has a book out titled "Pop Goes Korea", an introduction for Anglophone readers to the Korean Wave. Russell (38) is a Seoul correspondent for the Hollywood Reporter.
He says that although the Korean Wave is one of the most successful commercial exports of Korea, its limit lies on the fact that it appeals only to young people.
The book covers in detail the development of Korea's pop entertainment business since 1990s, and its expansion to the global market. After being wowed by a Korean indie band in the bars and clubs around Seoul's Hongik University, Russell began studying Korean pop culture seriously.
Lack of diversity is one of the limits, he says. "For example, Korean pop music is dominated by dance music. It needs more genres to appeal to more people, and to reach a wider audience globally", he says.
"American consumers do not pine for a Korean Beyonce or a Korean Justin Timberlake because they don't need something they already have", Russell. He is also concerned about the decreasing number of live concert venues in Korea. "The live stage is the birthplace of real singers who actually have talent", he says. "If popularity is not backed by skill and merit, it will undermine the base of Korean Wave".
US$5 off (order min. US$5) Coupon code HANSTYLE Get a $10 off $20 order coupon, for first purchase and for HanCinema members only, so sign up, and get the coupon here
