Photo Credit: Blackpink by aanglerrr / CC by 4.0
K-pop streams have surged globally on Spotify in the last five years by 362%, and 182% in the US alone, as the genre’s influence continues to grow.
The global streaming of K-pop music continues to surge as the genre’s worldwide influence continues to grow. In the last five years, K-pop streams on Spotify (the world leader in music streaming platforms) have increased by 362% in the global market, and 182% in the United States in 2023, compared to 2018. In Southeast Asia, where K-pop is at its most popular, streaming surged by a whopping 423% during the same time period.
“K-pop has become a global force, with artists breaking into international charts like Billboard,” said Park Jung-joo, Head of Spotify Korea’s music team during a company event in Seoul. “K-pop, which started in Korea, is being connected with fans around the world through many artists.”
Interestingly, the US is at the forefront of countries with the most K-pop listeners, followed by Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, India, Brazil, Malaysia, and Canada. Collaborations between K-pop and international artists have also helped fuel the genre’s worldwide appeal.
Spotify noted that Tomorrow X Together’s collaboration with Brazilian artist Anitta, “Back for More,” and Blackpink’s Lisa teaming up with pop star Rosalía for “New Woman,” both brought a surge in the respective K-pop acts’ first-time listeners.
Further, Spotify’s Billions Club, a prestige playlist with tracks that have over a billion streams, continues to welcome K-pop songs, like BTS member Jimin’s “Like Crazy,” Blackpink member Lisa’s “Money,” and Blackpink’s “How You Like That.” BTS member Jungkook’s “Seven” reached the one-billion-streams threshold after just 108 days since its release, making it the fastest track in Spotify’s history to join the club.
It’s also notable that K-pop’s growth on the platform is not limited to A-list acts like BTS and Blackpink, but is evident among rising groups as well. In the first half of 2024, four of the top five most-streamed Korean songs internationally were from new groups, including ILLIT, Le Sserafim, and Babymonster.
Spotify data shows growing monthly listenership for emerging K-pop acts, with Babymonster securing 7.5 million listeners, Kiss of Life drawing in 6.7 million listeners, and ILLIT having an impressive 10 million listeners worldwide.
