Would K-Pop Exist Without Black Culture?

From the Billboard charts to the Oscars, K-Pop is bigger than ever in Hollywood. Along with its global domination, there’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. So, how should we all be thinking about K-Pop in 2026? Sam poses that question to Dr. Sarah Olutola, novelist 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. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. And remember to take our survey! We want to know more about you and what you love about the show.   The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders