From Seoul to Mumbai: A Comparative Analysis of How K-Pop and I-Pop Shape New Forms of English in Global Entertainment

Abstract

This research explores how English is used in two major Asian music industries which are K-Pop and I-Pop. In different digital platforms English is now spreading faster and it appears in new hybrid forms so, this study compares how Asian music adopt English differently. It uses a qualitative content analysis of 20 selected songs, 10 from each industry to understand the purposes. Using Kachru’s (1985) Three Circles Model because it highlights each industry’s position. The findings show clear contrasts. As in K-Pop, English is used mainly for symbolic reasons while on the other hand, Indian Pop uses English as a natural part of India’s multilingual culture. Overall, this study contributes to cultural exchange, identity formation and ongoing evolution of world English. Future studies can look more deeply at how English in different industries changes over time. Researchers can study larger samples of songs to understand the language patterns more accurately.