The Cross-Industry Impact of K-pop in China

Yaxi Yang

doi:10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT26365

Communications in Humanities ResearchOpen access

The Cross-Industry Impact of K-pop in China

Research Article

Open Access

The Cross-Industry Impact of K-pop in China

Yaxi Yang ^1*

¹ Guangzhou Huamei English Experimental School

^*Corresponding author: yyx@uest.edu.gr

Published on 27 August 2025

CHR Vol.75

ISSN (Print): 2753-7072

ISSN (Online): 2753-7064

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-317-8

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-318-5

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Abstract

This study takes the South Korean girl group aespa as a case study to examine the cross-sectoral influence of K-pop in China, encompassing the entertainment industry, digital economy, cultural consumption, brand marketing, and technological development. By comparing the industrialized star-making system of South Korea with the localized practices of Chinese talent shows, the paper identifies key challenges and strategies in balancing efficiency with cultural relevance. Empirical analysis of aespa’s digital album sales on Tencent Music reveals the evolving dynamics of digital music monetization and fan economy models. Further, case studies on co-branding with Chinese companies demonstrate how K-pop facilitates cross-border marketing and brand globalization. Additionally, the group’s integration of virtual avatars and metaverse concepts offers insight into the application of virtual technology in interactive entertainment and digital content creation. The findings suggest that K-pop’s systemic and flexible model offers a valuable reference for Chinese industries seeking to coordinate standardized production with localized innovation, and to build internationally competitive digital ecosystems.

Keywords:

K-pop, cultural integration, fan economy, digital content industry, virtual idols.

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References

[1]. Huxiu News. Without the Chinese market, K-Pop is tottering? (2024). https: //m.huxiu.com/article/2413205.html?type=text

[2]. Koreadailyus. (2024) aespa, Red Velvet struggle as K-pop declines in China. (n.d.). https: //www.koreadailyus.com/aespa-red-velvet-struggle-as-k-pop-declines-in-china/

[3]. Korea JoongAng Daily. (2024) Inside naevis: SM Entertainment reveals how its virtual idol was made.. https: //koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-10-16/entertainment/kpop/Inside-naevis-SM-Entertainment-reveals-how-its-virtual-idol-was-made/2156344

[4]. Sina Finance. (2024). The full-scale entry of K-pop into China: Booming fan signings, waning photocard trends, and diverse revenue models. https: //finance.sina.cn/2024-01-19/detail-inaczksp8419675.dhtml

[5]. Safitri, Y. (2024). aespa: Beyond the real world.. Medium.

[6]. Kim, S.-H., & Yoo, J.-Y. (2021). A study on the recognition and acceptance of metaverse in the entertainment industry: Focusing on the case of K-pop idol 'aespa' fandom. Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association, 15(7), 1–15.

[7]. Weng, H. (2024). Research on analyzing the commercial value of AI and Kwangya's world view to SM Entertainment based on AESPA’s musical concept. SHS Web of Conferences, 181, 01011.

[8]. Lin, X. P. (2018) An analysis of the innovative strategies of "fan monetization" in cultivation-style talent show online variety shows: Taking Produce 101 China as an example. Encyclopedic Knowledge, (7), 86.

[9]. Li, H.(2015). South Korean cosmetics' situation in China. China Business.

[10]. Nuranda, D. R., & Purwaningtyas, M. P. F. (2023). Between human and virtual idol: Fans reception analysis of digital alter ego concept. Jurnal Komunikasi dan Media (JKM), 15(1), 1–15.

References

[1]. Huxiu News. Without the Chinese market, K-Pop is tottering? (2024). https: //m.huxiu.com/article/2413205.html?type=text

[2]. Koreadailyus. (2024) aespa, Red Velvet struggle as K-pop declines in China. (n.d.). https: //www.koreadailyus.com/aespa-red-velvet-struggle-as-k-pop-declines-in-china/

[5]. Safitri, Y. (2024). aespa: Beyond the real world.. Medium.

[7]. Weng, H. (2024). Research on analyzing the commercial value of AI and Kwangya's world view to SM Entertainment based on AESPA’s musical concept. SHS Web of Conferences, 181, 01011.

[9]. Li, H.(2015). South Korean cosmetics' situation in China. China Business.

[10]. Nuranda, D. R., & Purwaningtyas, M. P. F. (2023). Between human and virtual idol: Fans reception analysis of digital alter ego concept. Jurnal Komunikasi dan Media (JKM), 15(1), 1–15.

Cite this article

Yang,Y. (2025). The Cross-Industry Impact of K-pop in China. Communications in Humanities Research,75,46-51.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICADSS 2025 Symposium: Consciousness and Cognition in Language Acquisition and Literary Interpretation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-317-8(Print) / 978-1-80590-318-5(Online)

Editor: Yanhua Qin, Enrique Mallen

Conference website: https://2025.icadss.org/Huntsville.html

Conference date: 17 September 2025

Series: Communications in Humanities Research

Volume number: Vol.75

ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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