: popular music originating in South Korea and encompassing a variety of styles
The opening ceremony, which took place Friday in Pyeongchang, South Korea, featured several songs from notable K-pop artists as teams circled the stadium.Kimberly Yam

Examples of K-pop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 June 2026 From now through Sunday night, the outdoor stage will feature pan-Asian acts including dance, taiko, K-pop and martial arts to keep the crowds entertained. Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 In 2025, Mexico ranked fifth among countries that play the most K-pop, according to Spotify. Juliana Kim, NPR, 17 June 2026 The best Asian music performance and Latin song Grammys reflect how global listening tastes have become in the streaming era as K-pop, reggaeton and regional Mexican music are three of the most popular genres in the world. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for K-pop

Word History

Etymology

short for Korean pop

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of K-pop was in 1999

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Cite this Entry

“K-pop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/K-pop. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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