GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Kpop Industry Statistics

The Kpop industry continues to demonstrate exponential growth worldwide, with a large global fanbase and increasing revenue from music sales, concerts, and merchandise.

Highlights: Kpop Industry Statistics

  • In 2019, the estimated revenue of the Kpop industry was worth $4.7 billion.
  • Out of six major entertainment industries in South Korea, SM Entertainment sales for 2020 was $477 million.
  • As of March 2021, BTS is the most-streamed K-pop artist on Spotify, with over 16 billion streams.
  • As of January 2021, BTS's music video for "Dynamite" is the most-viewed K-pop music video on YouTube, with over 600 million views.
  • Psy's "Gangnam Style" was the first YouTube video to hit 1 billion views.
  • In terms of global album sales, BTS has the highest sales, with over 20 million albums sold.
  • In 2019, the South Korean music industry was the sixth largest in the world, estimated at 5.4 billion dollars.
  • As of 2021, Blackpink is the girl group with the most subscribers on YouTube, with over 58 million subscribers.
  • As of 2020, South Korea has 41.8 million K-pop fans on social media.
  • K-pop albums reported sales growth of 59% in 2019, increasing from 2018.
  • According to IFPI, in 2020, BTS became the top-selling artists globally.
  • In 2020, the K-pop industry lost nearly $9.9 billion because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • As of 2021, K-pop singers BTS have the most-followers for a South Korean account on Instagram with around 29.1 million followers.
  • In 2020, South Korea shipped $600 million worth of recorded music and related goods.
  • Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is home to more than 300 entertainment companies specializing in K-pop.
  • An estimated 90% of K-pop trainees who start training quit before they can debut.
  • Since 2012, K-pop has increased its global album market share by nearly 100 percent each year.

Our Newsletter

The Business Week In Data

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!

Table of Contents

The Latest Kpop Industry Statistics Explained

In 2019, the estimated revenue of the Kpop industry was worth $4.7 billion.

The statistic “In 2019, the estimated revenue of the Kpop industry was worth $4.7 billion” signifies that in the year 2019, the total income generated by the Kpop industry, which includes music sales, concerts, merchandise, endorsements, and other related sources, amounted to approximately $4.7 billion. This statistic reflects the significant economic impact and global popularity of Kpop as a music genre and cultural phenomenon. The revenue figure demonstrates the financial success and growth of the Kpop industry, showcasing its ability to attract and engage fans worldwide, resulting in substantial earnings for artists, entertainment companies, and various stakeholders within the Kpop ecosystem.

Out of six major entertainment industries in South Korea, SM Entertainment sales for 2020 was $477 million.

The statistic “Out of six major entertainment industries in South Korea, SM Entertainment sales for 2020 was $477 million” highlights the significant revenue generated by SM Entertainment in comparison to other major entertainment companies in the country. With sales totaling $477 million in 2020, SM Entertainment emerged as a key player in the South Korean entertainment industry. This statistic underscores the company’s financial success and market dominance within the competitive landscape of South Korea’s entertainment sector, positioning SM Entertainment as a major contributor to the country’s overall entertainment economy.

As of March 2021, BTS is the most-streamed K-pop artist on Spotify, with over 16 billion streams.

As of March 2021, BTS holds the distinction of being the most-streamed K-pop artist on Spotify, accumulating an impressive total of over 16 billion streams. This statistic showcases BTS’ immense global popularity and the strong following they have garnered among music listeners worldwide. The staggering number of streams not only highlights the group’s musical success but also underscores their ability to connect with a massive fan base through their music, performances, and overall presence in the music industry. BTS’ dominance in streaming platforms like Spotify further solidifies their position as one of the most influential and celebrated acts in the K-pop genre, setting new records and milestones within the industry.

As of January 2021, BTS’s music video for “Dynamite” is the most-viewed K-pop music video on YouTube, with over 600 million views.

The statistic indicates that as of January 2021, BTS’s music video for “Dynamite” holds the record for being the most-viewed K-pop music video on YouTube, surpassing 600 million views. This accomplishment demonstrates the immense popularity and global reach of BTS, a South Korean boy band that has achieved unprecedented success in the music industry. The high view count reflects the strong fan base and widespread appeal of BTS’s music both within the K-pop genre and beyond, highlighting their influence and impact on the entertainment world.

Psy’s “Gangnam Style” was the first YouTube video to hit 1 billion views.

The statistic that Psy’s “Gangnam Style” was the first YouTube video to hit 1 billion views highlights the remarkable success and popularity of the song and its accompanying music video. Released in 2012, “Gangnam Style” quickly became a global phenomenon, capturing the world’s attention with its catchy tune and quirky dance moves. The fact that it was the first video on YouTube to reach 1 billion views demonstrates the widespread appeal and viral nature of the song, solidifying its place in pop culture history.

In terms of global album sales, BTS has the highest sales, with over 20 million albums sold.

The statistic that BTS has the highest global album sales, with over 20 million albums sold, indicates the significant commercial success and popularity of the South Korean boy band in the music industry. This statistic highlights the immense fan base and widespread appeal of BTS on a global scale. By surpassing 20 million album sales, BTS solidifies their position as one of the best-selling and most influential music acts in the world. The remarkable sales figures underscore the band’s ability to connect with audiences worldwide and sustain their success over a sustained period, cementing their status as one of the biggest musical phenomena of recent years.

In 2019, the South Korean music industry was the sixth largest in the world, estimated at 5.4 billion dollars.

The statistic indicates that in 2019, the South Korean music industry ranked sixth globally in terms of market size, with an estimated value of 5.4 billion dollars. This suggests that South Korea’s music industry was a significant player on the international stage, showcasing its growth and impact. The ranking reflects the popularity and success of South Korean music, particularly K-pop, which has gained immense global popularity in recent years. The industry’s impressive economic value highlights the substantial contribution of South Korean music to the global entertainment market and underscores its importance both culturally and economically.

As of 2021, Blackpink is the girl group with the most subscribers on YouTube, with over 58 million subscribers.

As of 2021, Blackpink holds the distinction of being the girl group with the largest number of subscribers on YouTube, boasting over 58 million subscribers. This statistic highlights the significant popularity and influence of Blackpink within the music industry and among YouTube viewers. The vast number of subscribers not only indicates a strong fan base but also reflects the group’s ability to connect with a global audience and leverage online platforms to reach a wide range of fans. Blackpink’s impressive subscriber count underscores their status as a powerhouse girl group in the music world and signals their strong presence in the digital realm.

As of 2020, South Korea has 41.8 million K-pop fans on social media.

The statistic ‘As of 2020, South Korea has 41.8 million K-pop fans on social media’ indicates the substantial popularity and widespread appeal of K-pop music and culture, both within South Korea and globally. The figure of 41.8 million K-pop fans specifically highlights the significant presence of dedicated followers on various social media platforms. This statistic reflects the immense influence and reach of K-pop artists and groups, as well as the power of social media in connecting fans and promoting the genre. Such a large number of fans underscores the importance of K-pop as a cultural phenomenon and its ability to engage millions of people across diverse demographics and geographic locations.

K-pop albums reported sales growth of 59% in 2019, increasing from 2018.

The statistic indicates that the reported sales of K-pop albums saw a substantial growth of 59% in 2019 compared to the sales in 2018. This growth highlights a significant increase in the popularity and demand for K-pop music and albums during the specified period. Factors contributing to this surge in sales could include the expanding global fanbase of K-pop, successful marketing strategies, and the quality of music produced by K-pop artists and groups. The statistic suggests a thriving market for K-pop albums and indicates a positive trend in the music industry for K-pop genre specifically.

According to IFPI, in 2020, BTS became the top-selling artists globally.

The statistic ‘According to IFPI, in 2020, BTS became the top-selling artists globally’ indicates that the South Korean boy band BTS had the highest sales of music recordings and albums worldwide in the year 2020, as officially recognized by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). This achievement highlights BTS’s immense popularity and success on a global scale, showcasing their ability to connect with audiences across different countries and cultures. Being named the top-selling artists of 2020 demonstrates the widespread influence and impact that BTS has had in the music industry, solidifying their position as one of the biggest and most successful musical acts in the world.

In 2020, the K-pop industry lost nearly $9.9 billion because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statistic ‘In 2020, the K-pop industry lost nearly $9.9 billion because of the COVID-19 pandemic’ reflects the substantial economic impact that the global health crisis had on the K-pop industry. The loss of revenue can be attributed to various factors such as canceled concerts, postponed tours, decreased album sales, and disrupted promotional activities due to restrictions on public gatherings and travel. The pandemic forced many K-pop entertainment companies to adapt their business models and explore alternative ways to engage with fans and generate income, including virtual concerts and online fan meetings. This significant financial setback underscores the vulnerabilities of the entertainment industry during times of crisis and highlights the industry’s resilience in finding innovative solutions to overcome challenges.

As of 2021, K-pop singers BTS have the most-followers for a South Korean account on Instagram with around 29.1 million followers.

The statistic indicates that as of 2021, the South Korean K-pop group BTS holds the record for the most number of followers for a South Korean Instagram account, with approximately 29.1 million followers. This suggests that BTS has a massive and dedicated global following on the social media platform, highlighting their immense popularity and influence not only in their home country of South Korea but also around the world. The significant number of followers demonstrates the group’s strong presence in the online sphere and their ability to engage with fans through social media, showcasing the power of their music, performances, and overall brand.

In 2020, South Korea shipped $600 million worth of recorded music and related goods.

The statistic ‘In 2020, South Korea shipped $600 million worth of recorded music and related goods’ represents the total monetary value of recorded music and associated products that were exported from South Korea during the year 2020. This figure reflects the significant role of the music industry in South Korea’s economy, both domestically and globally. It indicates the country’s strong position in the global music market and underscores the economic impact of South Korean music and related cultural products. Additionally, the statistic may serve as a measure of the country’s cultural influence on an international scale, as music and entertainment from South Korea continue to gain popularity around the world.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is home to more than 300 entertainment companies specializing in K-pop.

The statistic that Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is home to more than 300 entertainment companies specializing in K-pop showcases the significant role that South Korea plays in the global music industry, particularly in the genre of K-pop. The concentration of over 300 entertainment companies in Seoul underscores the city’s status as a hub for K-pop production, talent development, and promotion. This statistic highlights the economic and cultural impact of K-pop, not only within South Korea but also internationally, as K-pop continues to gain popularity and influence around the world. Additionally, the presence of numerous entertainment companies specializing in K-pop in Seoul signifies the competitive nature of the industry, with companies vying to discover, train, and promote the next generation of K-pop stars.

An estimated 90% of K-pop trainees who start training quit before they can debut.

This statistic indicates that a significant majority of individuals who begin training to become K-pop idols ultimately do not reach the point of debuting as part of a group. The high dropout rate of approximately 90% suggests that the process of training to become a K-pop idol is exceptionally challenging and competitive, with many aspiring trainees unable to endure the demanding lifestyle, intense training regimen, fierce competition, and strict standards set by entertainment companies. This statistic illuminates the rigorous nature of the K-pop industry and the difficulties that trainees face in pursuing their dreams of debuting as idol singers.

Since 2012, K-pop has increased its global album market share by nearly 100 percent each year.

The statistic indicates that the global album market share of K-pop has been growing rapidly since 2012, with an annual increase of close to 100 percent each year. This suggests a substantial surge in the popularity and demand for K-pop music worldwide, leading to a significant expansion of its market presence over the years. The remarkable growth rate highlights the success and influence of K-pop in the music industry, attracting a dedicated and increasing fan base across various countries. This trend underscores the genre’s ability to resonate with audiences on a global scale and its potential for continued growth and impact in the music market.

Conclusion

The statistics outlined in this blog post provide valuable insights into the dynamic and thriving Kpop industry. As we continue to analyze trends and data, it is evident that Kpop is not just a genre of music, but a global cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The industry’s growth, influence, and innovation are truly remarkable, making it a force to be reckoned with in the music and entertainment landscape.

References

0. – https://www.variety.com

1. – https://www.investorplace.com

2. – https://www.www.ifpi.org

3. – https://www.www.hani.co.kr

4. – https://www.www.financialexpress.com

5. – https://www.www.forbes.com

6. – https://www.www.theculturetrip.com

7. – https://www.www.bbc.com

8. – https://www.www.statista.com

9. – https://www.world.kbs.co.kr

10. – https://www.techcrunch.com

11. – https://www.www.businessinsider.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

Table of Contents

... Before You Leave, Catch This! 🔥

Your next business insight is just a subscription away. Our newsletter The Week in Data delivers the freshest statistics and trends directly to you. Stay informed, stay ahead—subscribe now.

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!