2025 K-pop Streaming Kings: BTS Dominate Global Charts
The year 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary for K-pop, with streaming numbers reaching unprecedented heights and proving once again that Korean music continues its unstoppable global conquest. According to Spotify Wrapped 2025, released in early December, the throne belongs to familiar faces who've consistently proven their dominance: BTS as the most-streamed K-pop group and Jungkook as the most-streamed K-pop soloist.
BTS: The Undisputed Group Champion
Despite members being in various stages of military service, BTS claimed the number one spot as the most-streamed K-pop group on Spotify in 2025, maintaining 23.7 million monthly listeners. This achievement is particularly remarkable considering the group hasn't released new music together this year. Their success stems from a combination of their extensive back catalog and the powerful solo projects from individual members.
The global phenomenon continues to prove that their influence transcends physical presence. ARMY, their dedicated fanbase, has kept the group's streaming numbers strong through consistent playlist activity and unwavering support for both group releases and solo endeavors from each member.
Following BTS in the top 10 are Stray Kids at #2, demonstrating the rising power of fourth-generation groups, while legacy acts like TWICE (#6) and BLACKPINK (#7) maintain their strong positions in the global streaming landscape.
The Rise of Female Soloists
2025 has been a landmark year for female solo artists. BLACKPINK's Jennie ranked #3 overall in the global K-pop artists list with 41.7 million monthly listeners, while Rosé claimed the #4 spot. This marks a significant shift in the K-pop landscape, with solo artists proving they can compete with—and sometimes surpassestablished groups.
Rosé's collaboration with Bruno Mars on "APT." became a viral phenomenon and topped the most-streamed K-pop tracks globally for 2025. The song's success demonstrates the power of cross-cultural collaborations and showcases how K-pop artists are increasingly breaking into mainstream Western pop culture.
Notable Trends in 2025
The Soloist Revolution
One of the most striking trends this year is the rise of solo acts. Spotify noted that among the top 30 most-streamed Korean tracks outside of South Korea in the first half of 2025, 19 were by solo artists, with 9 of the top 10 being solo tracks. This represents a fundamental shift from group-centered storytelling to more personal narratives and individual artistic identity.
The "KPop Demon Hunters" Phenomenon
An unexpected player in 2025's streaming charts is HUNTR/X, the fictional group from Netflix's hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." The virtual group ranked #5 in Spotify's global K-pop artists list, with tracks like "Golden" and "Your Idol" becoming massive hits.
The soundtrack earned five Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year, highlighting how K-pop's influence extends beyond traditional boundaries into multimedia entertainment.
Platform Variations
Interestingly, streaming dominance varies by platform. On YouTube Music Korea, DAY6 topped the male artist category with 564 million streams, while aespa led female artists with 537 million streams, showing that different platforms favor different artists based on their regional and demographic appeal.
Looking Ahead
As we approach 2026, the landscape promises even more competition. With BTS members gradually completing their military service and preparing for a full group reunion, the anticipation is palpable. Meanwhile, solo releases from established artists continue to gain momentum, and fourth-generation groups are pushing boundaries with innovative sounds and concepts.
The streaming numbers tell a clear story: K-pop's global influence isn't just holding steady, it's expanding. From billion-stream solo tracks to viral collaborations and even virtual idol groups, 2025 has proven that Korean music has firmly established itself as a dominant force in the global music industry.
Whether you're a longtime ARMY, a casual listener, or someone just discovering the genre, one thing is certain: K-pop's streaming supremacy shows no signs of slowing down. BTS may wear the crowns this year, but with so many talented artists rising through the ranks, the competition for 2026 is set to be fiercer than ever.