Why J-pop acts see South Korea as a stepping stone to global success
Recently the area in front of Inspire Arena on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, South Korea, was packed with fans in their twenties eagerly waiting for the first Korean concert of Japanese superstar Kenshi Yonezu.
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The 22,000 tickets for the two-day event sold out immediately when they opened in October, a clear indication of J-pop's growing presence in Korea's music market.
Yonezu, who began as a Vocaloid producer in 2009 and officially debuted in 2012, is known for his artistic versatility – writing, composing, arranging, mixing, performing and even creating visuals for his work.
His Korean fan base has grown steadily, drawn to his emotionally charged rock-influenced pop sound. During the two-hour concert, he performed hit songs like 'Lemon', which became the first J-pop music video to surpass 900 million views on YouTube, 'Lady' and 'Kick Back', accompanied by stunning visuals and lighting.
J-pop star Kenshi Yonezu performs at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, South Korea, part of his 2025 Junk World Tour. Photo: Instagram/popo_mzk
Despite him delivering all his remarks in Japanese, the audience responded with enthusiastic cheers and singalongs. 'I was a bit nervous about how Korean fans would react,' he said, 'but today has been one of the most unforgettable days of my life'.
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