K-Pop is huge in Mexico
Mexico has become the world’s fifth largest K-Pop market, proving the genre’s global reach goes far beyond Korea.
K-Pop’s Mexican audience is big
Mexico isn’t just casually into K-Pop, it’s one of the genre’s strongest listeners. According to Spotify, Mexico is the fifth-largest K-Pop market globally and the only Spanish-speaking country to break into the top 10. That’s over 14 million Mexican fans hitting play on their favourite idols.
Since the 2010s, Mexico has cemented itself as one of the biggest listeners for K-Pop. The movement has exploded in Mexico in recent years, with K-Pop streams increasing more than 500% in the last five years alone. This is largely thanks to the arrival of K-Pop groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Stray Kids, and Red Velvet.
Who’s listening?
Gen Z is driving the K-Pop fandom in Mexico. Nearly 7 in 10 Mexican K-Pop listeners are aged 29 or younger, and have varying tastes by age group. Mexico’s most dedicated K-Pop fans even stream more than 15 hours a day, that’s basically all day!
It goes beyond just listening too. Fans pack concert venues, organise themed events, and create thriving communities both in-person and on social media. While doing so, they even like to blend Korean pop culture with their very own Mexican twist.
What’s causing the drive?
So, why does K-Pop work so well in Mexico? K-Pop’s message resonates deeply with Mexican fans. The ideas of love, friendship, self-belief, and overcoming challenges build a sense of community, even across a language barrier.
“K-Pop artists connect with fans by being real and speaking openly about their feelings, which really resonates with young listeners in Mexico… They also promote an optimistic vision of the world- something that inspires fans to dream, believe in something better, and build strong, supportive communities together.”
Alejandro Grageda, Spotify Mexico’s Head of Music
There’s also streaming itself. Thanks to streaming platforms like Spotify, listeners can easily access global sounds instantly. That ease of discovery has allowed genres like K-Pop to thrive far from Korea, and breaks down barriers in ways that weren’t possible before streaming.