In a 2023 survey conducted across 26 countries worldwide, around 27 percent of respondents stated that a factor working in favor of K-pop was that the music itself was good. Other commonly named factors included the outstanding performances and the attractive styling and appearances of singers.
K-pop
During the past decade, Korean pop music has become popular in countries all around the world. In a survey about the popularity of K-pop in their home country, almost half of all respondents reported that it was very popular to the point that not only enthusiasts but also ordinary people knew of it. K-pop mainly revolves around boy and girl groups, which consist of multi-talented singers and dancer. The industry is known for being extremely competitive, and having a dedicated fanbase.
Hallyu
At first glance it might seem that the success has come out of nowhere, but the South Korean government has strategically sold cultural content first in Asia and then in the rest of the world. Hallyu, the so-called "Korean wave", has had an immense positive effect on the South Korean economy. For example, a report estimates that the three concerts held by the boy group BTS in Seoul in 2019 have a total direct and indirect impact of around 923 billion South Korean won. As of 2023, BTS were the most popular K-pop artist worldwide.
Main reasons for South Korean pop music's (K-pop) popularity worldwide as of November 2023
respondents who experienced South Korean music contents
Method of interview
Online panel
Supplementary notes
* 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.
Original question: "What do you think is the biggest factor working in the favor of Korean music?"
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Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. (April 2, 2024). Main reasons for South Korean pop music's (K-pop) popularity worldwide as of November 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/937260/south-korea-reasons-for-kpop-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. "Main reasons for South Korean pop music's (K-pop) popularity worldwide as of November 2023." Chart. April 2, 2024. Statista. Accessed October 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/937260/south-korea-reasons-for-kpop-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. (2024). Main reasons for South Korean pop music's (K-pop) popularity worldwide as of November 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/937260/south-korea-reasons-for-kpop-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. "Main Reasons for South Korean Pop Music's (K-pop) Popularity Worldwide as of November 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 2 Apr 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/937260/south-korea-reasons-for-kpop-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Main reasons for South Korean pop music's (K-pop) popularity worldwide as of November 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/937260/south-korea-reasons-for-kpop-popularity-worldwide/ (last visited October 30, 2024)
Main reasons for South Korean pop music's (K-pop) popularity worldwide as of November 2023 [Graph], Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, April 2, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/937260/south-korea-reasons-for-kpop-popularity-worldwide/