Starting as a local music genre, popular culture, particularly K-Pop, has evolved into a global phenomenon that defines social dynamics, collective identity, and cultural diplomacy in the 21st century. In addition to boosting the economy, K-Pop also influences the psychosocial health of fans through trans-parasocial interactions and cross-cultural communication on digital platforms. Academic attention to K-Pop continues to increase as it evolves into its fifth generation, covering aspects of sociology, semiotics, and global media studies. However, to understand how this literature has developed, a comprehensive mapping is needed. The purpose of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis to find publication patterns, identify the most significant authors, and describe shifts in thematic focus in international academic discourse from year to year. The results of this study are expected to help other researchers understand K-Pop's position as a global cultural force.