Asian Pop's Global Ascent: 88rising Founder Predicts Next Wave of Icons at Tribeca Film Festival

NEW YORK – At the Tribeca Film Festival, Jaeson Ma, founder of the Asian record label 88rising and producer of the new film "K-pops!", shared his insights on the burgeoning global influence of Asian music and entertainment. Ma emphasized that K-pop, once considered a niche genre, has transcended boundaries to become a worldwide phenomenon. "Many times people think of K-pop as a niche genre for a specific fan group, but now it's global and worldwide with BTS, Blackpink," Ma stated during an interview on the red carpet. He highlighted the immense success of these groups as a testament to the genre's broad appeal. Looking ahead, Ma expressed strong conviction about the future of Asian pop. "What I really believe is going to happen next is we're going to see Asian pop icons," he predicted. "That literally you're just going to love them because their music, their artistry, their story is so amazing, so unforgettable, and so magnetic. That's going to be truly global pop stars that are just on the merit of their talent." Ma believes that the groundwork laid by K-pop and artists from 88rising, such as Joji, Rich Brian, and Niki, has paved the way for this next wave of talent. The premiere of "K-pops!" at Tribeca further underscores the increasing visibility and impact of Asian narratives and artists in the global entertainment landscape.