K-pop Concert Attendance Among U.S. Fans (Image source: Courtesy of Billboard)
SEOUL, Aug. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent Billboard survey reveals that while a significant share of U.S.-based K-pop fans are spending heavily on albums and merchandise, far fewer are attending live concerts—a disconnect shaped largely by geography and cost.
According to the report titled “K-POP Fandom in the U.S.”, 41% of American K-pop fans spend more than $100 annually on physical K-pop albums, with 20% surpassing the $250 mark.
The survey, conducted from August 15 to 30 last year among 1,400 Billboard readers aged 14 and older, found that 63% had purchased at least one K-pop CD over the previous year.
Nearly half of respondents said they bought multiple copies of the same album due to variations in packaging and design.
Despite the robust spending on physical media, just 47% of respondents had attended a K-pop concert in the past year. Only 16% had seen more than three performances. When asked why, 64% cited the distance to venues and 56% pointed to high ticket prices.
Boy Band BTS (Image courtesy of BigHit Music)
The data also highlights demographic trends in the U.S. fan base: 80% of respondents were women, and nearly half were aged 24 or younger. Interestingly, the 45–54 age group, though making up only 11% of fans, emerged as the most active in terms of merchandise and album purchases.
Among this group, 82% bought K-pop-related products such as clothing and posters, and 55% purchased bundled album-merchandise packages—the highest rate across all age groups.
Glen Peoples, a senior analyst at Billboard, noted that K-pop fandom stands apart from other music genres due to its intensity and organization. “K-pop fans aren’t just casual listeners,” he said. “They are deeply devoted, proactive, and community-driven.”
As K-pop continues to cement its foothold in the U.S. market, the findings suggest a loyal fan base willing to spend—but also a growing demand for broader access to live events outside major metropolitan areas.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
