It's a K-pop Thing

After analyzing all of the year-in-review K-pop content over the holidays, we've come to one conclusion: 2025 was *rough* and left us wanting a lot more. So, as we kick off the brand new year in 2026, we're hoping our collective positive thinking can help us manifest the best possible year yet in K-pop!
Tune in as we chit chat about:
Our standout releases from 2025
What we're each manifesting for K-pop
What changes we're hoping to see in the industry
What's next for the podcast
Let us know what K-pop resolutions you have for the year and what you're hoping to manifest in 2026 by tagging us on social media @IKPTPOD.
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.

FOLLOW US:
Twitter: @ikptpod & Instagram: @ikptpod

FEEDBACK? IDEAS FOR FUTURE EPISODES?
E-mail us at [email protected]

We're kicking off 2026 with an episode we recorded at the tail end of last year that's all about Santos Bravos! Following HYBE's big experiment with KATSEYE, HYBE Latin America focused its efforts in 2025 on debuting a Latino pop boy group using the K-pop industry model. 
Though the group is most definitely NOT K-pop sonically (more on that later), its creation via a music survival show, its trainee model and its obvious connection to HYBE mean it carries the DNA or building blocks of the K-pop industry. Naturally, all this means we have a LOT of thoughts on the group's debut and where they might best fit into the current music landscape. So, what did Santos Bravos get right about Latino boy bands and is it only a matter of time before everyone knows their name in Latin America?
Tune in to hear Alexis and Theresa discuss:
The uphill battle the boys faced in the survivial show
What it was like to watch the Santos Bravos showcase live in Mexico City
Our takeaways on the final lineup's cohesion (or lack thereof?)
Why we think Drew was always going to debut as the anchor for the group
The obvious (and not-so-obvious) comparisons to KATSEYE
The importance of a visual and sonic identity for a group
And so much more!
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.

FOLLOW US:
Twitter: @ikptpod & Instagram: @ikptpod

FEEDBACK? IDEAS FOR FUTURE EPISODES?
E-mail us at [email protected]

Kpop Demon Hunters arguably gave us not just the song of the summer, but the soundtrack of the year. Sound like hyperbole? It's been months since the animated musical was released this summer and it shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks to word-of-mouth and some early guerrilla-style marketing, viewership for the film snowballed so unexpectedly and so quickly that it now holds the distinction of being Netflix's most-watched original title ... EVER, with more than 236 million views as of late August.
Now, with Halloween upon us, it seems kids everywhere are eager up to dress up as Rumi, Mira, Zoey, or any of the other memorable characters from the film. At the same time, the singing voices of HUNTR/X have been making the rounds on late night TV ahead of what is arguably a campaign to get in front of the voting bodies during awards season next year. Last but not least, we have the release of EJAE's new single, "In Another World."
It's about time time we finally dove into what exactly makes KPOP Demon Hunters so successful and so sticky in pop culture.
Listen to hear our discussion on:
How Kpop Demon Hunters capitalized on fandom culture
The power of word-of-mouth and YouTube reactors
Kevin Woo's marketing advantage as a real-life K-pop idol 
The choice of original songs vs. needle drops from existing K-pop groups
EJAE's career in K-pop mirroring Rumi's character arc story
Kids, families and keeping K-pop accessible
Our takes on the real inspo for HUNTR/X and Saja Boys
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.

FOLLOW US:
Twitter: @ikptpod & Instagram: @ikptpod

FEEDBACK? IDEAS FOR FUTURE EPISODES?
E-mail us at [email protected]

After taking a break in 2025 we are BACK with a fresh season of It's a K-pop Thing! It's been a long 9 months — we could have had a baby! — and we've missed talking all things K-pop. There's tons of new things we want to try for this upcoming season so stay tuned for updates on that on our Instagram account (@IKPTPOD). 
To kick things off this season, Alexis and Theresa are focusing on the current fan experience. With SO many K-pop groups touring and tickets prices being SO expensive ... we have to ask: Can we afford K-pop? In THIS economy?
Tune in and hear as we commiserate with one another and strategize on how we can make lemonade out of lemons this K-pop touring season.
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.

FOLLOW US:
Twitter: @ikptpod & Instagram: @ikptpod

FEEDBACK? IDEAS FOR FUTURE EPISODES?
E-mail us at [email protected]

We're back with a fresh season for 2025 and to kick things right off we're bringing you a conversation we recorded at the end of last year when Stray Kids announced their upcoming stadium tour! There's no doubt that K-pop has grown, and with it, the size of venues artists perform has grown as well. So many K-pop acts have made headlines selling out shows at stadiums across the United States and with Stray Kids embarking on an even stadium-ONLY tour, it seems a new milestone for K-pop is here: Go Big or Go Home.

But—are stadium concerts in K-pop a good thing? Alexis and Theresa dive into the heavy cost that comes with attending a stadium concert and why they might not be the best thing for the fan experience.

IN THIS EPISODE:
SEVENTEEN Stadium Recap at BMO in LA
The Evolution of Concert Culture in K-pop
The Not-so-great Impact of Stadium Tours on K-pop
Concert Ticket-buying Strategies and Tradeoffs to Consider
Are We Going to See Even More K-pop Stadium Tours?
How Could the Stadium Show Experience Be Enhanced?
Final Thoughts and Wish List
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.

FOLLOW US:
Twitter: @ikptpod & Instagram: @ikptpod

FEEDBACK? IDEAS FOR FUTURE EPISODES?
E-mail us at [email protected]