K-pop groups seeking to cash in on non-Chinese markets
SEOUL: Banned from China, K-pop stars are turning to nonChinese markets in Asia to diversify their revenue streams.
Over the weekend, many acts have staged well-attended concerts in East Asia, a positive sign that they are well-poised to survive the current boycott in China.
On Saturday, Kim Jae-joong, a member of JYJ, performed in Bangkok, his first gig in Thailand in three years.
Some 5,000 fans, including those who had travelled from Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, watched his performance.
Thai fans warmly welcomed him at the airport because he wore a black ribbon in tribute to the late Thai King Bhumibol. During the concert, he performed Butterfly for the first time during his Asian tour, as way of expressing his gratitude for Thai fans’ unwavering support. Fans responded by holding placards that said “Welcome Back KJJ” and “We will always be by your side.”
Kim has been touring Asia since his discharge from compulsory military service. His recent performance in Hong Kong drew thousands of fans, unleashing critical online comments from Chinese nationalists who reckon that enjoying Korean culture is an act of betrayal.
Kim is to perform in Macau on Saturday before moving on to Taipei on Apr 1.
On the same day, boy group EXO performed in Kuala Lumpur as part of “EXO PLANET # 3 The EXO’rDIUM,” the group’s third solo global tour since its debut in 2011. The group’s next stop is Singapore on Apr 2.
Southeast Asia is an increasingly important market for K-pop acts as tension simmers between Soul and Beijing over the deployment of US missiles.
There has been a rising consensus within the industry that it needs to take this opportunity to lessen its dependence on the Chinese market and expand into other Asian markets.
“For the past 15 years, K-pop has relied too much on Japan and then China.
“Experiencing this crisis, K-pop singers are adjusting their schedule to meet fans in other Asian countries,” said an executive of a big Korean music label on condition that his name is not published.