Hark Joon Lee is a journalist and film maker.Dal Yong Jin is professor of communication at Simon Fraser University.

This book’s close observation and analysis of the inside of K-pop industry and its idol system offer insightful understanding of how the K-pop industry operates and K-pop idols engage with the factory-like star system. This engaging book, which presents a gripping story and examination of the underside of K-pop, is not only a timely addition to the growing number of studies on K-pop, but also an invaluable contribution to the studies of popular culture, music industries, celebrities, and cultural globalization. The book is highly recommended for anyone interested in popular music industries and celebrity culture in general and the recent K-pop phenomenon in particular.

• Part I. Emergence of K-popChapter 1. Emergence of K-pop as Transnational Popular CultureChapter 2. K-pop Entertainment Industry in the 21st CenturyChapter 3. Idol Formation Reality Shows as K-pop’s New Star SystemPart II. Entertainment Houses and Training Idol GroupsChapter 4. A Secret Door Finally Opened: Assistant Director and Trainees UnitedChapter 5. Sweat and Tears in the StudiosChapter 6. The Shadows in Spartan Training and the Pre-debutChapter 7. A Country Girl who Dreams of an Idol StarChapter 8. The Long Road to StardomPart III. Borders between Becoming Stars and DisappearingChapter 9. Competition, Sorrow and LoveChapter 10. Tears, Idols, and K-popChapter 11. Going Overseas and a Few Stars