K-pop INNOVATION: The Future of Korean Innovation that Took the World by Storm

K-pop’s remarkable global popularity is no coincidence. Its success cannot be attributed to a talented individual or a set of favourable government policies but is instead the result of continuous innovation by risk-taking entrepreneurs. For the first time in English, this book presents a focus on the managerial and structural features of the K-pop industry to unpack the resounding success of K-pop companies and the Hallyu Wave phenomenon. It analyses leading industry players, explaining the success strategies of K-pop from the perspective of innovation management theory. It places a particular special emphasis on SM Entertainment, a leading pioneer in the South Korean entertainment industry, and sheds light on the company’s strategies for success. As the book examines how K-pop developed over time, it draws an interesting parallel with the semiconductor and IT industries, noting common characteristics between them. It concludes with thoughts on K-pop’s future and advises K-pop innovators on developing new business models combining new technologies in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and augmented reality (AR) to keep the momentum going. It is a must-read for readers interested in innovation, the entertainment industry, and the global phenomenon that is the Hallyu Wave.