How K-pop cashes in on image

Story highlights

South Korean pop earned estimated $290 million last year

Pop groups go through years of training before their debut

They are carefully managed to avoid any hint of scandal

CNN  — 

It’s a rapidly spreading pop culture phenomenon, fueled by the Internet.

Korean pop music or K-pop, is one of the most notable exports to come out of South Korea in the past decade.

Korea’s content watchdogs say K-pop exports grew nearly 50 percent from 2011 to 2012, grossing an estimated $290 million last year.

Earlier this year, nine-member K-Pop dance group Girls’ Generation beat Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga for “Video of the Year” at the 2013 YouTube Music Awards in early November. The girl group is making waves as part of South Korea’s young generation of pop stars rising up through the international ranks.