K-pop Becomes a Subject of Academic Research and a Cultural Phenomenon in the United States

K-pop is moving beyond the global music market to become an object of academic study. By 2026, in the United States, K-pop began to be recognized not just as a musical genre but as a widespread cultural phenomenon. Stephanie Choi, an assistant professor in music at Harvard University, is researching K-pop’s global influence and analyzing how it gained international popularity and what role K-pop fans have played in shaping this phenomenon.

In Western countries, interest in K-pop is emerging independently of an individual’s music career. A Gen-X alternative music critic who worked for the Boston Music Scene in the 1980s became interested in K-pop through the video for Stray Kids’ “God’s Menu.” The lyrics “Cookin’ like a chef/ I’m a five-star Michelin” sung by Felix at 1 minute and 20 seconds into the video served as a “stan attractor” or “gateway member” for many fans due to the contrast between his appearance and the lyrics. Fans refer to this phenomenon of becoming a fan of the entire group after encountering just one member.

K-pop’s global status is also reflected in academic interest. On March 15, 2026, the theme song “Golden” from Netflix’s animated series “KPop Demon Hunters” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. This marked the first time in K-pop history that an original song from the genre received an Oscar.

The organized participation of fans has driven this growth in K-pop. The solidarity of global fanbases has been a key force behind transforming K-pop from a music industry phenomenon into a socio-cultural phenomenon.