Posted on November 8, 2025
The United States is set to join countries such as Canada, Brazil, China, France, Australia and Malaysia in leading a tourism boom to South Korea next December, thanks to record-breaking K-pop events scheduled during the month. Millions of fans from around the world are expected to attend these events, which include G-DRAGON’s performance and the SBS Gayo Daejeon Winter Festival, making South Korea one of the most popular travel destinations in the world this December. These events will be crucial in attracting an unprecedented number of tourists, given the enormous global appeal of K-pop.
South Korea is gearing up for a tourism boom in December 2025, as major international K-Pop events such as G-DRAGON’s concert and the SBS Gayo Daejeon Winter Festival attract millions of fans from around the world. Among the countries expected to contribute significantly to this increase, the United States will join Canada, Brazil, China, France, Australia, Malaysia and many others, each of which plays a critical role in South Korea’s growing global appeal. With K-pop now becoming a dominant force on the global stage, tourism to South Korea is expected to break new records during these events.
Introduction to the K-Pop tourism boom in South Korea
In recent years, K-pop has evolved from a niche genre into a global phenomenon. As its popularity continues to rise, South Korea has become a top destination for international fans eager to experience the culture first-hand. The December 2025 events, including G-DRAGON’s debut concert (December 12-14) and the SBS Gayo Daejeon winter event (December 25), are expected to be massive. These events will highlight not only South Korea’s music scene but also its cultural appeal, making it a focal point for millions of international visitors.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, K-pop music is the main reason international visitors flock to South Korea. In 2025, the number of foreign visitors is expected to exceed 20 million, driven largely by an expected boom in K-pop-related tourism.
Key countries driving the K-Pop tourism boom
The rise of K-pop has led to a wide international fan base, and the following countries are expected to contribute significantly to the influx of tourists visiting South Korea for the December 2025 events.
1. China – leading the charge
- Tourist arrivals in 2024: 4.6 million visitors
- Growth in 2024: 109% increase year on year
China is the largest source market for South Korean tourism, accounting for 28.1% of tourists arriving in the country. Chinese K-pop’s fan base is one of the world’s largest, and G-DRAGON’s concert, in particular, is expected to attract large numbers of Chinese tourists. Despite political and social challenges, China’s influence on K-pop tourism continues to grow, with South Korea becoming a popular destination for short weekend trips to attend concerts and festivals.
2. Japan – the second largest shareholder
- Tourist arrivals in 2024: 3.2 million visitors
- Growth rate: Consistently strong fan engagement
Japan is South Korea’s second largest source market. The geographical proximity between the two countries makes it easy for Japanese fans to travel to attend concerts. Japanese K-Pop fans are known for their loyalty and long-standing interest in South Korean culture, especially G-Dragon and his music. The introduction of direct flights and ferry links between the two countries is boosting tourism in South Korea.
3. Taiwan – Strong supporter of K-pop
- Tourist arrivals in 2024: 1.5 million visitors
- Participation level: High enthusiasm, especially for G-DRAGON
The K-pop scene in Taiwan is exceptionally active, with tickets for G-DRAGON’s concerts frequently selling out. High-speed ferry services from Taiwan to South Korea have also made it easier for fans to attend concerts, adding to the growing influx of Taiwanese tourists. In 2025, the country is expected to send large numbers of fans to attend G-DRAGON and SBS Gayo Daejeon concert.
4. United States – Growing K-Pop fan base
- Tourist arrivals in 2024: 870,000 to 1.3 million visitors
- Participation level: The United States ranks second globally for K-pop fans, and its fan base is expanding
The United States has emerged as a major market for K-pop tourism, as the American fanbase has shown a willingness to travel long distances to attend major K-pop events. K-Pop has become mainstream, especially among younger demographics, and the December 2025 events will see a large number of American fans make the trip to Seoul to attend G-DRAGON and SBS Gayo Daejeon’s concert.
5. Southeast Asia – High-impact markets
Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, have proven to be major contributors to the global fan base of K-pop.
- Philippines (420,000 visitors)
- Thailand (510,000 visitors)
- Indonesia (+350,000 visitors)
These countries have strong K-pop fan bases, with fans often turning to social media to organize events, create viral hashtags, and generate excitement around K-pop events. With the expected high demand of fans from these countries, Southeast Asia is an important region in South Korea’s tourism outlook.
Secondary markets with strong growth potential
In addition to the major contributors, several secondary markets are showing promising growth in terms of tourism to South Korea.
1. Hong Kong (680,000 – 710,000 visitors)
Hong Kong serves as a regional hub with strong participation from K-pop fans. The city’s proximity to South Korea and well-developed transportation links make it a reliable contributor to increased tourism.
2. Vietnam (460 thousand visitors)
Vietnam is another fast-growing market, where K-pop is gaining traction among younger audiences. The success of G-DRAGON’s concerts in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City helped establish the country as a growing K-pop tourism hub.
3. Malaysia and Singapore
- Malaysia (350,000 visitors)
- Singapore (310,000 visitors)
These affluent markets in Southeast Asia have a strong and established interest in K-pop, driven by high-income tourists with a penchant for travel. Singapore, with its status as a concert hub, continues to provide a steady flow of visitors to South Korea.
4. France – Leading K-Pop market in Europe
France has emerged as the strongest market for K-pop music in Europe, with mentions of K-pop music increasing significantly over the past few years. The country’s growing passion for K-pop is expected to translate into a significant contribution to South Korea’s tourism numbers in December 2025.
5. Brazil and Mexico
- Brazil (ranked #8 globally in terms of K-Pop fan base)
- Mexico (ranked #9 globally in terms of K-Pop fan base)
Latin American countries are showing impressive growth in K-pop participation, with dedicated fan bases eager to travel long distances to see their artists perform.
Moderate impact markets: existing tourism sources
Many countries contribute moderately to the tourism boom, through well-established tourism markets and a growing following of K-pop.
- United Kingdom (169,000 visitors)
- Canada (+100,000 visitors)
- Australia (+200,000 visitors)
- Germany, Spain, New Zealand
While these markets are growing in interest in K-Pop, their contributions are not as large as the primary markets. However, continued tourism influx and K-pop’s expanding fan bases remain prominent factors in the overall growth outlook.
High potential emerging markets
1. Middle East (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar)
- Average spend per visit: $1,700 (27% higher than the overall tourist average)
The Middle East is rapidly emerging as a high-value market, especially among young people fascinated by K-pop culture. Although they represent less than 1% of international visitors, tourists from the Middle East contribute significantly to South Korea’s tourism revenue due to their high spending levels.
2. India – The growing center of K-Pop
India ranks seventh globally in terms of K-pop fan bases, and the India Tourism Organization (KTO) is actively targeting 100,000 expatriates from India in 2025. With India’s tech-savvy youth population increasingly adopting K-pop, this market holds huge potential for growth in the coming years.
Event impact factors
The timing of these events is critical to maximize tourism.
- G-DRAGON Encore Concert (December 12-14)
G-DRAGON, the “King of K-Pop,” continues to dominate the global music scene. His previous tours witnessed record attendance, with the number of attendees reaching more than 650,000 people worldwide. Tickets for his 2025 concerts are expected to sell out within hours, with international fans traveling in droves to Seoul. - SBS Gayo Daejeon Winter (December 25)
Featuring world-famous bands such as Stray Kids, ENHYPEN, IVE and LE SSERAFIM, the SBS Gayo Daejeon Winter Festival is expected to be a huge event. These groups already have a large international following, making this a major event for attracting global visitors.
Infrastructure supporting international tourism
South Korea’s tourism infrastructure has developed to meet the growing demand for international K-pop tourism. Key developments include:
- Interpark International
The platform, which facilitates the sale of concert tickets and travel shows, serves more than 7.6 million international users and has expanded its operations to meet the needs of K-pop music fans around the world. - Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)
KTO has appointed international K-pop stars such as BLACKPINK’s Jennie and actor Park Bo Gum as ambassadors, leveraging their international popularity to promote South Korea as a leading tourist destination.
The economic and cultural impact of K-pop tourism
The economic impact of K-pop tourism is profound, contributing billions to the South Korean economy. BTS’s “Love Yourself” tour has grossed more than $4 billion, while BLACKPINK’s tour has generated more than $100 million in ticket and merchandise sales.
Beyond the direct financial impact, K-pop tourism has fostered cultural exchange, as international visitors engage with various aspects of Korean culture, from food and fashion to traditional performances and modern attractions.
The United States is set to join Canada, Brazil, China, France, Australia, Malaysia and others, and will play a major role in driving South Korea’s tourism boom in December with record-breaking K-pop events. These events, including G-DRAGON’s final concert and the SBS Gayo Daejeon Winter Festival, are expected to attract millions of global fans, making December 2025 a milestone for tourism in South Korea.
With record numbers of tourists expected to attend the events in December 2025, South Korea is expected to strengthen its position as a top travel destination worldwide. The fact that countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, China, France, Australia, Malaysia and others are participating in the tourism boom shows how popular K-pop music is all over the world. K-pop continues to be a major factor in South Korea’s tourism scene, which is expected to grow at an unprecedented rate.
