K-pop fans rejoice as Netflix smash brings new attention

KPop Demon Hunters is currently the most streamed movie on Netflix globally

KPop Demon Hunters is the record-breaking film taking the world by storm – and Belfast is no exception.

That's why faces lit up among those learning choreography at a special K-pop themed dance class in Belfast, when chart-topping global smash Golden blasted from the speakers.

For local fans of the genre from South Korea, which has been a global phenomenon, the classes are another example of how K-pop is starting to gain a foothold in Northern Ireland.

"Back in 2015, you would very rarely find anyone who would listen to K-pop," said Amy Ferguson, one of those at the class.

Amy Ferguson said it has become easier to access K-pop music

"Now there's a whole section dedicated to it in shops.

"It's good to see that it's come to this small part of the world."

From BTS to Blackpink: What is K-pop?

The class Amy is attending is just one laid on by a Queen's University Belfast society dedicated to all things K-pop – or Korean pop.

The music, characterised by elements of pop, hip-hop and dance music filtered through a Korean lens, has seen huge global success via acts like BTS, Blackpink and Enhyphen.

Maud Barr, a 22-year-old student from west Belfast who was one of those at the QUB KPOP Society dance class, said the genre offers more than others.

"I feel like I'm getting different styles of music from K-pop that western music isn't really giving anymore," she said.

"We're getting a lot more dance performances, there's way better live performances and there's just so much more content to get involved in."

For the uninitiated, K-pop has become even more visible thanks to the success of KPop Demon Hunters, which is now Netflix's most watched film ever.

Maud said she was pleasantly surprised by it despite fears it would be "gimmicky".

"I'm used to people making a lot of jabs at K-pop ever since Gangnam Style," she explained.

Lauren L'Estrange leads some of the K-pop classes for Queen's University Belfast's KPop Society

Lauren L'Estrange, the class' instructor, said the film did a great job of capturing the spirit of the fandom.

"The way they portray a K-pop concert, where everyone's souls are coming together, is genuinely what a K-pop concert feels like," she said.

"It's just so euphoric and to see that portrayed with such beautiful animation, and to know it's made by people who also love K-pop, just kind of solidifies that it's a really lovely experience.

"It brought tears to my eyes."

Lauren described the class as Zumba with a K-pop soundtrack - and Amy said it was a great opportunity to share her fandom with likeminded people.

"I'm not the best dancer but I come to have fun with other people who enjoy things that I would enjoy," she said.

"It's just a great community."

Will K-pop bands tour in Ireland?

The dance classes are increasingly popular

Now K-pop fandom here is growing, Northern Ireland-based fans are hoping it might mean bands consider bringing their tours to Belfast or Dublin - the likes of BTS and Blackpink have never played a show on the island of Ireland.

"I think I would cry, honestly. I would be first in line for those tickets," said Maud.

"I'm so used to going to London to see groups I want to see but if somebody came here, there would be droves of people."

For Rebecca Fogarty, who has been teaching Korean language and culture to students in Northern Ireland for the past 13 years, the number of people who have wanted to learn the language has diversified in the last few years, at least in part due to the emergence of K-pop.

"People want to be able to sing along to Korean pop songs and be more fluent.

"They get excited when they can understand phrases in K-dramas or movies.

"There's also a big social side to it. A group of my students booked to go to a K-pop concert. They travel to a lot of European countries for it."

The diversified interest in Korea has been a welcome change for teacher Rebecca Fogarty

On a personal level, the growing familiarity with Korea in Northern Ireland has been a welcome change for Rebecca.

"I don't need to explain too much about where I'm from now because people know the country and more about the culture," she said.

"When I was travelling around Europe in the 90s, I had to explain about my country, even where it was located. It almost seemed 'alien' to people then.

"It's given me confidence about my culture."