Global K-POP School Set to Open Two Years Ahead of Schedule

Courtesy of CJ ENM

The southeastern port city of Busan is slated to open its inaugural K-pop high school in March 2026, marking the first establishment of its kind outside the Seoul metropolitan area.

The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education disclosed plans to inaugurate the tentatively named Global K-POP School ahead of schedule, aiming to enroll 80 students per grade.

The school will offer four majors: vocals, applied music, vocals and dance, and composition, with intentions to attract international students, comprising up to 50 percent of enrollment, reflecting the global popularity of K-pop.

Industry experts from the K-pop sector are anticipated to be recruited as teachers for the school.
 

▲ K-pop fans dance to popular songs during the Korean culture festival, KCON, in Los Angeles in 2022 / Courtesy of CJ ENMCollaboration efforts between the education office, Ministry of Education, and major K-pop management companies are underway to address visa concerns for foreign students and ensure smooth operation of the institution.

Partnerships with entities such as the National Institute for International Education and the Korea Tourism Organization will be pursued to facilitate the recruitment of international students.

Situated on the premises of the former Garak Middle School, the new K-pop high school will undergo renovations to accommodate K-pop education, including the construction of a dormitory capable of housing all students.

The decision to establish the school stems from the growing demand for specialized educational institutions in the K-pop industry, aimed at nurturing talent within the field, as stated by the city office in January.

South Korea previously inaugurated its first K-pop high school, the High School of Korean Pop and Performing Arts, in South Chungcheong Province in 2020.

The K-pop industry remains a lucrative sector for South Korea, with export sales of K-pop albums reaching $290 million in 2023, a 25.4 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Korea Customs Service (KCS).

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