The Global Rise of K-Pop A K-Pop, the popular term for Korean Pop music, began in the early 1990s with the debut of groups like Seo Taiji and Boys, who combined Western musical styles with traditional Korean sounds. This new mix rapidly gained popularity in Korea and provided the foundation for what would later become a hugely profitable and globally popular music industry. Major entertainment companies such as SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment have emerged over the past 30 years. These agencies played a key role in developing new music stars by training performers in multiple areas including singing, dancing, and public image. Through this approach, agencies created a polished and successful entertainment product that attracted large audiences. B In the late 2000s, K-Pop began to become recognised outside of the Asian continent. Groups like Girls’ Generation and Big Bang became popular in other countries, with their memorable and catchy songs, synchronized dances, and visually striking music videos. Social media platforms like YouTube played a significant role in this global reach. By the early 2010s, K-Pop reached an even larger audience with Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” which became a truly global hit. This success helped introduce millions of people to K-Pop and marked the genre’s entrance into mainstream international culture.  C As K-Pop became more popular, the music itself began to experience change, incorporating fresher elements from different genres such as Hip-Hop, R&B, and electronic dance music (EDM). This fusion of styles made K-Pop more appealing to international listeners and showed the increasing versatility of its artists. However, there was one more ingredient necessary in K-Pop’s global expansion. Following the trend of more established international artists, worldwide tours and collaborations with Western musicians also helped K-Pop grow in global popularity.  D Today, K-Pop is more than just a musical genre; it is a global cultural phenomenon. The K-Pop community is made up of passionate fans, often referred to as “stans,” who engage with their favourite artists through social media and other platforms. These fan groups play a major role in the success of K-Pop, helping the genre to connect with people from different countries and cultures. Their passion has helped curious individuals or even those who dislike the genre have greater awareness of K-Pop much in the way “Swifties” (Taylor Swift fans) have promoted the presence of Taylor Swift in popular culture and online discourse.  E Several factors have contributed to the success of K-Pop. Firstly, the music itself is highly catchy, often featuring memorable hooks and beats that are easy for listeners to enjoy, regardless of language. Unlike many Western pop songs, which focus mainly on lyrics, K-Pop places greater emphasis on rhythm and melody, making it accessible to a wider audience. Secondly, K-Pop places a strong emphasis on performance and its strength in communicating the identity of the performers. Artists undergo intense training in both singing and dancing, and their live shows often include impressive choreography and creative stage designs. Fans are drawn not only to the music but also to the exciting performances that accompany it.  F Another key reason for K-Pop’s success is the hard work and dedication of its artists. K-Pop idols spend years in training, learning not only music and dance but also foreign languages to communicate with their international fans. This dedication creates a strong bond with fans, who admire the idols not just for their talent but also for their commitment and hard work. Critics may say these artists are manipulated and controlled too much by their agencies, but even if these criticisms have some weight among K-Pop fandom, the considerable physical and psychological demands on these artists are often cited as an inspiration to fans who may be going through struggles of their own.  G Furthermore, K-Pop continues to grow because it constantly adapts to new trends. The genre regularly mixes different styles and embraces new musical influences, helping it remain fresh and interesting. This flexibility has allowed K-Pop to stay relevant and continue attracting fans from all over the world. Looking to the future, K-Pop is likely to continue evolving. One key trend is the growing number of collaborations with international artists, which will bring even more diverse influences into the music. As K-Pop continues to expand globally, it may reach even more people from different cultures.  H Technology will also play an important role in the future of K-Pop. New tools like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) may be used to create more interactive experiences for fans. This could change how fans experience K-Pop performances, making them more immersive and exciting. Another trend is the increasing focus on sustainability. As concerns about the environment grow, both fans and artists are calling for more eco-friendly practices in the industry. This could lead to changes in how concerts are organized, how merchandise is made, and how K-Pop is promoted.  I Finally, there is a growing focus on mental health within the K-Pop industry. As awareness of mental health issues increases, it is likely that agencies will take steps to better support their artists. This shift could create a healthier work environment and help K-Pop idols maintain a better work-life balance. K-Pop’s impact on global culture is undeniable. The genre has not only transformed the music industry but also influenced fashion, cultural exchange, and the global economy. While there are still challenges ahead, K-Pop’s ability to connect people from different backgrounds shows its powerful influence. As the genre continues to evolve, K-Pop is likely to remain a major force in global entertainment for many years to come. 

  Increasing Fragmentation of Globalisation 1 The financial crisis of 2008-2009 marked a critical turning point in the trajectory of globalisation. The period before the crisis, known as hyperglobalisation, was characterized by increasingly linked markets, global supply chains, and financial systems. However, after the crisis, there was a noticeable slowdown in globalisation, a shift pushed by several factors including rising strategic autonomy, populist nationalism, and vulnerabilities exposed in globally connected supply chains. As a result, globalisation is evolving into a more fragmented model, with greater value on regional trade blocs and alliances among like-minded countries. This trend suggests the emergence of a world where economic power is more regionally distributed rather than being concentrated in a few countries.  2 Since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, globalisation was propelled by the desire to optimise production costs. Companies desired to divide global labour, outsourcing production to regions with lower labour costs and expanding into new sales markets. The global supply chain became a defining feature of this era, with companies sourcing materials and components from across the world. These systems were heavily reliant on delivery models designed to minimise costs by balancing supply with demand. Moreover, advancements in digitalisation allowed companies to simplify production processes and join complex supply chains more effectively.  3 The 2008-2009 financial crisis exposed the risks of such a highly integrated global system. The collapse of major financial institutions and the close relationship between global markets led to rapid effects across economies. As a result, there was a slowdown in cross-border investments, a decline in global trade, and disruptions in supply chains. In response, countries like China began to prioritise being independent, especially in sectors deemed essential to national interests. This trend was further driven by concerns over future crises, such as economic instability and international tensions, which led many governments and corporations to reconsider their dependency on global markets.  4 The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the weakness of these global supply chains. Border closures, lockdowns, and labour shortages disrupted production and logistics, demonstrating the risks associated with some business models. The pandemic showed the need for resilience in supply chains and encouraged many businesses to rethink their approach to risk management. Additionally, increased armed conflict globally has worsened these vulnerabilities, particularly in global energy and food markets. The war showed how international conflicts could be used to disrupt trade and supply chains, with countries leveraging economic dependencies to achieve political goals.  5 These developments have fuelled a rise in populism and economic nationalism, particularly in the context of movements like Brexit and the US-China trade war. These events highlighted the growing push for strategic autonomy, where countries seek to reduce their reliance on foreign sources for essential goods, particularly in areas like energy, technology, and healthcare. Governments are adopting protectionist policies to safeguard domestic industries from foreign competition and ensure access to critical resources in times of crisis. This shift suggests that countries are re-evaluating the costs and benefits of global trade, and that national security concerns are increasingly closely related with economic policies.  6 Despite these shifts, the fragmentation of globalisation does not necessarily signal moving away from globalisation, known as deglobalisation. Instead, it represents a transition towards a more fragmented global economy, where regional ties and local alliances take precedence over global connections. Trade within regional blocs such as the European Union (EU), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is growing as countries seek to strengthen their relationships with geographically and politically similar partners. This increasing focus on localisation and regionalisation is due to the need to build greater resilience against external shocks, whether from economic downturns, pandemics, or geopolitical conflicts.  7 One significant driver of this fragmentation is the rising geopolitical tension between major powers, especially the United States and China. As these two nations compete for global influence, they are reassessing their supply chain strategies, particularly in securing advanced technologies. Additionally, climate change policies and the growing importance of sustainability are reshaping global supply chains. Governments and companies are adopting greener production methods, with an emphasis on reducing their environmental footprint and investing in clean energy technologies.  8 The global transition towards clean energy is reshaping industries and global supply chains. Sectors like solar power, wind energy, and electric vehicles require critical raw materials whose availability is becoming increasingly important. In response, countries are looking to secure these materials domestically or through regional suppliers, while also pursuing recycling and green economy initiatives to reduce dependence on traditional resources.  9 Technological advancements also play a crucial role in this shift. Innovations such as robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D printing are transforming manufacturing processes. These technologies enable nearshoring and reshoring, allowing companies to relocate production closer to consumers while maintaining cost efficiency. However, these developments also have significant implications for employment in developing countries, as the need for cheap labour reduces.  10 Finally, the fragmentation of the global technology landscape is becoming increasingly clear. The rise of digital sovereignty—as seen with China’s strict control over its internet and Russia’s efforts to limit foreign tech influence—has led to the development of competing technological frameworks. This is further heightened by regulatory initiatives like the EU’s Digital Single Market, which seeks to harmonise digital regulations within Europe. As countries look for greater control over their digital infrastructure and data privacy, global networking is being challenged, creating barriers to seamless technological collaboration.     

Which idea is NOT mentioned as being affected by rising armed conflict.

K-Pop’s success is largely because the genre remains fixed in its style and avoids mixing influences from other music genres.

K-Pop’s success can be attributed to the artists’ dedication, including learning foreign languages to connect with international fans.

What is one of the reasons countries are turning to protectionism?

We cannot predict eclipses, but they are natural. 

There are zero side effects that come with electroconvulsive therapy

CBT for schizophrenia focuses on completely eliminating all symptoms rather than helping individuals manage distress and build coping strategies. 

Other than being rare and dramatic, why are eclipses ideal for public engagement?