Lost in Translation: K-pop

By: Aki Sanjay

The first reference to music in Korea is found in a 3rd century Chinese text: a report, which comments on singing and dancing during tribal agricultural festivals in what is now northwestern Korea. Music has long been integral to Korean culture, and traditional music reached its peak from the fourteenth century onwards, encouraged by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It is undeniable that Korea has a rich, historic tradition of music, and yet, the greatest wave of Korean music has emerged extremely recently – and it is nothing if not modern. K-pop, South Korean pop music, is a worldwide phenomenon, one which has cemented South Korea’s place on the global entertainment stage and fostered a newfound interest in Korean history, culture, and tourism. Known for its well-tuned group performances, perfectly synchronised choreography, and the birth of the ‘idol,’ K-pop exploded into the world after the turn of the century: a perfect, persistent, pop-music machine.

Scotland has not been exempt from the K-pop craze. Across the country, universities started Korean cultural societies and K-pop dance groups (St Andrews has both!) to provide students with a space to participate in the Hallyu wave. Stores have begun to stock albums by popular Korean artists, meeting a growing demand from Scottish fans for merchandise, CDs, and ever-popular photocards. Clubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh even host dedicated K-pop nights, such as the annual K-pop party at La Belle Angele.

In spite of the increasing popularity of K-pop in Scotland, opportunities to engage with the genre are still severely limited, especially in comparison to the rest of the UK. K-pop artists rarely tour in Scotland; STAYC, an all-girls group, performed in Glasgow in 2023, marking the first performance of a K-pop group in the country. Since then, remarkably few groups have visited Glasgow or Edinburgh; however, London is a common stop on most European tour schedules. There is no clear reason for Scotland’s relative erasure, but it has proved frustrating for fans, who often must travel quite far to attend concerts and events. 

However, Scottish fans have not backed down: in fact, faced with a clear lack of organised shows, events, and circulation, K-pop has become an important centre of community in Scotland. Fans have largely taken it upon themselves to create opportunities to engage with K-pop and meet other listeners: for example, avid followers of a specific K-pop groups, such as Ateez, TXT, and Stray Kids, often host cafe events where fans can congregate, win prizes, and perform dance covers. In an interview with The National, Katy, a longtime K-pop fan from Glasgow, reflects on the community she has found herself a part of. It all started during the pandemic, she shared, when she suddenly found herself head of the UnitedKpop Facebook page: “A lot of people were talking about how they were feeling really isolated and lonely, and that K-pop is the thing that makes them feel like they’re part of a community.” For Katy, who had already used UnitedKpop to craft a strong online presence through online quizzes, watch parties, and a rebrand to K-pop Scotland, the pandemic proved the value of the K-pop community – and when restrictions lifted, Katy and her team immediately aimed to keep the group active both online and in-person. They began to organise meetups for members in Glasgow at comic-book shops, boba cafes, and Korean restaurants. “They’re just really casual,” said Katy, “playing games, chatting, getting bubble tea. It’s fun, because you find out that people who met at the [restaurant] night are best friends now.” 

Katy’s work is a clear example of the importance of K-pop in fostering community in Scotland; despite the lack of officially organised events and concerts, fans have found their own ways to enjoy the genre and connect with each other. There is still hope that concerts will slowly inch northwards of London, though – and some groups have begun to do so. The all-girl group Kiss of Life, also known as KIOF,  performed in Glasgow in March 2025 to a packed crowd, giving fans hope that other newer K-pop artists will start to include Scottish cities on their tours. For now, though, there are plenty of shows to look forward to in England over the summer: notably, the annual feature show SMTOWN LIVE will be hosted in London on June 28, featuring concerts from well-known artists including Stray Kids, Blackpink, NCT127, and aespa. 

While K-pop may not have as official or visible a presence in Scotland as it does elsewhere, its impact cannot go unrecognised. In lieu of shows, stores, and tours, K-pop fans throughout Scotland have formed their own communities to celebrate their favourite artists through a variety of avenues: meetups, dance covers, listening parties. Community lies at the heart of K-pop in Scotland, bringing together fans from across the country to share in their love for the genre. While listeners are still eager for more groups to tour in Scotland, the absence of concerts has not dimmed K-pop’s presence in Scotland to any means: if anything, its impact has grown even stronger.