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Inside Sajaegi, K-Pop's Open Secret

Inside Sajaegi, K-Pop's Open Secret

An aspiring K-pop group performs in the Hongdae district of Seoul on Jan. 5, 2020. Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

Inside Sajaegi, K-Pop's Open Secret

February 21, 2020 • In the digital era, accusations of surreptitious chart manipulation are common throughout the world — in South Korea, it's called sajaegi.

Latest Stories From NPR Music

In Cali, A Festival Celebrates The Flavors And Music Of Afro Colombian Life 2 days ago

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Chris Dave And The Drumhedz: Tiny Desk Concert 2 days ago

'On My Own Terms': Greg Kot On Leaving The Chicago Tribune After 40 Years 3 days ago

Tiny Desk Concerts From Our 5 Tiny Desk Contest Winners 3 days ago

Playlists

Hand-picked songs curated by the NPR Music staff

New Music Friday: Our Top 9 Albums Out On Feb. 21

Map of the Soul: 7, the latest album from the K-pop band BTS, is among our picks for the week's best new releases. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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New Music Friday

New albums from the K-pop band BTS, Grimes and Best Coast are among our picks for this week's best new releases.

Alt.Latino Playlist: The Changing Seasons Of Life And Love

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Alt.Latino

Hear a mélange of sounds and styles from across Latin America and the U.S., centered on the sentiment of loves lost and found in unlikely places.

Heat Check: Répéter, Répéter

Arlo Parks' "Eugene" spins a stinging reminder of getting left for convention. Charlie Cummings/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Charlie Cummings/Courtesy of the artist

Heat Check

Nigerian trap, New York drill, London soul, Chicago dance — this week's playlist switches up quick, but keeps the trance consistent.

Viking's Choice: Ancient Metal, Soft Synths, The Perfect Choogle

The Kraken Quartet collaborates with Hikes singer/guitarist Nay Wilkins on a lily-pad-jumping post-rock EP. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Viking's Choice

A doomy and gorgeous incantation from Psalm Zero featuring Lingua Ignota, Pulse Emitter's emotionally rich synths and guitarist Chris Forsyth's ultimate form.

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Essential stories and videos from npr music

The Lessons To Be Learned From Forcing Plants To Play Music

What could you possibly have to learn from a houseplant? DEA / G. Cigolini/De Agostini via Getty Images hide caption

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DEA / G. Cigolini/De Agostini via Getty Images

The Lessons To Be Learned From Forcing Plants To Play Music

It's not as mean as it might sound (though it does involve a little electrocution) and the results can be both beautiful and, well, eye-opening.

Still Saving The Day: The Most Influential Dance Party In History Turns 50

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Still Saving The Day: The Most Influential Dance Party In History Turns 50

The Loft, a party that David Mancuso first threw at his Manhattan home 50 years ago, seeded a community — and cemented a belief system that continues to reverberate.

All Ears: Some New Ways To Hear Distortion

Philippe Intraligi / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm

All Ears: Some New Ways To Hear Distortion

Distortion is familiar to most of us — a 'staticky noise,' a 'noisy static.' But in the right hands, its uses can bloom and its rigid contours soften.

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A mix of old favorites and new music from NPR's All Songs Considered.

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New music and the music that inspired it, from local to legendary. From Minnesota Public Radio.

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KCRW's 24/7 music channel, curated by Morning Becomes Eclectic.

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Dedicated to music and discovery, from indie rock to Afropop.

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Portland's mix of Pacific Northwest artists and the best new music.

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All Songs Considered

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All Songs Considered

Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton spin new music from emerging bands and musical icons.

Alt.Latino

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Alt.Latino

Latino arts and culture explained with music and conversation, presented by Felix Contreras.

Fresh Air Interviews

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Fresh Air Interviews

Terry Gross interviews luminary artists about their lives and musical work

From the Top

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From The Top

NPR Music presents From The Top program highlights. For the complete From The Top program website, visit www.fromthetop.org.

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Jazz Night

Jazz Night In America is a public radio program, a video concert documentary series, and an online home for the music, from NPR Music, WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Metropolis

Metropolis

KCRW's Jason Bentley hosts a weekly spin of the best electronic, dance and beyond.

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Mountain Stage

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Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

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Piano Jazz

Each week, NPR's award-winning program showcases both acclaimed artists and up-and-coming performers as they share music and memories.

The Thistle & Shamrock

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The Thistle & Shamrock

Award-winning radio host Fiona Ritchie explores evolving music from Celtic roots in Europe and North America.

World Cafe

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World Cafe

WXPN in Philadelphia and host Raina Douris present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

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