K-pop's global wave inspires Chile's next pop stars

Members of Q_ARE, a Chilean K-pop-inspired boy band, pose for a photo in Santiago, Chile. Rony Curifuta hide caption toggle caption Rony Curifuta SANTIAGO, Chile — Throughout this long, cold winter, an air of feverish anticipation has simmered in Chile's capital. This October, global K-pop sensation BTS will arrive in Santiago as part of their comeback world tour, marking the latest chapter in Latin America's growing embrace of Korean culture. The group has already played sold-out dates in Mexico, while additional sell-out shows are scheduled in Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil. Demand in Mexico was so high that President Claudia Sheinbaum contacted South Korean officials to explore the possibility of adding more dates. From food and television to skincare and clothing, the Korean wave has found a passionate new audience across Latin America — and in Chile, it is being reimagined by a generation of young fans. The phenomenon, known as Hallyu, or the "Korean wave," began spreading globally in the 1990s, moving Korean music, dramas, cuisine and beauty trends from niche interests into mainstream culture across the region. But in Chile, young people are doing more than consuming th...