The annual release of Spotify Wrapped for 2025 has offered a clear picture of global listening habits, and the biggest story is the rising power of K-Pop and Korean-linked music. Data shows that Korean artists and Korean-themed content are no longer a niche genre; they are a significant force in worldwide pop culture, challenging global chart traditions.
Rival streaming services, including Apple, Amazon Music, and YouTube, also release their own versions of Wrapped, tallying their users’ data and creating bespoke playlists of favourite songs.
K-Pop Dominates Global Album Chart
The biggest surprise proving K-Pop’s reach is the global success of the K-Pop Demon Hunters OST (Original Soundtrack). The soundtrack from the animated Netflix film secured the number two spot on Spotify’s Global Top Albums of 2025 list, just behind Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny’s latest album. This places a Korean-focused soundtrack ahead of major releases from established international artists like Billie Eilish, SZA, and Sabrina Carpenter.
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This album’s success is not limited to Spotify. Tracks from the fictional group HUNTR/X and Saja Boys show up on rival platforms too. The song “Golden” by HUNTR/X ranked number three on YouTube’s Top Songs of 2025 (UK) list, and “Soda Pop” was number four, highlighting that this music is finding a huge audience across different streaming services and continents.
ROSÉ and BTS Members Lead K-Pop Streaming
The most-listened-to K-Pop artist globally was BTS, which secured the top position on Spotify’s Global Top K-Pop Artists of the Year list. Their success shows the immense loyalty of their fan base, ARMY, who continue to stream their extensive music catalogue, even as members complete military service.
The most-listened-to K-Pop song globally was “APT.” by ROSÉ of BLACKPINK and Bruno Mars. The single was a dominant force, not only topping the K-Pop category but also claiming the number three spot on Spotify’s Global Top Songs of 2025 overall list, demonstrating its viral reach.
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Other solo members of major groups also featured prominently. Jimin’s “Who” landed at number three on the K-Pop song list, while Jin‘s “Don’t Say You Love Me” was number four. Jungkook also had a massive hit with “Seven (feat. Latto)” at number eight. Your favourite K-Pop artists are clearly making waves both in groups and on their own.
What The Top Artists Are Doing Now
BTS Members Plan Group Comeback after Military Service
All seven members of BTS completed their mandatory South Korean military service by June 2025. This marks the end of a nearly three-year group pause. The members are now firmly focused on their return as a septet. RM confirmed in August that the band is working on a new album, and in November, Jimin announced that all the music was complete. Fans are anticipating a major group release in early 2026.
Individually, members are also pursuing projects. J-Hope is currently on his first solo world tour, the ‘Hope on the Stage’ tour, which runs across the US and Asia throughout the year. Jungkook and Jimin launched their second Disney+ series, Are You Sure?!, in December, showing their adventures in Vietnam and Switzerland.
ROSÉ Focused on Solo Success and BLACKPINK Tour
ROSÉ is promoting her highly successful solo debut studio album, Rosie, which was released in December 2024. The album has achieved strong chart performance in both the UK and US, demonstrating her power as an independent artist. She even made an appearance at the GRAMMY Museum in December to discuss her creative process and her nominated hit single, “APT.”
Meanwhile, all four members of BLACKPINK have reunited for group activities after focusing on individual work. They started their ‘Deadline World Tour’ in July 2025, which is running across Asia, North America, and Europe into early 2026. This allows ROSÉ to balance her solo achievements with her group commitments.
Stray Kids Continue Global Festival Dominance
Stray Kids wrapped up their global ‘dominATE: celebrATE’ stadium tour in October. They continue to be a significant presence on the global festival circuit, a key reason for their high streaming figures. In December 2025, the group is scheduled to perform at major year-end events, including the 2025 Music Bank Global Festival in Japan and the 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon. The members are also receiving industry recognition, as they were recently named the No. 1 K-Pop band on the Forbes 30 List 2025.
The group’s success shows how touring and performance exposure in key global markets translates directly into massive streaming numbers for the group.
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Newcomers and Established Stars Share the Spotlight
The 2025 charts reveal a genre that supports both veterans and rising acts. HUNTR/X (No. 5 on the artist chart) and the girl group KATSEYE (No. 10 on the artist chart and No. 10 on the song chart with “Gabriela”) proved they are quickly building significant global listenership.
This data confirms that the worldwide appetite for K-Pop music is not slowing down. The genre’s polished output and consistent delivery of high-quality music ensures it continues to be a staple in global streaming figures, whether through major collaborations or successful solo efforts.
Here is a look at the most streamed K-Pop songs on Spotify in the last 24 hours from November 2025:
