The newest hits: K-pop without the K

This is a big win for the tiny nation. Once known mainly for making computer chips and cars (South Korean giants include Samsung, LG, Hyundai), the country first began exporting its squeaky-clean pop-culture brands in the early 2000s, with the first wave of K-serials washing over Japan. Many of these shows — tales of love, heartbreak, betrayal — had original soundtracks made up largely of soft, heartfelt ballads. In 2003, K-pop made its first major inroads into Japan, as Korean singer BoA climbed the charts. Bands such as TVXQ…