The overall purpose of this study was to gain a more in depth understanding of the conditions in which k-pop spread internationally. We initially knew that k-pop was an extremely
popular sensation in Asian countries, specifically because it originated in South Korea. Interestingly, research on the methods in which k-pop spread globally provided information on
the Korean Wave. The problems we researched focused on the specific ways and influences that k-pop had on countries. Instead of only focusing on South Korea and its neighboring Asian countries, we broadened our search globally. Some major findings we encountered were discovering how k-pop transformed into a worldwide phenomenon. As aforementioned, the Korean Wave was behind this transformation. Including k-pop, the Korean Wave spread k-media in general. In addition, learning about the culture behind k-pop and the realization that it was unique but also like other cultures in some ways. Particularly, the ways that k-pop fans socialize and gather in conventions, like anime. In addition, fans interact similarly, whether based in Korea or elsewhere.Livingstone Undergraduate Research Award for General Education Courses (sponsored by Gale, part of Cengage Learning
