According to a 2023 survey conducted across 26 countries, nearly 50 percent of respondents stated that the genre K-pop was “very popular” in their country. The popularity was at the point where K-pop was known to the general public and related products were being sold. The survey found that the popularity of K-pop reaches far beyond South Korean borders.
K-pop industry
K-pop is a genre of South Korean popular music. Although the term includes music of a variety of stylistic origins, it is often associated with so-called K-pop idols. Idols are usually young individuals, who are known for being good-looking, fashionable, highly trained in singing and dancing, as well as having an almost perfect image. They often make their debut in boy or girl groups, who promote their songs with music videos that feature intense choreographies. The most successful groups are often signed under South Koreas biggest agencies, were they undertake strict training before they make their debut. The K-pop entertainment company with the highest sales revenue in 2022 was HYBE, who manage multiple successful idols and labels, including global stars BTS.
K-pop is constantly growing
While the majority in Western countries have not heard about K-pop before PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’ in 2012, Korean pop idols started to become famous in Asian countries in 2003. Singer BoA and boy group TVXQ became the first K-pop idols to successfully break into the Japanese market. With the support of the South Korean government, who saw the industries economic potential, the so-called Korean wave (hallyu) started to spread even further, and K-pop gained a global audience. Girl group BLACKPINK was the first K-pop band to headline the famous U.S. music festival Coachella in 2019. With BTS currently on hiatus due to military obligations, and album sales exploding, SEVENTEEN and Stray Kids have pulled ahead to become the biggest active boy groups in South Korea currently.
Popularity of South Korean pop music (K-pop) worldwide as of November 2023
respondents who experienced South Korean cultural contents
Method of interview
Online panel
Supplementary notes
Original question: "How popular is K-pop in your country at the moment?"
* This survey was conducted in the following 26 countries: China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Australia, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Russia, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Africa.
Respondents count by country was as follows:
China: 1,600
Japan: 1,000
Taiwan: 800
Thailand: 900
Malaysia: 800
Indonesia: 1,200
India: 1,600
Vietnam: 900
Kazakhstan: 700
Australia: 800
U.S.: 1,400
Canada: 800
Mexico: 1,000
Brazil: 1,200
Argentina: 800
UK: 900
France: 900
Italy: 900
Spain: 800
Germany: 900
Russia: 1,000
Turkey: 900
UAE: 700
Saudi Arabia: 800
Egypt: 900
South Africa: 800
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Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. (April 2, 2024). Popularity of South Korean pop music (K-pop) worldwide as of November 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/937232/south-korea-kpop-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. "Popularity of South Korean pop music (K-pop) worldwide as of November 2023." Chart. April 2, 2024. Statista. Accessed October 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/937232/south-korea-kpop-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. (2024). Popularity of South Korean pop music (K-pop) worldwide as of November 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/937232/south-korea-kpop-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. "Popularity of South Korean Pop Music (K-pop) Worldwide as of November 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 2 Apr 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/937232/south-korea-kpop-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Popularity of South Korean pop music (K-pop) worldwide as of November 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/937232/south-korea-kpop-popularity-worldwide/ (last visited October 30, 2024)
Popularity of South Korean pop music (K-pop) worldwide as of November 2023 [Graph], Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, April 2, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/937232/south-korea-kpop-popularity-worldwide/