Where Are K-Pop Concerts Held? Analyzing Global Hosting Patterns and Influencing Factors

• In Event: 30421 - Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 4. Transformative Global Logics and their Platforms

Abstract

This study analyzes the global hosting patterns of K-pop concerts to empirically assess the sociocultural factors driving K-pop’s international expansion. It further argues that the spread of K-pop is not merely a form of cultural consumption but a process through which new cultural norms take root in the international sphere. To investigate these dynamics, the study utilizes Cox survival analysis and a Linear Mixed Model (LMM), incorporating global concert data from K-pop artists to examine both the occurrence and frequency of concerts. The findings indicate that freedom of expression and Google search trends play key roles in determining whether a concert takes place in a given country. In contrast, tourism factors and women’s social participation show significant correlations with concert frequency, highlighting how different factors influence concert occurrence and recurrence in distinct ways. By demonstrating how the expansion of K-pop and its supporting concert infrastructure interact with freedom of expression, cultural openness, international exchange, and gender inclusivity, this study provides empirical evidence of K-pop’s institutionalization within the global cultural system. These insights contribute to research on global cultural diffusion and the mechanisms underlying its societal integration.

Authors

• Seong-Gwon Cho, SungKyunKwan University

• Jeong-Woo Koo, Sungkyunkwan University