South Korea's pop elite or stars of K-Pop showed off their talent in Seoul on Thursday (November 24) at this year's Melon Music Awards.<br/> The event, organised by music download site Melon, honours musicians and artists with winners decided via a public vote.<br/> Some 2,000 fans cheered on their idols in Seoul's Olympic Park.<br/> SOUNDBITE: 15-year-Old Hong Yoo-Rim, saying (Korean):<br/> "I am here to see f(x). They are pretty when I see them in person and they are singing very well. All of them are pretty and I expect their next album. I am really happy."<br/> SOUNDBITE: 24-year-Old Choi Seon-Hee, saying (Korean):<br/> "My friend and I bought tickets to be here. I am very happy to listen to their songs live. And the stage is pretty as well."<br/> Performances included those of girl group Sistar who recently celebrated success with hit single "So Cool" which became number one on the U.S. Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 charts.<br/> Other stars attending included members of boy band BEAST who received the top ten award at the ceremony.<br/> "Korean Pop" or "K-Pop" has grown in popularity since the mid-1990s, with pop groups such as H.O.T winning over young audiences in countries, such as China and more recently Europe and the U.S.<br/> Distinguished K-Pop features include repetitive choruses and sychronised group dancing.<br/> K-Pop fans often copy these and post them on the web.<br/> The U.S. Billboard even introduced a new K-Pop Hot 100 chart category earlier this year.<br/> Kathi Urban, Reuters
