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| ▲ This file photo, taken on Nov. 30 (U.S. time), shows the "Countdown To 2021 MAMA: The Future of K-pop Panel Session" held in Los Angeles (LA). (Yonhap) |
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- In a panel discussion, titled "Countdown To 2021 MAMA: The Future of K-pop Panel Session," hosted by CJ ENM in Los Angeles (LA) on Nov. 30 (U.S. time), K-pop was seen to have the potential to play a greater role in the U.S.' mainstream music market.
Brooke Reese, a famous host of Apple Music's "The Chart Show," attended the panel discussion and analyzed how K-pop is just on the rise and has not reached its peak yet.
"BTS has created a breakthrough moment in the U.S. music industry as when it was nominated for the Grammy Awards and opened the door for the upcoming future of K-pop," Reese said. "I'm really looking forward to what other K-pop groups will do."
Citing multiculturalism as a characteristic of the global MZ generation, Reese mentioned that people want to know more about other countries and are learning about different cultures and customs. "There is nothing like K-pop when the young global generation communicates with music," Reese emphasized.
The radio show host added that K-pop's music video to artists' stories and performances has a special element that can't be pinpointed, saying, "It feels like something magical is happening and all of the fans feel connected."
Cynthia Littleton, Business Editor of U.S. entertainment media outlet Variety, who served as the panel host, defined the K-pop fandom as a global phenomenon on a different level.
Littleton explained that while fandom have always been a growing global phenomenon, K-pop fans have taken the concept to another level and shown incredible movement and great power.
Experts and K-pop industry officials who attended the forum pointed out Korea's unique cultural capabilities, globalization of fandom through streaming services and social media as the driving forces behind the expansion of K-pop. 6
"There is something that resonates with the younger generation in the Korean entertainment industry," said Angela Killoren, CEO of CJ ENM America, adding, "Social media allows everyone to access content they want to see anywhere."
Kim Yeon-jeong, Twitter's Head of Global K-pop & Kcontent Partnerships, mentioned how the power of social media contributed to shaping K-pop to be the global phenomenon it has become today.
Hong Joon-ki, CJ ENM's DIA TV Chief Producer, talked about how K-pop is "really amazing and just the beginning," adding, "We are seeing a brighter and bigger future."
Earlier at a press conference held last month, CJ ENM announced its plan to hold the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), K-pop's extravagant year-end music show, in the U.S. to expand K-pop's growing status.
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