Korean Cultural Center in Germany Director Yang Sang-keun, left, poses with Justin Timpe, second from left, the host of the new RBB radio show "Best Music K-Pop," and other executives at Fritz Radio. Courtesy of Korean Cultural Center in Germany
Germany is launching its first-ever radio show dedicated solely to K-pop, signaling the increasing influence of Korean popular culture worldwide.
The program, titled "Best Music K-Pop," debuts Monday on Fritz Radio, a popular music channel operated by the public broadcaster RBB. Airing every other Monday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., the show promises two hours of K-pop hits, rising stars and insights into broader elements of Korean culture.
In its launch announcement, RBB emphasized the growing presence of Korean pop culture in Germany. The new show will not only feature the latest K-pop tracks but also explore aspects of hallyu, or the Korean wave, "from BLACKPINK and Kimchi, BTS and Bibimbap, to NewJeans, Itaewon Class, (G)I-DLE, Squid Game and much more," according to the station. Its host, Justin Timpe, a German broadcaster and K-pop enthusiast, will bring his expertise and passion for the genre to the airwaves.
The Korean Cultural Center in Germany played a crucial role in the show's creation, collaborating closely with Fritz Radio for several months. The center provided insights and content, ensuring the program caters to the growing demand for hallyu-related media in Germany.
The center's director, Yang Sang-keun, recorded a special opening in Korean, which will be broadcast at the start of every episode. Yang expressed his excitement for the new program, saying, "This marks a significant step in bringing K-pop and Korean culture to German audiences on one of the country's most influential media platforms on a regular basis."
Yang further emphasized the center's commitment to supporting the show with updated content and resources with hopes for the program to foster a deeper connection between Germany and Korean culture as K-pop continues to gain traction across Europe.