As the world slowly recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the concert industry in South Korea has witnessed a remarkable revival. With international borders opening and social distancing measures relaxing, the demand for live music performances has soared, culminating in a significant increase in concert ticket sales last year.
NCT Dream concert in Seoul. | Dispatch
According to data from Yes24 Tickets — one of the country’s leading ticket reservation platforms — the pop music concert market experienced a rejuvenating surge, with annual performance ticket sales climbing by 13.2 percent compared to the previous year.
| Yes24
The latter part of 2023, particularly the end-of-year season — which traditionally sees a spike in performance schedules — witnessed a whopping 56.2 percent increase in ticket sales over the previous quarter. This surge was notably influenced by concerts from K-Pop giants and music industry legends. The month of October stood out as a peak in sales, showing an astounding 98.6 percent increase from September, largely thanks to ticket openings for end-of-year concerts by groups such as NCT 127 and The Boyz, as well as veteran performers like Cho Yong Pil and Nahoonah.
The first half of the year was no slouch either, with May leading the charge in sales. This spike was attributed to the sale of tickets for concerts by NCT Dream, The Boyz, Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon, and more, followed by June’s notable sales driven by international artists like Lauv and Charlie Puth, alongside K-Pop stalwarts SHINee and Stray Kids.
| @kimtaenos/Twitter
In the second half of the year, consistent sales were maintained with the sequential openings for concerts by international acts like Post Malone and K-Pop favorites, including NCT Nation and TWICE. Yes24’s report highlights a significant recovery in the concert sector, fueled by a mix of K-Pop idol groups and international stars, marking a continued boom from the previous year.
| JYP Entertainment
The best-selling concert of the year was NCT Dream’s Seoul encore concert, The Dream Show2: In Your Dream, solidifying the strong market presence of K-Pop idols. NCT 127, Stray Kids, and SHINee also dominated the top rankings, with Post Malone’s performance in Korea making a notable entry as the top international act. It’s noteworthy that Yes24’s ticket sales exclude concerts by groups affiliated with HYBE.
| Weverse
In sum, the concert market in South Korea has not only rebounded but thrived, thanks to the passionate support of music fans and the relentless energy of performing artists. As social distancing measures ease further and the global music scene continues to interconnect, the future of live music in South Korea looks brighter than ever.
