K-Pop has been a driving force in the international music community, once stemming from a regional sensation to a cultural phenomenon. Immensely influential groups like Twice, BLACKPINK, BTS, and even solo artists like Jackson Wang, IU, and Jessi have been shedding cultural borders and language barriers alluring to an international community of fans. But did you know that Latino fans play a major role in its domination?
In 2021, K-PopTwitter posted an image showcasing the countries tweeting the most about K-Pop with Mexico and Brazil in the top 10 and Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador in the top 20. The dominant fanbase in each country affirm the fans’ reliance on digital media to not only display their support, but to continue it.
Article source: Mexico & Brazil Ranked in Top Countries Tweeting About K-Pop by Sofia E Gomez
Its popularity within the Latin community is amazing but unsurprising. The concept of idols is immensely attractive worldwide not only that but Latin American fan bases tend to be some of the most powerful around, with fans often yielding their hearts and souls to their favorite artists.
“BTS Scores the Biggest Boxscore in Almost a Decade, Thanks to Four Nights at SoFi Stadium The group’s four-night L.A. play earned $33.3 million and sold over 200,000 tickets, earning the sixth-highest grossing engagement in Billboard Boxscore history.” - By Eric Frankenberg, Billboard.com
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On a diplomatic level, the Korean government has been steadily promoting Korean culture throughout Latin America. Particularly in Mexico the Korean government promotes its culture through the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico.
The website of the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), previously published an article about the 2018 Friendly Cultures Fair, “held from April 14 to 29 in the Zócalo, recognized today as a major multi-cultural festival of Mexico City, attracted more than 3.5 million people. On the opening day, the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico set up a booth featuring various activities such as Korean calligraphy, hanbok dress-up and photo-taking, and K-pop dancing. The K-pop Dance Experience in Mexico Program presented K-pop fans with the opportunity to follow dance moves of their favorite songs. The Korean Cultural Center in Mexico had been visiting remote areas in touring caravans to promote Korean culture throughout the country. The third Korea Festival was set in Chiapas and business forums for Korean investors were held to promote direct investments in Monterrey and other lesser-known cities.”
“The growing trend in Latine and K-pop collaborations is an additional factor of K-pop’s emerging success in Latin America, with fans embracing each collaboration between the artists or creating potential collaboration predictions of their own.”
Lucia Ruan a Journalism MS graduate student at USC Annenberg, noted the following K-Pop/Latin collaborations
“Chicken Noodle Soup” - J-hope and Becky G
“Lullaby (Spanish ver.)” - GOT7
“Ice Cream” - BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez
“SG”- featuring Ozuna, Megan Thee Stallion and Lisa from BLACKPINK
The K-Pop fanbase is electric and overpowering. The concept of connectivity, global friendship, love, and identity are immense. In being a part of such a fanbase, you feel an interconnectedness. Cultural borders are thus more easily broken, and the language barrier becomes almost nonexistent. Music, regardless of language, race, ethnicity, or background is overpowering.