The K-Pop industry is known to be a revolving door of innovation, creativity, and impactful star presence. The Hallyu wave has effectively taken over the world with idol groups and soloists, along with riveting K-Dramas at the forefront. Just like previous years, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism conducted the Overseas Hallyu Survey to determine overseas fans' favorites in various categories.

The main purpose of this survey is to compile the data on the impact of the Hallyu wave. With a sample size of 25,000 people from over 26 countries, the 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey tries its best to show an accurate representation of what types of K-Content is being consumed in different countries.

In one part of the survey, respondents were asked "Who is currently your favorite Korean group/artists?". Let's find out their answers below!

 

Top 5 Favorite K-Pop Groups/Artists

1. BTS

With an impressive 29.1%, BTS takes the top spot among overseas fans' favorite K-Pop idol groups/artists. While the BTS members were active with solo schedules, they slowly made their way into the army, one by one, in order to carry out their mandatory military enlistment. Despite fulfilling their national duty, the iconic boy group's musical influence, positivity, and unique outlook have cemented them as a top idol group.

 

2. BLACKPINK

Following in second is world-renowned girl group BLACKPINK. They were selected by 13.1% of respondents as their favorite idol group. After the conclusion of their Born Pink World Tour, the iconic girl group decided to stay together with YG for group promotions, but would pursue their individual endeavors under a separate companies. Despite this, the very essence of BLACKPINK still resonated deeply with K-Pop fans across the globe for both their music and individuality.

 

3. Psy

When 'Gangnam Style' first dominated the world charts, it seemed like a fever dream. However, through its success, the Korean wave was able to make a resounding resurgence worldwide. This international success has remained with Psy since, praised for his contributions to Korean entertainment and culture. Psy had a somewhat quiet 2023 but was still able to fill concert venues and remained at the forefront of overseas fans' hearts, being selected by 2.9%.

 

4. BTS' JungKook

BTS as a whole were successful soloists in 2023, however, the one member who was selected by 2.7% of overseas fans as their favorite artist was none other than the golden maknae himself, BTS' JungKook. Coming out with the album "GOLDEN", comprised of hits like 'Seven', 'Standing Next To You', and '3D', JungKook's career was elevated to another level. He was able to showcase his individuality as an artist, becoming a beloved name among the K-Pop community and beyond.

 

5. IU

Rounding out the list at no. 5 is the lovely singer-actress, IU. The award-winning soloist was selected by 2.1% of overseas fans. In 2023, she earned immense love for her appearance in hilarious yet heartwarming sports movie, "Dream". Aside from this, IU is an artist that millions love worldwide, praised for her swoon-worthy musicality and incredible artistic prowess.

 

Top 5 Favorite K-Pop Groups Regional Breakdown

Although the above artists were the overall consensus among overseas fans, there were some outliers among the various regions. In Asia - Oceania TWICE and BLACKPINK's Lisa took no. 4 and no. 5. Stray Kids were included in the Top 5 of the Americas and Europe. Then BIGBANG's G-Dragon was present among the fans in the Middle East and Africa. However, one common factor among all regions was BTS' place at the top. Even in a year where they all slowly transitioned into military service, they remained the hottest K-Pop act that the world has ever seen.

However, speaking of consistency, BLACKPINK remained at a constant no. 2, while they were beaten out by BTS' loveable maknae, JungKook, among the overseas fans in Africa. These rankings have remained quite similar over the past several years.

As seen through the results of the Overseas Hallyu Survey over the years, BTS and BLACKPINK remain a force to be reckoned with. They worked tirelessly, standing on the biggest stages worldwide, communicating with fans through whatever means possible. They built up a long-standing legacy within the K-Pop community that surely won't crumble anytime soon. And despite all the criticism and hardships they might have faced along the way, the groups remained resolute in their commitment to their profession as idols, leveling up at various moments of their career. Both BTS and BLACKPINK have become frontrunners of the K-Pop industry, recognized by millions, if not trillions, around the globe.

 

The BTS & BLACKPINK Effect

It's hard to describe just how big of an influence BTS and BLACKPINK have had on the K-Pop community, resulting in both groups being no. 1 and no. 2 on overseas fans' top 5 list. With such longevity in their careers and the ability to connect to audiences beyond music, they've become a mainstay within the various micro-communities scattered across K-Pop. Currently, the two groups are taking a pause in their careers as a group, with BTS in the military and BLACKPINK focusing on their solo endeavors. However, both BTS and BLACKPINK continue to show up in netizens' mentions, extending their reach past the dedicated fandoms of ARMY and BLINK.

As a result of their continuing fame, despite being in a rest period of their group career, the sentiment towards the two are quite positive as fans patiently wait for their return.

And while it might be some time until we're able to see both BTS and BLACKPINK take the stage as a full group, this proves one thing: they show no signs of slowing down. The fact that people are still mentioning and searching about the two groups showcases their massive allure, bewitching the entire world to fall into their ocean of charms. This affection is well-earned, backed up by spectacular stages, heartwarming social media interactions, and being treated to additional content, so their absence is rarely felt. With this, it's quite likely that even future iterations of the Overseas Hallyu Survey will result in the idol groups being no. 1 and no. 2 once again.

 

Other Consistent Star-Studded Names

The prestige of BTS and BLACKPINK aside, along with Psy, there are even more names that deserve recognition for leading the Hallyu wave to even bigger heights. When talking about the globalization of K-Pop, one cannot forget about JYP Entertainment girl group TWICE. They've become a sturdy cornerstone within the industry, consistently selling out concert venues and becoming more than a national gem. Now, fans everywhere cheer their name at their various world tour stops and all across social media.

The interest over time towards TWICE has remained consistently high over the past 5 years, peaking around the times of their world tour, year end award show performances, and new releases. With such a strong fanbase and even interest from casual K-Pop fans, the girl group has an enormous stake in the K-Pop industry. Their presence is undeniable and will surely continue to persist, even with the changing of generations.

Then there's celebrated veteran, IU, who has managed to remain in the top 5 K-Pop acts for overseas fans for the past several years. Her sheer influence in the K-Pop scene cannot be understated, as she's also able to bridge the gap between music show stages and drama film sets.

Over the past 5 years, similarly to TWICE, netizen's interest over time towards the soloist have remained at a constantly high rate, showing huge jumps during song releases, news of her relationship status, and the moment she announced her world tour. Apart from BTS, BLACKPINK, and Psy, these two amazingly talented and renowned artists have remained at the top of the K-Pop scene, receiving love from international fans far and wide.

Newer groups from the fourth and fifth generation are currently showcasing a parade of talents, vying for the top spot in overseas fans' heart. Only time will tell if they'll have the ability to be included in the Overseas Hallyu Survey and be mentioned among the top 5 groups of overseas fans.

What do you think of the results of the Top 5 K-Pop Idols/Artists for the 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey?

Brace yourselves, K-Pop fans, as the upcoming month of May 2024 is set to be filled with even more exciting debuts and comebacks. Check out the April 2024 K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule.

In this post, you can see the artists’ debut, comeback, K-Drama OST, and special Music all in one place!

Which comeback and debut will have you waiting in anticipation?

Let's find out who's making a comeback this May and what songs they're coming back with at a glance!

You can check the list below!

 

May 2024 K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule

May.1

- YOUNITE

6th EP Album "ANOTHER"

 

May. 2

- HyunA

EP Album "Attitude"

- KINO

1st EP Album "If this is love, I want a refund"

- FANTASY BOYS

Single Album 'MAKE SUNSHINE'

May. 7

- D.O. (EXO)

3rd Mini Album "성장"

May. 8

- Kep1er

Japan 1st Full Album "Kep1going"

- &TEAM

1st Single 'Samidare'

- BAEKHO & BIGONE

Single 'LOVE OR DIE'

 

May. 9

- SungJae (BTOB)

May. 10

- Stray Kids

Digital Single 'Lose My Breath (Feat. Charlie Puth)

 

May. 24

- ZEROBASEONE

3rd Mini Album "You had me at HELLO" - Pre-release Song 'SWEAT'

 

To Be Announced

BTOB's Lee ChangSub

EL7Z UP

aespa

BANHANA

ZEROBASEONE

Jennie (BLACKPINK)

ASSEMBLE24 (tripleS)

Seo SooJin (Former (G)I-DLE's member)

G-Dragon (August)

 

Did you finish checking the May 2024 K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule? If you are curious about Kpopmap's April 2024 comeback & debut schedule, you can check it out at the link below!

It doesn't take a trend analyst to figure out that the hot new thing in K-Beauty land is actually a throwback to Y2K, and it's taking over the world. We're talking about Lee HyoRi and the 2000s makeup trend, inspired by the original It Girl of Korea, that is now making rounds as the latest bandwagon everyone wants to hop on.

Y2K has been at the core of virality for quite a while now, influencing not only fashion and makeup but also art, music, television, and culture, as a whole. However, a lot of this Y2K-inspired buzz has been an "upgrade" on actual Y2K styles, an homage, if you will. However, not much of the authenticity of Y2K was revived.

Readers who were around during the actual Y2K would agree that while Y2K fashion now is the epitome of trendiness and more in vogue than ever, real Y2K fashion and makeup weren't quite the same.

That is until we decided to bring back Lee HyoRi's iconic look from her music video for '10 Minutes'.

For those who might not know, Lee HyoRi is one of the most prestigious, beloved, and respected artists to ever come out of the K-Pop industry. From debuting in one of the hottest girl groups of her time, Fin.K.L, to going solo and bring crowned as the icon of sensuality, Lee HyoRi is essentially the OG "it girl" of Korea, influencing an entire generation then and now.

The year 2003, when HyoRi released her debut solo studio album "Stylish...E" was dubbed "The Year Of HyoRi", and "HyoRi Syndrome" spread all over South Korea. '10 Minutes' was one of the tracks on this album, and almost two decades later, it is going mega-viral worldwide.

How and why did this happen? Let's find out!

 

Lee HyoRi's Sustained Popularity Rises Globally With "Lee Hyori's Red Carpet"

Lee HyoRi is one of those artists whose popularity has remained unbeatable regardless of promotional activities across decades. Her most recent activities include the healing TV show "HyoRi's Homestay" and, musically, the project groups SSAK3 and Refund Sisters. Her influence remained just as impactful in this time as it was when she first shook the Korean entertainment scene but she was recognized as a legend and a veteran in the industry rather than going viral with sudden spouts of immense popularity.

However, when Lee HyoRi came in as the host of "The Seasons" - Korea's beloved late-night music talk show, creating "The Seasons: Lee Hyori's Red Carpet", her interactions with her guests started enjoying the aforementioned taste of virality and what's better than a viral moment on social media to introduce something/someone to a whole new audience?

In particular, the episode starring guest BLACKPINK's Jennie, the 3rd generation "it girl" of Korea, alongside host Lee HyoRi, the 1st generation "it girl", sparked renewed interest in the show, propelling it to global popularity and drawing attention from a whole new generation of fans. Thus, netizens who may not have known this queen before, came face to face with the icon herself.

According to Google Trends, global interest in Lee HyoRi in the past 12 months, reached a peak between January 7 to 13, 2024. The episode with Jennie was released on January 5, 2024. The most-searched terms during this time were "10 Minutes - Song by Lee HyoRi", "The Seasons: Lee Hyo-ri's Red Carpet", "The Seasons", "Lee HyoRi Red Carpet", "Lee HyoRi The Seasons", "The Seasons", "Miss Korea - Song by Lee HyoRi", and "Lee HyoRi makeup".

"Miss Korea" is one of the most remarkable Lee HyoRi songs, covered by BLACKPINK's Jennie on "The Seasons: Lee HyoRi's Red Carpet". This cover, released by KOCOWA TV, is now at 2M views on YouTube, proving its popularity.

Lee HyoRi's popularity kept rising steadily, with the graph showing an upward curve, which next peaked on April 10, 2024 - quite literally, yesterday! This means that the trend is still going, constantly gaining new impetus.

This peak, however, is because the "Lee HyoRi" makeup trend is currently at its highest virality, reaching more people than ever before. However, there was something else that aided this phenomenon - TWICE.

 

TWICE Cover Lee HyoRi's '10 Minutes'

On October 21, 2023, TWICE's NaYeon, JiHyo, and Momo covered Lee HyoRi's '10 Minutes' at their fan meeting. A fancam of this cover by user "나연이랑" was uploaded to YouTube the day after and now stands at 1 million views. Of course, the internet went crazy over how impeccable, alluring, and flawless this cover was, with NaYeon, JiHyo, and Momo setting the stage on fire. However, it was an edit of NaYeon from this performance that started the viral trend.

Despite the performance happening last year, it was only in March 2024 that it started picking up hotter momentum, not just among ONCE or K-Pop fans but among the general public all over the world.

According to Google Trends, it was on April 9 that google searches for TWICE's cover of '10 Minutes' peaked, right around the time when Lee HyoRi was trending globally.

The audio for Lee HyoRi's '10 Minutes' on TikTok exploded in popularity, with 100.4K posts as of April 9, 2024. The original video with this sound was the NaYeon edit, which went viral. At the same time, '10 Minutes' started trending on Instagram, with 18.2K reels at the time of writing. Now, this trend is slowly permeating YouTube as well.

 

Lee HyoRi's 2000s Makeup Trend

Beauty influencers did what beauty influencers do and gave us one of the best makeup trends inspired by the viral '10 Minutes'. As more and more people watched the original music video and stage performance of '10 Minutes', a makeup trend was born. Lee HyoRi was one of the first artists to bring this makeup style to K-Pop back in 2003, where it was then adopted by top artists like S.E.S members Bada and Eugene. It is no surprise, therefore, that 21 years later, it still has the same trailblazing impact as it did then. Falling perfectly in line with the current craze for Y2K, this trend found the perfect environment to grow and go viral.

Unsurprisingly, global interest in "Lee HyoRi makeup" over the past 30 days also peaked around April 9. On social media platforms like X, mentions about Lee HyoRi and Lee HyoRi's makeup increased a whopping 157.143%!

We pulled and analyzed thousands of posts from all over the internet and ran a sentiment analysis, which revealed an overwhelmingly positive opinion on Lee HyoRi in the last 14 days, while her reach peaked on April 10. In conclusion, Lee HyoRi and, in turn, the Lee HyoRi 2000s makeup trend is at its highest point at this very moment.

If you're wondering what exactly the 2000s makeup trend is all about, let us break it down for you.

The "Lee HyoRi 2000s makeup trend" is a cool-toned look with blue/grey eyeshadow, a matte base, lightly smoked-out eyeliner, and nude lips with gloss. Because of its subtlety, this makeup look looks fantastic on all skin tones, regardless of your undertone.

Check out some video tutorials below to do this "Lee HyoRi 2000s makeup" look yourself!

 

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What did you think of the Lee HyoRi 2000s makeup trend? Have you tried it yourself? Tell us on X!

For more K-Trend analyses, stay tuned to Kpopmap!