Tag: K-pop

K-Pop Artist ENHYPEN Host ‘The Blood Diary,’ a New Video Podcast Series From HYBE

April 5, 2026

Like the immortal lives of vampires, some stories never really end. That’s the vibe K-Pop boyband ENHYPEN brings to The Blood Diary, a new video podcast series that explores mysterious events from around the globe, where members of the group take turns blurring the line between fact and fiction.

Throughout each episode, members of ENHYPEN take turns recounting stories while attempting to uncover the hidden “liar.” Fans (aka ENGENE) are encouraged to follow along, piecing together clues and deciding for themselves which story isn’t what it seems.

Created by HYBE MEDIA STUDIO and brought to fans in partnership with Spotify, The Blood Diary is the first from STAN:A, a new video podcast show that brings fans closer to artists they love through candid conversations and original storytelling. 

The first episode of The Blood Diary is out now on Spotify, and new episodes will drop biweekly every Friday at 8PM KST. 

 

To step further inside the mystery, For the Record spoke with the first hosts of The Blood Diary—ENHYPEN’s JUNGWON, JAY, JAKE, and SUNOO—about what it was like to work on the series, the stories they chose to tell, and what fans can expect as the series pulls them into its thrall.

The Blood Diary features you all as immortal vampires sharing mysterious records on the night of a full moon. What was it like stepping into these roles? 

JUNGWON: It was cool and fun how each member came ready with a story and shared it. When I was telling my story, I got so immersed that it became a little scary. I hope this vibe comes across well to ENGENE and that they really enjoy it. 

JAY: It was a new concept that we had never tried before, but I found myself completely immersed in the story, maybe thanks to the atmosphere on set. Telling a story as a vampire was already fun, but the best part was watching the members suspect each other and trying to find the Blood Liar. 

JAKE: I was so happy that we were able to show a new side of ourselves to ENGENE. This vampire concept is something only ENHYPEN can pull off, don’t you think? Combining a concept that only we can handle with storytelling is really going to make for an even more fun video podcast. 

SUNOO: Telling stories as a vampire was fun, but it was even more exciting to watch and listen to the other members share theirs. I actually think I got more nervous listening to the other members’ stories than when I was telling my own. I found myself completely absorbed the whole time.

The tagline of the show is “The Mystery Records of Immortal Vampires.” Without giving too much away, what kind of “bizarre events” can fans expect to hear about in your diaries?

JAY: Stories from the past that feel even more fantastical than fantasy, and strange incidents hidden behind everyday life. We’ll be sharing scary stories that are even harder to believe because they actually happened in real life.

A highlight of each episode is the “Blood Liar” game, where one member weaves fiction into their story to deceive the others. Before you went into production, did you already have suspicions on who the best “Blood Liar” would be? 

JUNGWON: JAY is pretty good at lying. So if he’s the “Blood Liar,” I think he’ll be very good at deceiving the rest of the members.

JAY: When it comes to “liar,” you’ve got to think of JAKE! He once made plans to meet me, but then totally flaked. That’s when I realized that he really is a liar. 

JAKE: We’d never done a concept that involved deceiving each other before, so it was hard to predict. But somehow… I thought that JAY might be the best “Blood Liar.”

SUNOO: Before the shoot, I was trying to guess who it might be… and I had a feeling it would probably be JAY! 

Every day on Spotify, we see how audio has the power to move and resonate with people in a deeply personal way. How did the specific sound design and atmosphere of The Blood Diary help you get into character and bring these mysteries to life?

SUNOO: Watching the final edit of the video podcast with all the sound effects, I was completely drawn in by how realistic it felt. Thanks to the sound design, I think ENGENE will experience thrills and feel curious in ways they normally wouldn’t while watching the podcast. I highly recommend that everyone fully dive into The Blood Diary.

What are your biggest hopes for The Blood Diary? 

JUNGWON: Until now, we’ve mostly appeared on lighthearted, fun variety shows, but with The Blood Diary, we’re looking forward to showing a heavier, more serious side of ENHYPEN that fans haven’t seen before.

Anything else to add about the making of the podcast or reflections you have now that the first episode is out?

JAKE: I filmed a lot with JAY, and I got a huge kick out of seeing him get scared while listening to the stories. It was also really fun preparing a new story for each episode and sharing it directly with the members. I’m also really looking forward to all the different stories the other members will bring in future episodes. I hope ENGENE enjoys it as much as we did.

JAY: Spotify is an essential part of my daily life, so I’m thrilled to be a host for this video podcast! The Blood Diary covers a variety of real-life incidents, so I think viewers will get to experience a more authentic thrill. It’s definitely worth looking forward to.

JUNGWON: I use Spotify all the time, so I’m really happy to be a host for a Spotify video podcast. I hope ENGENE will see many different sides of us through The Blood Diary. Please look forward to it. 

SUNOO: When I was filming the episode where I was the “Blood Liar,” I had to deceive the other members, constantly insisting, “It’s true! I’m not lying!” which was really tough. But as I watched the others gradually fall for my story, I started to enjoy it. I’m not sure when the episode where I play the “Blood Liar” will be released, but I hope you all look forward to it! 

Check out the first episode of The Blood Diary on Spotify now.

BTS and Spotify Bring ‘ARIRANG’ to Top Fans in New York City

March 25, 2026

BTS is so back. This week, the global pop superstars took the stage at New York City’s Pier 17 for their first U.S. performance in four years.

Part of Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE, a global series of immersive live events, the night was a celebration of the band’s latest album, ARIRANG. The setlist featured new tracks including “2.0,” “SWIM,” and “NORMAL.” And even though the album has been out for less than a week, the crowd—made up of more than 1,000 of BTS’ top local fans on Spotify—was already singing along.

After the show, the group sat down with Suki Waterhouse for a Q&A, sharing exclusive insights into the making of the album and their return to music.

Check out photos from the night below.

Spotify’s BTS Music Quiz Celebrates ‘ARIRANG’ and Puts ARMY Knowledge to the Test

March 20, 2026

BTS’ long-awaited fifth studio album, ARIRANG, is finally here. To celebrate the comeback of the decade, Spotify has partnered with the pop royalty to bring ARMY the BTS Music Quiz.

Starting today, Premium users globally can put their BTS knowledge to the test. Inspired by the journey reflected in ARIRANG, the BTS Music Quiz invites ARMY to revisit some of the defining moments that have shaped BTS’ artistic legacy through a series of questions. 

Here’s how it works:

    1. Update your Spotify app: Make sure you’re on the latest version and logged into your Premium account.
    2. Find the BTS Music Quiz: Play any BTS track, then scroll down in the Now Playing view to find the Music Quiz banner. Tap “Play quiz” to start.
    3. Take the quiz: Answer questions about BTS music, milestones, and defining moments.
    4. Share your score: After you’ve completed the quiz, tap “Share” to post your score on social media.
    5. Challenge a friend: Tap “Challenge a friend” to invite your ARMY besties to take the BTS Music Quiz. Once they’ve completed it, you’ll both get a scorecard with your results via Your Updates on Spotify, which you can also share on social media.

The BTS Music Quiz is available for Premium listeners globally in English, Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Stream ARIRANG on Spotify now.

Spotify and Stray Kids Celebrate KARMA With an Immersive Spotify STAYdium Experience

August 22, 2025

The wait is over: Stray Kids return with their fourth full-length album, KARMA. And with Spotify STAYdium, fans aren’t just listening, they’re living every moment of it.

Now open in Seoul and Jakarta through August 25, and then heading to Tokyo August 23 through August 27, Spotify STAYdium is a journey into Stray Kids’ latest era. It’s also a tribute to STAY, whose dedication has fueled Stray Kids’ story of grit, growth, and global impact.

“Our fans are the reason for our destiny. We’re also so thankful for Spotify, who has supported us since our rookie year,” said the group. “Partnering with Spotify to bring Spotify STAYdium to life feels like we’ve come full circle. This space celebrates all that we’ve built together with STAY, and we hope they feel our love in every moment.”

Cómo México se convirtió en uno de los mayores hubs de K-Pop en Spotify

August 13, 2025

Con una mezcla vibrante de pop, hip-hop, R&B, electrónica y rock, el K-Pop en México no es solo un género: es una forma de vida. Con más de 14 millones de fans del K-Pop en Spotify, México se posiciona como el quinto mercado más grande del mundo para este fenómeno, y el único país de habla hispana dentro del top 10 global. Desde picos de reproducciones hasta enormes comunidades de fans, la pasión por el K-Pop en México se vive con fuerza.

Para celebrar el Día Mundial del K-Pop, destacamos las tendencias de escucha y el poder del fandom que han hecho de Spotify un epicentro para la escucha de K-Pop en México. Descubre los datos clave en nuestra infografía.

Un fandom como ningún otro

La ola coreana es un movimiento que lleva años tomando fuerza. Llegó a México en los 2000, cuando los dramas coreanos y sus bandas sonoras despertaron curiosidad. Pero fue en la década de 2010, con la llegada de grupos como BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Stray Kids, y Red Velvet, cuando el K-Pop realmente explotó. Desde entonces, los streams de K-Pop en Spotify México se han disparado, creciendo más de un 500% solo en los últimos cinco años.

¿Qué hace diferente al fandom mexicano? No es solo la cantidad de horas que pasan escuchando—sobre todo la Gen Z—sino la forma en que viven y respiran el K-Pop. En México, los fans no solo escuchan: se organizan, crean y celebran. Llenan conciertos, hacen eventos temáticos y bazares, y construyen comunidades vibrantes. En redes sociales, son una fuerza imparable: marcan tendencias, apoyan a sus idols y difunden la cultura del K-Pop por todos lados. Incluso integran el sabor local, incorporando elementos de la cultura mexicana en fan art, memes y todo tipo de expresiones creativas.

Por qué el K-Pop conecta en México

La narrativa emocional y los visuales deslumbrantes del K-Pop han tocado una fibra muy especial en los oyentes mexicanos. Las canciones abordan temas universales como el amor, la amistad y el superar obstáculos, creando un sentido de comunidad y pertenencia entre los fans. Para muchos, el idioma no es una barrera: la música y los artistas se sienten cercanos y auténticos.

“Los artistas de K-Pop conectan con sus fans al mostrarse reales y hablar abiertamente de sus emociones, algo que resuena profundamente con los jóvenes en México”, dijo Alejandro Grageda, Head of Music de Spotify México. “También promueven una visión optimista del mundo—algo que inspira a los fans a soñar, creer en un futuro mejor y construir comunidades fuertes y solidarias.”

En Spotify nos enorgullece haber sido parte del crecimiento del K-Pop en México, ofreciendo un espacio para descubrir nueva música y celebrar a sus idols favoritos. Seguiremos apoyando a la comunidad, a los artistas y a los momentos que hacen tan especial a este género.

Dale play a la playlist insignia de Spotify K-Pop ON! (온) para escuchar los últimos hits. Y mantente al pendiente de una serie de videos especial que celebra la pasión y creatividad de los fans mexicanos del K-Pop, muy pronto en @spotifymexico.

How Mexico Became One of the World’s Biggest K-Pop Hubs on Spotify

August 13, 2025

A vibrant blend of pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and rock, K-Pop is more than just a genre in Mexico—it’s a way of life. With more than 14 million K-Pop fans on Spotify, Mexico stands as the genre’s fifth-largest market worldwide and the only Spanish-speaking country in the global top 10. From streaming surges to massive fan communities, Mexico’s passion for K-Pop runs deep.

To celebrate World K-Pop Day, we’re spotlighting the streaming trends and fandom power that make Spotify an epicenter for K-Pop discovery in Mexico. Explore the highlights in our infographic below.

A fandom like no other

The Korean wave is a movement that’s been building for years. It first hit Mexico in the 2000s, when Korean television dramas and their soundtracks sparked curiosity. But it was the arrival of groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Stray Kids, and Red Velvet in the 2010s that truly ignited a K-Pop explosion. Since then, K-Pop streams on Spotify in Mexico have skyrocketed, growing by more than 500% in the last five years alone.

What sets Mexican fans apart? It’s not just the hours spent streaming—especially among Gen Z—but the way they live and breathe K-Pop. Devotees in Mexico organize, create, and celebrate. They fill concert venues, host themed events and bazaars, and build thriving communities. On social media, they’re a force—starting trends, supporting their idols, and spreading K-Pop culture far and wide. And they put their own spin on the movement, weaving Mexican culture into fan art, memes, and other creative content.

Why K-Pop resonates in Mexico

K-Pop’s emotional storytelling and dazzling visuals have struck a powerful chord with Mexican listeners. The songs explore universal themes like love, friendship, and overcoming obstacles, helping foster a sense of community and belonging among fans. For many, language isn’t a barrier—the music and artists still feel personal and relatable.

“K-Pop artists connect with fans by being real and speaking openly about their feelings, which really resonates with young listeners in Mexico,” said Alejandro Grageda, Head of Music, Spotify 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.”

Spotify is proud to have played a part in K-Pop’s rise in Mexico, offering listeners a place to discover new music and celebrate their favorite idols. We’ll keep supporting the community, the artists, and the moments that make this genre so special.

Press play on Spotify’s flagship K-Pop ON! (온) playlist to hear the latest hits. And check out a special video series celebrating the passion and creativity of Mexican K-Pop fans on @spotifyLATAM.

Spotify and FC Barcelona Bring K-Pop to the Game with ITZY in Korea

August 5, 2025

Since we announced our global partnership with FC Barcelona in 2022, we’ve been finding new ways to unite the worlds of music and football—amplifying artists, connecting fans, and making the matchday experience even more memorable.

This summer, we brought that vision to life in South Korea for the very first time. As part of FC Barcelona’s 2025 Asia Tour, we teamed up with K-Pop sensation ITZY for a localized campaign that put Korean creativity front and center.

With friendly matches in Seoul and Daegu as the backdrop, our first Korea activation under the Spotify x FC Barcelona partnership gave us the perfect opportunity to celebrate the passion of Korean fans through music and sport.

“Bringing Spotify’s partnership with FC Barcelona to Korea is a powerful moment,” said Marc Hazan, Vice President, Partnerships and Marketing, Spotify. “We’re proud to feature ITZY as a part of this collaboration, which celebrates Korean creativity on a global stage and reflects our mission to connect artists and fans in unforgettable ways.”

“South Korea has long been home to some of the most passionate football and music fans in the world,” said Marc Bruix, Director of Partnerships, FC Barcelona. “Through this special partnership with Spotify, we’re excited to bring our global vision to life in a way that connects with local culture. Partnering with ITZY, a group that represents the vibrancy and global appeal of Korean music, perfectly reflects our shared ambition to reach new audiences and create unforgettable moments.”

“We had such a great time being part of this campaign,” said the members of ITZY. “It was a fun opportunity to show how music and football can come together to create something truly exciting for fans everywhere.”

ITZY-curated playlists

We invited ITZY to take over Barça on Tour: Korea 2025, curating 30 tracks—including 10 of their own and 20 warm-up picks—to get fans hyped for kickoff. The playlist is available globally on Spotify, with ITZY on the cover sporting official FC Barcelona jerseys.

To keep the momentum going, they’re also taking over WOR K OUT—Korea’s No. 1 workout playlist on Spotify, with more than 1.3M followers—starting August 9. It’s packed with their favorite tracks to keep post-game energy high.

Matchday moments

To amplify the spirit of the occasion, Spotify and FC Barcelona produced exclusive content featuring a special meet-and-greet between ITZY and Barça players at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The interactive footage was shared across socials, bringing fans even closer to this unique moment.

Pitch-side presence

During the Seoul match, fans saw Spotify branding across LED boards, goal-line signage, and press backdrops, and they’ll be seeing more of it in Daegu. We also took over one of Seoul’s most iconic digital displays, Gangnam Media Sync, to share the campaign with the city.

From jersey takeovers with global superstars like Travis Scott, Coldplay, KAROL G, The Rolling Stones, ROSALÍA, and Drake to localized cultural campaigns like this one with ITZY, our partnership with FC Barcelona continues to turn football into a creative canvas that celebrates artists and the fans who love them.

Want more from Spotify x FC Barcelona? Follow FC Barcelona’s official profile on Spotify or visit our dedicated For The Record hub to stay in tune. Getting ready for the next match? Hit play on the Barça on Tour: Korea 2025 playlist curated by ITZY, or check out their official artist profile.

ENHYPEN and Spotify Unleash ‘DESIRE’ With Immersive Pop-up Experiences in Seoul, Tokyo, Jakarta, and LA

June 11, 2025

This summer, Spotify and ENHYPEN invited fans to step inside the world of DESIRE : UNLEASH with MAISON ENHYPEN—a multisensory pop-up experience celebrating the K-Pop group’s sixth mini album. In Seoul, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Los Angeles, ENGENEs immersed themselves in the album’s core themes: passion, romance, and transformation.

Inside MAISON ENHYPEN, fans explored thoughtfully designed interactive zones inspired by tracks from DESIRE : UNLEASH, offering them the chance to experience the energy and emotion of the music firsthand.

The pop-up also featured displays of ENHYPEN’s festival performance outfits and props, hidden Easter eggs revealing glimpses of each member’s personal Spotify playlists, and exclusive merchandise—including postcards with handwritten messages from the members.

Members JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, and NI-KI stopped by the Seoul pop-up to experience MAISON ENHYPEN for themselves and host a special press conference. During the event, the group shared insights into their new mini album and how they’re bringing fans into their creative world through the MAISON ENHYPEN experience.

“Our lead single ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You)’ expresses an overpowering desire to turn you into a vampire,” explained SUNOO. “It’s a pop song with a sleek, chic mood. One of the key lines is, ‘A heaven without you must be like hell, but hell where I embrace you must be like heaven.’ Beyond the paradoxical lyrics, the song also reflects our own emotions, our desire to stay connected with ENGENEs.”

Added member HEESEUNG: “We’ve been collaborating with Spotify on a variety of projects. So it’s such an honor and joy to be working with Spotify again for MAISON ENHYPEN in celebration of the release of DESIRE : UNLEASH. I hope many ENGENES enjoy the event!”

82 Artists, 10 Countries, Limitless Sounds: Meet the RADAR Asia Class of 2025

April 24, 2025

The sounds of Asia are as diverse and vibrant as the continent itself. From the lively beats of Indonesian pop to the gritty rhymes of Pinoy hip-hop, the region is brimming with musical innovation.

Since 2020, Spotify has helped artists across Asia chart their paths to stardom through RADAR, our global program to support emerging talent. Now we’re thrilled to introduce the RADAR Asia class of 2025. Featuring 82 artists, the class represents Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

These artists span a range of styles and genres, reflecting the continent’s rich musical landscape. Representing RADAR Indonesia, acts like The Lantis evoke the nostalgia of ’80s Indonesian pop, while Aftershine brings the beautiful sound of Javanese pop to the forefront.

“RADAR is motivation. It fuels our passion, pushes us to dream bigger, and reminds us that every song we create has the potential to reach someone, somewhere,” said indie pop band The Lantis. “It’s a reminder that our music matters, that our stories resonate, and that there are listeners out there waiting to connect with what we create.”

With T-pop on the rise, RADAR Thailand welcomes groups like LYKN and FLIRT, as well as alt-rock duo SHERRY.

“We’re truly honored to be part of this year’s RADAR Thailand lineup,” said SHERRY. “Spotify is all about its users and creatives. It allows us to highlight our hard work and craft to a bigger audience in Thailand and beyond. We can’t wait to show our fans what we have in store for them in 2025.”

To the east, RADAR Philippines welcomes Pinoy female rapper Zae and Baguio-raised indie band Dilaw, among others, while pop and hip-hop acts such as Ánh Sáng AZA and CoolKid join RADAR Vietnam.

RADAR 新勢力, which is dedicated to the wider Mandopop space, welcomes newcomers like 艾蜜莉AMILI and Eileen Yo游宇潼. And in Japan, where RADAR is locally known as Early Noise, the 2025 class includes AKASAKI and Billyrrom. Finally, from the home of K-Pop, rookie group MEOVV is RADAR Korea’s first featured artist of the year.

“Music and culture are always evolving, and at Spotify, we’re here to celebrate that,” said Kossy Ng, Spotify Head of Music, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Taiwan. “With RADAR, we’re excited to shine a light on the breadth of incredible rising talents in Asia that span different genres and sounds. There’s so much to discover and something for everyone. We’re committed to supporting artists for the long haul, helping music from Asia reach fans all over the world.”

As part of the program, RADAR artists receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist and special editorial placement. This support is clearly making waves in Asia and beyond. Globally, five of Spotify’s top 10 RADAR artists last year came from the Philippines. In Korea, meanwhile, last year’s RADAR artists saw a 34% boost in their average daily streams in the six months following their entry into the program. Bernadya is another success story: The 2023 RADAR Indonesia artist experienced a stunning 91% surge in monthly listeners a year after joining the program and became Spotify Indonesia’s top artist of 2024. This momentum continues across the region, with our RADAR Vietnam playlist boasting more than 70% international streams.

Ready to meet the full lineup? Discover the RADAR Asia class of 2025 below.

RADAR Indonesia

Adikara
Aftershine
Deborah Hanna
Difki Khalif
Elsa Japasal
Rafi Sudirman
Rony Parulian
The Lantis
Tissa Biani
White Chorus

Stream our RADAR Indonesia playlist.

RADAR Thailand

ALIE BLACKCOBRA
Daou Pittaya
FLIRT
GALCHANIE
guncharlie
Hunsick
Kakagoesbackhome
LITTLE JOHN
LYKN
Pearprapa
PONCHET
SHERRY

Stream our RADAR Thailand playlist.

RADAR Philippines

ALLMO$T
BGYO
Costa Cashman
Dilaw
ena mori
JERGE
Justin Vasquez
ONE CLICK STRAIGHT
Young Blood Neet
Zae

Stream our RADAR Philippines playlist.

RADAR Singapore and Malaysia

Danial Kifli
Dominic Chin
empty page.
Fahimi
Firdaus Rahmat
ICEBOX
karan
Kidd Santhe
lovlaine
Nadeera
NAKI
RENE
Yokez

Stream our RADAR Singapore and Malaysia playlist.

RADAR Korea

MEOVV

Stream our RADAR Korea playlist and stay tuned as more participating artists are unveiled throughout the year.

RADAR Japan

7co
AKASAKI
Billyrrom
Brandy Senki
Lavt
noa
PAS TASTA
reina
Retro Riron (レトロリロン)
ziproom

Stream our RADAR Japan (aka RADAR: Early Noise) playlist.

RADAR Vietnam

Ánh Sáng AZA
CoolKid
GUrbane
VƯƠNG BÌNH

Stream our RADAR Vietnam playlist.

RADAR Hong Kong

Arvin曾傲棐
Billy Choi
Gordon Flanders
Michael C
Nancy Kwai
risy
Rover
SOPHY
Tr33 
Uchu Yurei

Stream our RADAR Hong Kong playlist.

Radar 新勢力

阿蘭 AC
艾蜜莉AMILI
Andr
齊翔XIANG
Eileen Yo游宇潼
JUD 陳泳希
公館青少年GGteens
Haezee
Mandark
Marz23
PPlin 林芃逸
王ADEN

Stream our Radar 新勢力 playlist.

JENNIE and Spotify Celebrate the K-Pop Star’s Debut Solo Album With a Special ‘Rubify’ Listening Party

March 6, 2025

K-Pop star JENNIE has cemented herself as a powerhouse solo artist with more than 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify. And on February 27, JENNIE and Spotify welcomed 200 of her dedicated fans into Rubify, a celebration of her debut solo album, Ruby. Held in Seoul ahead of the album’s release, the event brought fans up close and personal with JENNIE as they got an immersive look into her artistic vision.

“This album means everything to me—it’s my story, told through my voice and my vision,” JENNIE said. “Shakespeare’s concept of the seven stages of life really resonated with me, so I wanted to explore those emotions—from innocence and love to power, reflection, and legacy. It felt like the perfect way to introduce myself as a solo artist and show every side of who I am. I was inspired by the play aspect, with the curtains revealing my next step in my career.”

Check Out SEVENTEEN and Spotify’s CARAT Station Pop-ups in Seoul and New York City

October 28, 2024

Since bursting onto the K-Pop scene in 2015, SEVENTEEN has transcended to global superstardom. Today, more than 30 million user-generated playlists on Spotify feature at least one track from the group. To amp up the excitement for their [RIGHT HERE] world tour, which kicked off in South Korea earlier this month, Spotify has teamed up with SEVENTEEN to bring fans the ultimate pre-concert experience.

From playlist curation to outfit planning, we know the lead-up to a concert is when fan anticipation is at its highest. In honor of SEVENTEEN’s fandom, known as CARATs, Spotify is building exclusive pop-ups ahead of live shows in Seoul, New York City, and Tokyo, where visitors can explore a fantastical train station dedicated to the K-Pop superstars.

“At Spotify, we are committed to supporting Korean artists and enhancing their connections with listeners,” said Jungjoo Park, Head of Music at Spotify Korea. “Our collaboration with SEVENTEEN to bring fans CARAT Station exemplifies our dedication through the creation of unique experiences that celebrate their artistry and special bonds with CARATs.”

Our first stop was Seoul in early October. This past weekend, we brought CARAT Station to New York City. Fans in Tokyo, stay tuned—CARAT Station is heading your way next!

“Spotify’s Music teams in Korea, the U.S., and Japan worked in lockstep to create unique events in each city that feel both authentic to that particular place and connected to the larger CARAT fandom. That’s why you’ll see common threads throughout each experience, but unique elements as well,” said Lucy Davidson, Lead Label Partnerships at Spotify. “When we build an experience in partnership with an artist, we aim not only to bring fans further into their creative world but also to offer something one-of-a-kind that only Spotify can.”

Relive our CARAT Station experiences and see photos from each city below.

CARAT Station Seoul

From October 5 through 11, CARATs in Seoul were invited to step inside the whimsical world of SEVENTEEN. Visitors brought amazing energy as they explored the metro station-themed pop-up in the city’s Gwangjin District, including special photo ops, exclusive merch, and surprise fan chant sessions.

“The subway-themed space displaying our fan chant guide videos left the biggest impression on us,” said SEVENTEEN. “The entire CARAT Station was beautifully decorated and filled with various fun elements that we believe made the time here truly enjoyable. We’re excited for even more visitors to experience this treat. Please have lots of fun and enjoy CARAT Station!”

Celebrate 8 Years With BLACKPINK on Spotify

August 1, 2024

It’s been eight years since BLACKPINK captivated the K-Pop scene and transcended to global superstardom. Since then, they’ve racked up billions of streams on Spotify and built a loyal following of BLINKs—the moniker for their fandom.

#8YearswithBLACKPINK

Spotify is commemorating the quartet’s milestone anniversary with a series of surprises on the This Is BLACKPINK playlist under the banner #8YearswithBLACKPINK. From August 1 through August 8, which marks the period of the group’s inception, the playlist will pay daily homage to a different BLACKPINK era.

As listeners experience iconic milestones of members JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ, and LISA, some users in Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, the U.S., Thailand, Brazil, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, Poland, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, India, and Turkey will be rewarded with special digital social cards that will be revealed daily based on their streaming habits.

“It’s been thrilling to witness the growth of BLACKPINK throughout the years,” said Jungjoo Park, Head of Music Korea, Spotify. “Our #8YearswithBLACKPINK campaign bolsters our commitment to supporting Korean artists in reaching and deepening their connections with listeners worldwide, and we hope fans enjoy the special surprises we have in store for them.” 

A record-breaking rise

The proof is in the numbers when looking at BLACKPINK’s rise to stardom. Their Spotify streams tracked an average year-on-year growth of more than 110%, and the group now has more than 13 billion streams on our platform. BLACKPINK tracks have been added to more than 71 million user-generated playlists, and their top five most-streamed songs—“How You Like That,” “Kill This Love,” “Pink Venom,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” and “Shut Down”—have collectively garnered more than 4 billion streams. 

We mentioned that their music has made waves well beyond Seoul, the city where they got their start. On Spotify, BLACKPINK’s top listening markets include the U.S., Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Brazil.  

Celebrate the group and let Spotify take you on a journey through each of its eras with the This Is BLACKPINK playlist.