South Korean rapper PSY performs during the 70th anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, October 1, 2018. Ahn Young-joon/Pool via REUTERS 

South Korean rapper PSY performs during the 70th anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, October 1, 2018. Ahn Young-joon/Pool via REUTERS 

South Korean rapper Psy speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2017. Picture taken on May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

South Korean rapper Psy speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2017. Picture taken on May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

South Korean rapper Psy speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2017. Picture taken on May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

South Korean rapper Psy speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2017. Picture taken on May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

South Korean rapper Psy arrives to attend an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2017. Picture taken on May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

South Korean rapper Psy speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2017. Picture taken on May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

South Korean rapper Psy speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2017. Picture taken on May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

Recording artist Psy poses at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles, October 29, 2016. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok 

South Korean singer Psy performs during a countdown event to celebrate New Year in Seoul, South Korea, December 31, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

South Korean singer Psy performs during a countdown event to celebrate New Year in Seoul, South Korea, December 31, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

Singer PSY arrives at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles, California, November 7, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn

A boy poses for photographs next to the wax figure of South Korean singer Psy at Grevin Wax Museum in central Seoul, South Korea, July 30, 2015. French wax museum Musee Grevin has opened its first Asian branch in central Seoul with about 80 wax figures including those from hallyu (the Korean pop culture wave) displayed, according to local media. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji 

A member of South Korean girl group GFriend signs her autograph on their album as they rest before "The Show" in Seoul January 20, 2015. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 26 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group GFriend leave a studio after "The Show" in Seoul January 20, 2015. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 27 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group GFriend take a 'selfie' after their performance in "The Show" in Seoul January 20, 2015. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 25 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Fans of South Korean girl group GFriend react as GFriend perform during "The Show" in Seoul January 20, 2015. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 24 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group GFriend perform during "The Show" in Seoul January 20, 2015. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 22 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group GFriend perform during "The Show" in Seoul January 20, 2015. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 23 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'

TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group GFriend perform during a dress rehearsal of The Show in Seoul January 20, 2015. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 20 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group GFriend watch a recording of their stage performance during a dress rehearsal for The Show in Seoul January 20, 2015. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 21 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group Gfriend rehearse in Seoul December 23, 2014. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 19 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE ' ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group GFriend rehearse in Seoul December 23, 2014. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 18 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members from South Korean girl group GFriend receive a makeover as SinB (R 2nd) and Yuju (R) look on at a beauty salon in Seoul December 23, 2014. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 15 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Various cosmetics are laid out at a beauty salon in Seoul December 23, 2014. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 16 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'

TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Members of South Korean girl group GFriend rehearse for their debut in Seoul December 23, 2014. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 17 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE ' ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Jang Ha-jin, who was a trainee at S.M. Entertainment, performs in an empty practice room at a university in Daejeon December 18, 2014. Jang made it to S.M. Entertainment's coveted training programme a decade ago after winning a talent contest. She stuck to a seven-day regimen for nearly three years, before giving it all up to return to a more sedate life. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 14 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon and her mother pray before dinner at their house in Seoul December 16, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30am for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 12 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Jang Ha-jin who was a trainee at S.M, Entertainment, picks out a book at a university library in Daejeon December 18, 2014. Jang made it to S.M. Entertainment's coveted training programme a decade ago after winning a talent contest. She stuck to a seven-day regimen for nearly three years, before giving it all up to return to a more sedate life. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop (Korean pop) stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 13 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon plays a toy guitar at her house in Seoul November 20, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30am for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 11 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

A video clip shows Kim Si-yoon performing when she was four years old at her house in Seoul December 16, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30am for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 10 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Yoo Ga-eul plays in a playground in Seoul November 15, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim, like Yoo, has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 09 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon (centre L) and Yoo Ga-eul look at a smart phone as they take a short break at DEF Dance Skool in Seoul November 7, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30 a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 06 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon and Yoo Ga-eul (L) take a selfie at a restaurant in Seoul November 15, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 07 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE ' ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon (2nd R) and Yoo Ga-eul (R) take part in a singing lesson at DEF Dance Skool in Seoul November 15, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30 a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 05 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon and Yoo Ga-eul (L) dance in front of their mothers as they play at a playground in Seoul November 15, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 08 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon plays the piano during a lesson in Seoul November 20, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 03 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon attends a private English lesson in Seoul November 20, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30 a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 04 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'

TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon (C) takes part in a dance class at DEF Dance Skool in Seoul November 11, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens showed that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 02 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'


TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

Kim Si-yoon puts on her makeup as she arrives with her mother to take part in a dance class late at night at DEF Dance Skool in Seoul December 16, 2014. Nine-year-old Kim has no time to throw tantrums. She wakes up at 7:30a.m. for school, followed by hours of voice training, dance lessons and cram school before crashing into bed at midnight. Kim is an aspiring K-pop (Korean pop) star. Thousands of Korean children dream of becoming household names like rapper Psy, whose 2012 "Gangnam Style" video was a global YouTube hit, often putting up with punishing schedules in the hope of one day making it big in the music industry. A recent survey of pre-teens shows that 21 percent of respondents wanted to be K-pop stars when they grow up, the most popular career choice. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 01 OF 27 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'THE ROAD TO K-POP STARDOM'



TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'KIM K-POP' 

South Korean singer Psy leaves the stage after performing during the opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games in Incheon September 19, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT ENTERTAINMENT)

South Korean singer Psy performs during the opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games in Incheon September 19, 2014. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT ENTERTAINMENT)

South Korean singer Psy performs during the opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games in Incheon September 19, 2014. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT ENTERTAINMENT)

South Korean rapper Psy performs during a public screening before the 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match between South Korea and Russia, in Seoul June 18, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

South Korean rapper Psy performs during a public screening before the 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match between South Korea and Russia, in Seoul June 18, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP) 

South Korean rapper Psy performs during a public screening before the 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match between South Korea and Russia, in Seoul June 18, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP) 

Korean singer PSY poses for photographers as he arrives for the CJ Group 60th Anniversary Spotlight on Korean Cinema event at New York's Museum of Modern Art, November 7, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) 

Korean singer PSY poses for photographers as he arrives for the CJ Group 60th Anniversary Spotlight on Korean Cinema event at New York's Museum of Modern Art, November 7, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) 

Korean singer PSY arrives for the CJ Group 60th Anniversary Spotlight on Korean Cinema event at New York's Museum of Modern Art, November 7, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) 

A staff member at the K-Pop Garden adjusts a shirt inside the shop in Kuala Lumpur October 21, 2013. From rapper Psy to overseas financial aid, an economically and culturally confident South Korea appears to be taking on bigger neighbours Japan and China for the hearts and minds of the rest of Asia and beyond. Soft culture is just as important as hard politics and cash to Seoul. K-Pop, the carefully choreographed dance music showcased by bands like "Girls' Generation" had sales worth $3.4 billion, according to U.S. show business magazine Billboard. It is especially popular in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, where stars fly in almost every month to sold out concerts and Malaysian buyers line up for days for the latest Samsung smartphones. REUTERS/Samsul Said (MALAYSIA - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY) 

Customers look at items inside the K-Pop Garden shop in Kuala Lumpur October 21, 2013. From rapper Psy to overseas financial aid, an economically and culturally confident South Korea appears to be taking on bigger neighbours Japan and China for the hearts and minds of the rest of Asia and beyond. Soft culture is just as important as hard politics and cash to Seoul. K-Pop, the carefully choreographed dance music showcased by bands like "Girls' Generation" had sales worth $3.4 billion, according to U.S. show business magazine Billboard. It is especially popular in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, where stars fly in almost every month to sold out concerts and Malaysian buyers line up for days for the latest Samsung smartphones. REUTERS/Samsul Said (MALAYSIA - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY) 

A boy wearing a t-shirt with a picture of South Korean singer PSY carries bananas at a jetty on the Yangon river bank September 12, 2013. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: SOCIETY) 

South Korean singer Psy waves to the crowd as the Los Angeles Dodgers plays against the Cincinnati Reds during their MLB National League baseball game in Los Angeles, California July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Alex Gallardo (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL ENTERTAINMENT) 

Cast member Lee Byung-hun of South Korea (R) poses with his compatriot and singer Psy at the premiere of the film "Red 2" in Los Angeles, California July 11, 2013. The movie opens in the U.S. on July 19. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) 

South Korean singer Psy poses at the premiere of the film "Red 2" in Los Angeles, California July 11, 2013. The movie opens in the U.S. on July 19. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) 

South Korean singer Psy performs during a charity soccer match between the Park Ji-sung and Friends team and Shanghai Laokele Stars at the Shanghai Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai, June 23, 2013. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER ENTERTAINMENT) 

South Korean singer Psy performs during a charity soccer match between the Park Ji-sung and Friends team and Shanghai Laokele Stars at the Shanghai Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai, June 23, 2013. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER ENTERTAINMENT) 

South Korean singer Psy performs during a charity soccer match between the Park Ji-sung and Friends team and Shanghai Laokele Stars at the Shanghai Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai, June 23, 2013. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER ENTERTAINMENT)