K-pop remains the core of Hallyu as BLACKPINK tops global buzz with 14.2%

K-pop continues to dominate the global Hallyu wave, and BLACKPINK is leading the conversation.

According to the 2025 Global Hallyu Trend Analysis Report released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture Information Service Agency, K-pop accounted for the largest share of international media coverage on Korean content across Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America.

The data confirms what the industry has long observed the global Hallyu boom is still powered by K-pop.

K-pop takes the biggest share worldwide

Among all Korean cultural exports, K-pop recorded the highest proportion of coverage in every major region:

• Asia: 31.8%
• Europe: 24.5%
• North America: 32.3%
• Latin America: 38.1%

This means that in global media narratives about Korean culture, K-pop remains the most talked-about category.

BLACKPINK ranks No.1 in global attention

Within the K-pop sector, BLACKPINK secured the highest buzz share at 14.2%, maintaining its position as the most attention-grabbing Korean act worldwide.

They were followed by:

• BTS – 7.3%
• NewJeans – 3.0%

Interest in BLACKPINK extended beyond group activities to individual members:

• Rosé – 9.0%
• Jennie – 5.0%
• Lisa – 5.0%
• Jisoo – 2.6%

This reflects the group’s powerful dual structure global influence as a team and as solo artists.

Where global Hallyu coverage is coming from

Out of 4,507 analyzed international articles:

1. Asia – 44.0%
2. Europe – 20.8%
3. North America – 16.9%

By country, the United States generated the highest number of reports, followed by India, Argentina, and Vietnam.

In the U.S. alone:

• K-pop – 33.8%
• K-film – 21.8%
• K-drama – 12.7%
• K-food – 11.6%

K-pop clearly leads the cultural conversation in the world’s largest media market.

“K-pop Demon Hunters” becomes the most influential single content

Among individual titles, the Netflix animated film “K-pop Demon Hunters” showed the strongest global ripple effect.

• Over 300 million views
• OST “Golden” reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100

Its success was attributed to the blend of:

• Korean traditional mythology
• K-food elements such as kimbap and ramyeon
• Global music storytelling

The project demonstrated how multi-genre K-content can amplify global impact.

K-dramas continue to drive tourism and online challenges

The Netflix drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (폭싹 속았수다), set in Jeju, created measurable tourism demand after its release.

Localized titles for each country and its universal family narrative helped build emotional resonance across cultures, while social media trends such as the “My Own Gwansik Challenge” extended its global reach.

Meanwhile, “Squid Game 3” ranked No.1 in 93 countries, proving the franchise still holds massive mainstream power despite changing critical reception.

K-food rises with global streaming exposure

Korean food also saw a noticeable surge in global visibility.

Keywords such as:

• kimchi
• soju
• ramyeon
• bibimbap

gained traction alongside new associations with chefs and major Netflix titles.

Shows featuring Korean cuisine played a key role in turning food into a core Hallyu driver.

A data-driven look at the global Hallyu wave

The report analyzed approximately 1.5 million pieces of Hallyu-related data — including international news coverage and social media — collected from 30 countries between October 2024 and September 2025.

The conclusion is clear:

K-pop is still the center of global Hallyu, and BLACKPINK remains its most powerful headline act.