Korean Pop music, or K-Pop, took the world by storm this year.

K-Pop concerts sold out in Europe and Japan and a K-Pop singing contest organized by KBS World Radio, the overseas service of the Korean Broadcasting System, saw heated competition.
A K-Pop concert that was held in Paris for two days from June tenth clearly demonstrated the strong popularity of Korean pop music in Europe.

Five groups performed at the Paris concert --- TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, Super Junior, SHINee and f(x). All five are signed under SM Entertainment.

The Paris concert, which drew fans not only from France but also from nearby countries, is regarded to have opened doors for K-Pop in Europe.

The fervor for K-Pop was also confirmed during the “K-Pop World Star” singing contest that KBS World Radio held through its Internet site and the online video sharing Web site, YouTube .

Chile’s Christa Ananda beat 243 other contestants from 42 countries to win the competition that was held from July 27th to October seventh.

Internet users and a panel of expert judges that evaluated the performances were astounded when contestants sang songs with excellent Korean pronunciation.

1. N.Korea Stages Multiple Provocations Against S. Korea

2. Oct. 26th By-elections Marks Emergence of New Political Forces

3. KORUS FTA Ratified, Korea-EU FTA Effectuated

4. South Korea Tops $1 Tln in Annual Trade Volume

5. Pyeongchang Selected to Host 2018 Winter Olympics

6. Rescue Operation for Korean Freighter Ends Successfully

7. Financial Sector Rattled by Savings Banks Corruption

8. Looted Cultural Assets Return Home

9. K-Pop Takes World by Storm

10. Comprehensive Programming TV Channels Go on the Air