Would K-Pop Exist Without Black Culture?

<p dir="ltr">From the Billboard charts to the Oscars, K-Pop is bigger than ever in Hollywood. Along with its global domination, there&rsquo;s a dark side to the genre. Blatant appropriation of Black American culture. K-Pop stars caught using racial slurs. Fandoms torn apart over anti-Black racism.</p> <p dir="ltr">So, how should we all be thinking about K-Pop in 2026? Sam poses that question to Dr. Sarah Olutola,&nbsp;<a href="https://sarahraughley.com/books-by-sarah-raughley/">novelist</a> and professor at Lakehead University. Her research centers on pop culture, Black culture and K-Pop. They examine the history, geopolitics and future of a global system largely built off Black American art.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam&rsquo;s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p dir="ltr">And remember to take our&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebOJGzPod7DhXNo8NvhFxMcLZxCmdPQL1sMq7sn_7-G4pYXg/viewform">survey</a>! We want to know more about you and what you love about the show.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Sam Sanders Show</em> is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>