Korean pop culture writer Mark James Russell chronicles prominent K-Pop artists in his upcoming release, K-Pop Now! K-Pop Now! follows his 2008 book Pop Goes Korea, one of the most comprehensive guides to the evolution of the Hallyu Wave. While Pop Goes Korea was a more academic work, K-Pop Now! is marketed to all readers and features one hundred and twenty-eight glossy pages of Korean pop eye-candy. Artists such as Girls' Generation, 2NE1, Big Bang, EXO, SHINee, CNBLUE and B.A.P are profiled with fact sheets. Part of K-Pop’s international appeal are the genre's captivating visuals, as represented in music videos and live performances. K-Pop Now! capitalizes on this by presenting artist statistics and narrative in the format of a magazine editorial.

K-Pop Now! has six chapters, ranging from The Land Of K-Pop to K-Pop's Future. Male groups, female groups, and solo artists have their own chapters, while another chapter is dedicated to explaining Korean pop music as a musical genre. In The Land Of K-Pop, Mark James Russell provides readers with an insightful look into Seoul and prominent districts that would be of interest to tourists visiting Korea. Shopping and landmarks that should be included on a K-Pop fan's must-see list are included. The book also includes a brief look at lodging options. The relevance of K-Pop to international audiences is explored in an interview with Simon and Martina of Eat Your Kimchi. Z:EA's Kevin Kim provides insight on his experience as a male idol who grew up in Australia, while Brian Joo discusses his role in the inception of K-Pop as a member of SM Entertainment's Fly To The Sky.

Mark James Russell provides a unique voice to K-Pop Now! as writer who has spent more than a decade working and living in Korea. He served as the Korean correspondent for The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard. Mark James Russell's first experience in Korea was similar to that of many Americans. He started his career in Korea as an English teacher in 1996, during the height of Seo Taiji and The Boys. YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk started out as a member of Seo Taiji and The Boys, later founding the label that would give rise to Big Bang and 2NE1. By the time his career as a Korean correspondent had started, Mark James Russell had witnessed the birth of the Korean Wave.

Pop Goes Korea, his 2008 ode to the Hallyu Wave, has served as a personal inspiration in my pursuit to learn more about the phenomenon. Pop Goes Korea separates itself from other books that explore Korean entertainment through the voice of an author who expresses wonder and awe at the otherness of the emerging art form. Pop Goes Korea not only explores the rise of Korean pop music, but the development of the technological infrastructure that helped to fuel the industry. Mark James Russell succinctly draws the connection between the formation of The CJ Group (Mnet Media, CJ Entertainment, and CJ CGV) and the spread of Korean entertainment throughout the world.

The greatest challenge in writing a book about K-Pop is the genre's constant evolution. At the time of publication, Lee Hi, VIXX, and Crayon Pop were considered emerging artists.  These artists are briefly explored in the chapter K-Pop's Future. Adherents to a daily schedule of K-Pop news may scoff at the inclusion of this chapter due to the fact that the groups listed may appear dated. However, the chapter is necessary in its goal to illustrate artists who may potentially lead K-Pop into a new era. K-Pop Now! is a comprehensive guide that is helpful not only for fans of K-Pop, but journalists covering this musical genre.

Special thanks to Tuttle Publishing and Mark James Russell for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book. K-Pop Now! is currently available for pre-order and is scheduled for release in April 2014.

Photo Credits:Tuttle Publishing