{"id":106059,"date":"2025-09-25T10:54:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T09:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=106059"},"modified":"2025-09-25T10:54:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T09:54:18","slug":"spotify-third-place-south-korea-streaming-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/spotify-third-place-south-korea-streaming-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotify shoots to third place in South Korea\u2019s streaming market"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spotify’s user base in South Korea has seen a spike, and we can guess why.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spotify has taken a major step forward in South Korea\u2019s music streaming market. According to figures from research firm WiseApp, reported by Chosun Biz<\/a>, the platform\u2019s monthly active users grew by 168% in the past year to reach 4.24 million people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sharp increase has pushed Spotify ahead of local services Genie Music and Flo, both of which have seen growth stall. YouTube Music remains in first place with 10.1 million users, while Melon is second with 6.2 million, though its audience has dropped by 5% over the same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wiseapp bases its findings on real-time app and payment data, as well as a survey of monthly active users (MAU) of major streaming platforms in the country. Although these are estimates based on smartphone usage data, it’s plain to see the impact Spotify is having on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spotify\u2019s growth in South Korea is undeniably linked to the launch of its free tier<\/a> in October 2024. Before then, the app was only available as a paid subscription, which limited its reach. Opening up a free option made the platform more accessible, evidently fuelling a wave of new listeners. This was the turning point that kickstarted Spotify\u2019s growth in South Korea<\/a>, allowing it to challenge local DSPs for market share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Music Ally<\/a> notes, Marketing has also played a key role. Spotify has invested in events like its “Speakeasy Live” concerts, as well as pop-up campaigns with major K-Pop acts Enhypen, Stray Kids, and Aespa. These efforts have helped boost awareness and visibility of the platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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K-Pop is proving a hit with young American listeners<\/a><\/blockquote>