Let's get a few things out of the way. I, and many Kpop fans, encounter these three sentiments over and over and over again from friends and family. These are not unique reactions. If you can't get past these ideas and hang-ups, maybe Kpop is not for you. That's okay. If that's the case, please don't mock people who do enjoy it. As a life rule, when you mock and dismiss harmless things that people enjoy, it says nothing about the person you're mocking. It simply lets everyone know that you are an asshat. So it goes.

Of course, Korea has a long history of its own music—traditional folk music in various forms. But Kpop, as we know it today, got its start as a result of the Korean War. Rock, Pop, and folk music from the West spread in the new 'South' Korea through the alliance of military servicemen. Koreans took the influence of this music and integrated it into their own. Many trends of genre over the decades in the US were reflected in South Korea in their own way.

The 90s brought similar reflections of boy/girl-band pop along with hip-hop and techno. Singing and dancing in formation to elaborate choreography got it's start at the time. This is what I call the '1st Generation'. The Big Three companies were established and beginning to structure their training systems. Economically, a financial crisis in Asia affected South Korea in the late 90s. The first iconic idol groups surged in popularity for the escapism and fantasy they provided from the daily drudgery of school and work. They were a symbol of youth, wealth, and fame, which was a powerful motivator to the kids watching their TV sets at home. Many of those young fans would grow up to become the '2nd Generation' of idols.

The 2nd Generation raised standards of quality. They were better looking, had better voices, better choreography, and many of the trainees worked for long years to raise those standards. Costumes got flashier. Hair got bigger. The groups that debuted during this era gained rapid popularity and huge fanclubs built themselves into the culture in a big way. This is when companies were able to see the true potential of Kpop as a 'thing'—as a real power in South Korea. In early 2008, a big push could be seen. Branding of groups became paramount and the music industry was treated to a makeover in sound and style. The '3rd Generation' was born as the shiny, sleek, colorful, surreal, iconic explosion of groups we see today.

The entertainment industry in South Korea is a big deal. The government invested in the idea of its pop-culture as a 'soft power' on the World stage and over the last 15 years has become a well-oiled machine. The music part of the industry is dominant with large corporations running the show. It's all wrapped up in the branding of big business and kids trained to be idols are the perfect renewable source of revenue.

While a number of smaller companies have found success recently, we still refer to the most successful that started it all as The Big Three. The Big Three are:

SM Entertainment: founded by Lee Soo-Man in 1995. SM is the leader of the Korean Wave.
YG Entertainment: founded by Yang Hyun-Suk in March 1996.
JYP Entertainment: founded by Park Jin Young in April 1996.

HOW TO BUILD AN IDOL

• Talent-scouting and auditions: held domestically and internationally
• Find kids with good looks OR vocals OR dance skills and hire them as trainees
• Training: singing, dancing, and acting lessons—practice for interviews
• Study languages: English, Japanese, and/or Mandarin Chinese
• Forming groups: identity, image/concept, potential stage/band names
• Long-term contracts, dorm arrangements, allowance distribution
• Album recording, music video shooting, photo shooting
• Debut—managers earn broadcast spots on music TV programs
• Performances: TV, radio, and appearing on variety shows

On talent: In the US, the amount of talent is huge because the population is so large. Unfortunately, many talented individuals are only ever known to family, friends, and maybe their local school or church. The country is too big and it takes a really over-the-top personality to hit it big. But South Korea is quite small. This means that the entertainment industry is able to streamline, organize itself, and tap into all the available talent in the country. While companies often look for attractive kids, or kids that will look amazing with a new nose, they also look for genuinely excellent singers and dancers. It's not all just pretty faces. There is real talent in the mainstream, because it's out there and it's accessible.

On companies: Not all entertainment companies function equally. Some companies are structured to maintain the system and keep revenue pouring in. Some focus more on building and encouraging the artists themselves. Idols from different companies might have more freedom than others, privately or professionally, and some get to write and perform their own music. YG is a good example of a company that seems to encourage a more hands-on approach from their idols. It's also not unusual for artists to leave a company, whether due to conflict or the end of contract, and sign with a new company or work outside of the traditional system. This kind of transition can bring success or quickly end a career.

On the dark side: The entertainment industry can be cutthroat and South Korea's is no exception. Idol pop has branded itself with the high-polish shine of perfection. As a result, the trainees at the bottom of the pecking order will do whatever it takes to rise to the top. Plastic surgery, heavy makeup, extreme diet and exercise, and sacrifice of personal privacy are all common facets of Idol-life. These kids often turn over their bodies and minds to the will of the company. In some cases, the demands are brutal and shady, and only a fraction of trainees ever see success as an Idol. I wouldn't be the first person to compare it to a kind of indentured servitude. In a culture where suicide is too frequently chosen as the only way out, the effects of such stresses on young people can be devastating. While standards and expectations are higher than ever, the system is slowly changing. Some idols, artists in the broader entertainment industry, and whistleblowers have brought these problems to light in the hopes of improving conditions for themselves, their peers, and generations to come.

aegyo

Displaying, through facial expressions and/or body language, cuteness, childishness, or innocence. This could range from adopting an infantile voice to blushing modestly about something crass.

bias

Specifically in Kpop culture, a bias refers to an artist/celebrity who you are most attracted or attached to. In a sense, the person you are biased to can do no wrong. You like everything they do. A Kpop fan might have an ultimate bias, someone who they like above anyone else in the culture. They may also have group-based biases that are specifically their favorite from the bands they follow.

comeback

A comeback does not refer to an artist that is coming back after being inactive for a long time. An artist/group has a comeback for every promotional cycle. Essentially, anytime a single, mini-album, or album is released and the artist does TV broadcasts/performances to promote them. It is used to simply mean 'coming back' rather than a special circumstance.

debut

A debut is the first performance (usually on TV broadcast). It could refer to the first performance of a brand new artist, or to the first performance of a certain song, or to either of these done on each of the major TV channels.

fandom

'fan domain'. Fandom encapsulates everything going on in a fan community (TV, movies, literature, comic books, music). This could include conversation, fanfiction, fanart, blogs/vlogs, fansites, audience support, conventions, fanclubs, etc. Some examples of really huge fandoms are Harry Potter, Star Trek, and Lady Gaga.

fighting (Hwaiting!)

Sounds more like figh-ting or high-ting. This is chanted or shouted as an encouragement for someone who is about to do something challenging—similar to 'break a leg!'.
Or it is said as a personal statement expressing 'I'll do my best!'.

Hallyu

The Korean Wave. Hallyu is a term used to describe the surge of culture and entertainment from South Korea to the overseas and International community (originally to China and Japan, but now, everywhere).

Hanbok

Traditional Korean clothing. Hanbok literally means 'Korean clothing', but now that it isn't worn commonly, it refers to the specific traditional garb. These days it is typically worn for special occasions and formal ceremonies.

konglish

Konglish is a combination of Korean and English in some form. Korean words might be inserted into an otherwise English sentence... or vice-versa. There can also be some confusion with 'borrowed' English words that are used in Korean, which are not used the same way in English.
handu-pone=cell phone, pocketball=billiards, gagman=comedian

maknae/magnae

The youngest person in a group or family is the maknae. Age is a significant factor in the Korean social hierarchy. The maknae is expected to obey, submit to their elders, and not rock the boat. Conceptually, they are allowed to be more childish, cutesy, and display 'aegyo'.

MV/PV

Shorthand for Music Video. I've been interested in Kpop so long I'm genuinely out of touch for whether this is used in the West. I don't think it is. MV is the equivalent to PV, which is used in Japan for the same thing (Promotional Video). This is helpful in differentiating Korean/Japanese versions of music videos in reference/search engines. Girls' Generation has both a Genie MV and Genie PV, because there is a Korean and Japanese version of the same song.

netizen

'Internet Citizen'. Netizen broadly refers to a large, faceless, population of Korean internet-users. Typically, netizens pop up when there is a hot topic to weigh in on.

noraebang

Karaoke is Japanese. Noraebang is Korean. Same thing. The translation is 'singing room'. It's a common social activity to go to noraebang with friends or family and sing along to a track with the vocals taken out while following the lyrics on a video screen. Alcohol is usually somewhow involved.

nugu

Nugu (누구) means 'who' in Korean. English-speaking Kpop fandom has adopted the word as an equivalent to 'nobodies'. Often used for brand new groups or for groups that debuted and failed to gain any recognition.
"No one cares about those nugus."

sasaeng

Sasaengs are 'stalker fans'. These are individuals who will do virtually anything to follow or get close to their favorite idol. The stalker culture among these 'fans' would make the worst paparazzi look like kittens. Sasaengs steal personal information, invade private property, and hire taxis to follow celebrities all day... every day. It's a serious issue that has led to idols being assaulted, groped, threatened, poisoned, and forced into traffic accidents.

selca

'Self Camera'. Eqivalent to 'selfie'. When anyone takes a picture of themselves it's a selca.

skinship

Skin + relationship. Skinship is engaging in physical affection with another person. In Korean culture, public displays of affection between people of the opposite sex (ie. kissing/hugging) are considered rather impolite and should be kept private. However, it is considered normal, healthy, and 'safe' to have skinship with members of the same gender. It's very common to see hugging, hand-holding, and close physical contact (male/male or female/female) within Idol groups. Note: male/female skinship can spark scandals and wreck careers.

s-line

S-line is just one of many 'insert letter'-lines. An s-line is typically the way the body curves down the spine and buttocks, but may include the breasts on a female body. Another common 'line' is a v-line, which is apparently the ideal shape of the face, a slim jaw and pointy chin. For the curious, JYJ's Junsu has a famous s-line.

ulzzang

'Best face'. An ulzzang is a person whose fame is founded purely on their looks. This is more specifically used for internet 'celebrities'.

Other fan dictionaries: kpopdictionary.tumblr.com and kpopkrunch.wordpress.com