Featuring quirky horse-riding dance moves and an infectious electronic beat, an unlikely music video and its leading man made history in 2012. In December of that year, "Gangnam Style" reached one billion hits on YouTube—the most views ever. Seemingly overnight, the South Korean pop star behind the hit—Psy (Park Jae-sang)—became a household name. But Psy is just part of the story. Other South Korean pop sensations such as Girls' Generation, 2NE1, and BigBang are part of a global sensation called Hallyu, or the Korean Wave. South Korean bands are performing to sold out arenas all over the world, and fans can't get enough of South Korean music, films, television, food, and manhwa (cartoons). K-Pop: Korea's Musical Explosion traces the journey of South Korean pop music, from the early influences of American rock 'n' roll in the 1950s to the success of a tiger-eyed sensation called Rain, who wowed American audiences in the early 2000s. Discover how this Korean Justin Timberlake, and those who came after him, rose through South Korea’s star-making system through grueling hard work to seduce international audiences with their tight choreographies, irresistible beats, outrageous outfits, and exciting stage shows. You'll become part of the K-Pop fandom world too!

There are so many k-pop boy groups, while the groups are too numerous to mention one by one. However, some of them just disappear after debut, and only a very small minority of k-pop boy groups can become popular. By the way, there is a boy group who has been on the steady rise since its debut and is now considered as one of the most popular k-pop idol groups. Yeah, it’s BTS. As BTS is enjoying a huge popularity at home and abroad, many people in the k-pop world are now saying "The boy group is the future of k-pop." Actually, BTS' success is considered as being very special by people in the k-pop industry. Because BTS is in Big Hit entertainment, which is not as big k-pop agency as SM, YG, or JYP. Achieving success as an idol group of small and medium agency in the k-pop word is much harder than you could ever have imagined, and that’s why BTS deserves to be called “The k-pop pioneer”. Then, what do you think is the reason for BTS’ great success? First, the main reason for BTS' success is that the boy group differentiated itself from other boy groups by doing "real hip hop" music. The group writes its own music and sings about teenager's life, arousing empathy from young k-pop fans. Second, some of BTS fans may disagree, but the members have ordinary looks unlike other pretty k-pop idols. They’re not traditionally good-looking, and frankly speaking, I thought they are too ugly to be idols when I saw BTS for the first time. However, because of this, they could become the hottest idol group. I mean, fans could feel more comfortable and familiar with the members because they do not look like cartoon characters. Third, BTS is an idol group, but its members, Rap Monster and Suga have released their mixtapes just like underground rappers do. By doing so, they stressed the fact that they’re different from other puppet like idols. Especially, Rap Monster, who has polished his rap skills in the Korean underground hip hop scene before debut is getting the spotlight in the k-pop industry by showing off his outstanding rapping ability. He’s been active not only as an idol but also as a rapper, and he was also featured as a rapper in the album of MFBTY, comprised of Tiger JK, Yoon Mirae, and Bizzy who are considered as heavyweights in the Korean hip hop scene. BTS certainly succeeded in fascinating k-pop fans and it’s mainly because of the group’s image as a skilled hip hop idol. Oh, it's not just an image. The BTS members have sufficient performing skills and always prove it on the stage. Unlike other puppet like k-pop idol groups, they enjoy the stage and show high quality live performance. Have you been to BTS’ concert? It’s really gorgeous. So, are you a big fan of BTS? Do you want to know all the stories about BTS members? < BTS: The k-pop pioneer> contains all the things about BTS. The author, who has been working as a k-pop journalist since 2010 gives you answers to all the questions about BTS such as “What are their real personality like?”, “What were they like in school?” and “How did they become k-pop idols?”. The book also includes various stories behind BTS members. So, welcome to the real world of k-pop. Enjoy your time, and love yourself!

"How can you be satisfied with just a kiss when you're so wet?"

Haru doesn't have the greatest luck with men.
When she was walking around town after getting drunk because of the shock of being cheated on, she got picked up by a bad guy and was in big trouble!
But some stranger showed up and helped her out of the trouble.
It turned out that the stranger is an aspiring K-pop idol trainee, Sang.
He said, "All Koreans are gentlemen."

Sang carried her home like a princess, and it was like a dream!
After spending a night with him, she was told that he has no place to live because of her, and now he's going to stay at her house!
Haru is an ordinary temporary office worker, and has a strong desire to get married.
She can't afford to help a dreamy foreigner financially, but this guy is so hot and too good at sex!
One day, when she was struggling with her doting life, her ex-boyfriend was transferred to her workplace and ......?

-Unknown stories about kpop stars such as BTS, EXO, BIGBANG, TWICE, BLACKPINK and more -Korean stars' real personality -With whom and how they date -How much they earn Aren’t you curious about k-pop stars’ real personality? Aren’t you curious about unknown stories about them? Here’s what you’ve been waiting for! Kpop Secret is released! Welcome to the real world of k-pop. We tried to include all the secret stories about Korean entertainment industry in Kpop Secret. We want to share all the stories behind k-pop stars with fans all over the world.

First Published in 2017. This book is a short reference on the peoples of Russia and the USSR. It includes approximately 3,000 entries, cross-references and spelling variations, fifteen original maps and information on dialects, literary languages and religions. It is intended for anyone who needs basic information about the ethnographic groups of the Russian Empire and the USSR in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

A Cosmopolitan Best Young Adult Book of 2019 A BuzzFeed Pick for "YA Books You Absolutely Must Read This Spring" "[Goo's] most charming to date. . .A delightful romp." —The New York Times 10:00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she’s just performed her hit song “Heartbeat” in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She’s about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She’s in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger. 11:00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She’s very cute. He’s maybe curious. 12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same. With her trademark humor and voice, Maurene Goo delivers a sparkling story of taking a chance on love—and finding yourself along the way—in Somewhere Only We Know.

Who do you think is the most popular k-pop idol? Who do you think is the most influential k-pop star? There could be many different voices and opinions, but the majority of people in the k-pop industry would say it’s G-Dragon. As the leader of BIGBANG, G-Dragon led his team to the top in the k-pop world, writing and producing the k-pop group’s numerous hits. And he got to the summit as a solo singer too, while his innovative and polished own songs have caused a sensation in the world of k-pop. That’s not all. G-Dragon is well known for his great taste in fashion, and he is a trendsetter who is loved by young people all over the world. No doubt, he is one of a kind, and he is now a role model of countless young k-pop idols. Even Korean celebrities love and admire the k-pop star, and that’s why he is called “Celebrities’ celebrity”. So, are you a big fan of G-Dragon? Do you want to know all the stories about the king of k-pop? G-Dragon: The King of K-pop contains all the things about G-Dragon. The author, who has been working as a k-pop journalist since 2010 gives you answers to all the questions about G-Dragon such as “What is his real personality like?”, “How rich is he?” and “How do Korean general public think of him?” The book also includes various stories behind G-Dragon. Welcome to the real world of k-pop. Enjoy your time!

V. 1. New England : Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont -- v. 2. Northeastern states : Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia -- v. 3. Southeast : Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia; Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands Miscellaneous Caribbean islands -- v. 4. South central states : Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee -- v. 5. Southwestern states : Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas -- v. 6. Great Lakes states : Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin -- v. 7. Plains states : Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota -- v. 8. Mountain states : Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming -- v. 9. Pacific : Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington; Pacific territories -- v. 10. National index -- v. 11. Appendices.

There's something for everyone - A celebrity romance between Ayden Stone and Aria Larsen in Fangirling Over You A pro footballer falls in love with her arch-nemesis who happens to be the greatest player in the world in To All the Footballers I Loved Before A K-pop fangirl reconnects with her oldest friend, who happens to be a K-pop idol superstar in Bias Wrecked A Habs fangirl with a buried past falls in love with a man who's backing a rival team in Pucked Romance (with cameo appearances from characters of my Never Been Series) And a tattoo artist falls for the clean-cut preppy guy in an opposites-attract romance in Never Say Never (with cameo appearances from characters of my Never Been Series) In all of these stories, the fangirl always gets her man.

Provides insights into how common strategic contingencies drives competitive advantage and innovation in the different clusters Provides an historical overview of how innovation has developed, and therefore how it might develop in the future Includes coverage of how COVID has impacted creative and cultural industry innovation and operating practices and their implications for a post COVID landscape