Edited by Catherine M. Robb, Natasha Haddal, and Gah-Kai Leung
The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series
To propose ideas for future volumes in the Blackwell series please contact the Series Editor, William Irwin, at williamirwin@kings.edu
Having extended beyond Korean artists and fans, the K-Pop fandom is currently at its highest level of influence, with artists charting highly and being discussed around the globe. K-Pop has an enormous and dedicated fandom, and the relationship that fans have with their celebrated idols is intense and uniquely intimate. K-Pop brings to light various philosophical issues and dimensions, from the music, lyrics, and artistic output to the music industry professionals who create and promote the bands and artists, as well as the personal and professional actions of the artists who have become celebrities and influencers.
We invite submissions focused on the philosophical issues and topics that are illuminated by the phenomenon of K-Pop. Contributors of accepted essays will receive an honorarium. Abstracts and subsequent essays should be philosophically substantial but accessible, written to engage the intelligent lay reader.
Possible themes and topics might include, but are not limited to, the following:
Made in Korea: What is the ‘K’ in K-Pop?
Lost in Translation: Korean music and an international audience
No More Dream: K-Pop as critique of Korean society
“K-Pop Caused My Identity Crisis”: K-Pop and Asian identity
DNA: K-Pop and cultural appropriation
Feel Special: Koreans as ‘model minority’ and the issue of positive stereotyping
Fake Love? Ideals of authenticity and creativity in pop music
More & More: online band creating and voter behaviours
Breaking from the band: the ethics of bias wrecking and going solo
Are K-Pop idols your friends? The ethics of parasocial relationships in K-Pop
Welcome to Weverse: Social media, AI, and virality in K-Pop
“You can bring anyone’s light stick to a K-Pop concert”: What is a good K-Pop fan?
Soldiers of South Korea: The BTS hiatus and the ethics of military conscription
Blood Sweat & Tears: Exploitation and abuse in the K-Pop industry
Light Sticks to Landfills: Sustainability and K-Pop’s carbon footprint
Gangnam Style: K-Pop and capitalism
Hallyu! K-Pop as soft power and cultural diplomacy
War of Hormone: Adolescence, youth, and the experience of childhood
The Ideal Idol: K-Pop and Korean conceptions of beauty and/or fashion
Boy in Luv or Pink Venom? Gender and sexuality, love and relationships
Mic Drop: Dating bans in K-pop
Map of the Soul: Are BTS’ lyrics philosophical?
Life Goes On: Alienation and escapism in K-Pop / K-Pop as a form of escapism
“You can’t stop me loving myself”: Self-love and self-acceptance
Daesang: What makes a good K-Pop song?
Submission Guidelines:
1. Please submit your abstract (350-500 words) and CV by 4th December 2026.
2. Acceptance notifications will be sent out at the beginning of January 2027.
3. Submission deadline for first drafts of accepted papers: 26th April 2027.
