Converging theory and practice this book provides a unique analysis of Korean youth s attempts to become global celebrities within the growing K-pop phenomenon which is rapidly becoming part of global media systems and culture. K-pop has become one of the most popular cultural forms in the global music markets despite having a relatively new global presence. Its recent spread around the world suggests that K-pop exists as a local-based genre of music in global markets including Western markets. Unlike other existing books on K-pop which mainly focus solely on academic analyses or industrial perspectives K-Pop Idols: Popular Culture and the Emergence of Korean Music Industry combines theory with industry and musical aesthetics. Following the idol group Nine Muses through a year-long chronicle the authors portray the everyday lives of young girls relentlessly pursuing happiness satisfaction and the achievement of their dreams in the K-pop world.