Thanks to the success of bands like BTS and Blackpink, Korean pop music, or Kpop, has recently become a worldwide phenomenon. Many Kpop fans are curious about where they can hear their favorite songs on the radio as Kpop continues to grow in popularity worldwide. What radio station plays Kpop, then? The solution is more complicated than you may imagine.
There are a few radio stations that regularly play Kpop in the United States. KPOPCAST, an online radio station that focuses on Kpop and other types of Korean music, is one of the most well-known. KPOPCAST has a website and several radio apps, and it broadcasts continuously. Another choice is San Francisco’s KQED, a public radio station that periodically plays Kpop on The Do List, its weekly music program.
But it’s crucial to keep in mind that in the US, Kpop is still a rather obscure subgenre, and many mainstream radio stations haven’t yet fully embraced it. This is partly because most Kpop songs are sung in Korean, which might make it more difficult for people who don’t speak the language to enjoy. Kpop also has a unique sound and style that might not be appealing to many listeners.
The practice of record labels bribing radio stations to play their music is known as payola, and that brings us to the other questions. This technique violates the idea of fair competition and might result in a lack of diversity in the music industry, hence it is prohibited in the US and many other nations.
The most well-liked radio format in 2021 will continue to be contemporary hit radio (CHR), which mixes current pop, hip-hop, and rock songs. Alternative and indie formats, as well as a rebirth of interest in classic rock and other historical genres, are, nonetheless, on the rise.
Finally, it’s a complicated question to ask if radio is fading. While streaming alternatives and dwindling ad revenues have made traditional terrestrial radio more competitive in recent years, it is still a preferred medium for many listeners. Additionally, the growth of podcasting and digital radio has given radio broadcasters new chances to reach audiences in creative ways.
In conclusion, despite the fact that a few radio stations in the US play Kpop, the music style is still somewhat specialized and may not be widely distributed on mainstream stations. While CHR will continue to be the most popular radio format in 2021, payola is an illegal activity that inhibits fair competition in the music industry. The highest-paid radio host at the moment is Howard Stern. Despite some difficulties, radio is still an important element of the media landscape.