Peru's K-Pop invasion

Sandra and Gabriel pose for a photo in their costumes in the style of characters from South Korean comic books at the Arenales shopping center in Lima, Peru, May 4, 2013.

The Arenales shopping center has entire floors dedicated to South Korean music, clothes and food.

K-pop is a movement, especially strong in Peru and Chile, that goes far beyond Psy and "Gangnam Style." Teenagers throughout Latin America have long looked north for pop music inspiration. Now the East is rising, with a large and enthusiastic cult of fans in some countries following the K-pop music from Korea.

Gino wears a costume that mimics the character "Pain" from a Japanese comic, during a K-pop music party held at a school that was rented for the occasion in Lima, Peru, May 25, 2013.

Isabel, dressed in the style of characters from Korean comic books, poses for a photo during a K-pop music party held at a school that was rented for the occasion in Lima, Peru, May 25, 2013.

Followers of Korean pop band Big Bang, imitate the band at the Ramon Castilla Park in Lima, Peru, May 11, 2013.

While there is little hard data, there is no questioning the fervor of the fans who turn up at Ramon Castilla Park each Saturday and emulate the dances of K-pop bands.

Members of a K-pop fan club for South Korean singer Kim Hyun Joong sell souvenirs at a gathering of her fans at Ramon Castilla park in Lima, Peru, May 18, 2013.

Joong was met by thousands of fans when he arrived at the airport in Peru's capital in February this year.

Fans of South Korea singer Heo Young Saeng watch his video play in a small video viewing area inside a shopping mall in Lima, Peru, May 18, 2013.

Teenagers throughout Latin America have long looked north for pop music inspiration. Now the East is rising, with a large and enthusiastic cult of fans in some countries following the K-pop music from Korea.

Silvia holds a fan as she poses for a photo at a party held at a school that was rented for the occasion in Lima, Peru.

Silvia and her friends are all dressed in costumes in the style of characters from Korean comic books.

Followers of K-pop music look at souvenirs of singers inside a store at the Arenales shopping center in Lima, Peru, May 25, 2013.

Parents and their children wait for a store to open that sells Korean pop music, known as K-Pop, at the Arenales shopping center in Lima, Peru, May 4, 2013.

Fans of South Korean K-pop singer Heo Young Saeng watch his video play in a viewing area inside a shopping mall in Lima, Peru, May 18, 2013.

"Although you won't believe it, in Peru the K-pop groups are starting to be more popular than Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga or Demi Lovato," said Diana Rodriguez, who is capitalizing on the trend by organizing Korean dance contests throughout Peru.

A fan of South Korean singer Hyun Joong shows a picture of him as she sits with other fans to celebrate the singer's birthday in Ramon Castilla park in Lima, Peru, May 11, 2013.

Hundreds of K-pop fans gather each week in the downtown park to dance to the energetic music. Some dress up as Korean comic book characters.

A poster of South Korean K-pop singer Woorissica stands against a tree trunk after it was left behind by fans in Ramon Castilla park in Lima, Peru, May 11, 2013.

A waitress dressed in the style of characters from Korean comic books works inside a restaurant at the Arenales shopping center in Lima, Peru, May 4, 2013.

Figures of South Korean comic book characters stand for sale at the Arenales shopping center in Lima, Peru, May 25, 2013.

A member of a fan club for South Korean singer Kim Kyun Jong shows his photographs of the singer as his friends dance in the background in Ramon Castilla park where fans gather in Lima, Peru, May 18, 2013.

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