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2011: the year K-pop goes global?

I’m now losing track of the number of flashmobs, talent contests and auditions organised by fans, the Ministry of Culture or Korean TV stations, all with the aim of getting K-pop out of Korea and into … well just about anywhere overseas. K-pop has of course been big in Asia for a while, has tried to make inroads into America, and now is exploring Europe and the Middle East. The latest event to catch my notice is an embassy-sponsored Kpop contest in Egypt, where Dae Jang Geum has opened the door to Korean culture.

Dok2
Dok2

Tomorrow in London is what is billed as the UK’s first Kpop concert featuring Dok2. Of course, we’ve already had London gigs by Crying Nut, Rollercoaster and the Yoon Band in previous years, but this is the first concert I can think of that’s featured a rapper. And it’s certainly London’s first live Kpop concert of 2011, with hopefully more to come, and here’s hoping the gig is an amazing success.

Two weeks ago we had the Kpop flashmob in Trafalgar Square, carefully planned with plenty of notice to permit the Korean TV crews to line up in front of the National Gallery to catch the action. And next weekend maybe another one? Part of a “global flashmob day”, in partnership with YouTube, designed to allow Kpop fans “to truly showcase how far the Hallyu Wave has spread” as part of a talent contest called Dreamstage Korea. I don’t know yet whether UK fans have taken up the challenge of organising a London event. But I would certainly sympathise with them for taking a break from the seemingly relentless campaign.

Fingers crossed for some live Kpop later on this year.

Dok2 performs at the Coronet Theatre

Coronet Theatre London, 28 New Kent Road, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6TJ
Sunday 24 July 2011. Doors: 5:30pm Curfew 8:30pm
Details on Facebook event page

(automatically generated) Read LKL’s review of this event here.

6 thoughts on “2011: the year K-pop goes global?

  1. There’s also the United Cube (Beast, 4minute and G.NA) family concert meant to be coming to the UK in November 🙂
    They’ve not announced more than that so far though, like venue or ticket information.
    (I can’t wait, haha~)

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