K-Wave Grows Bigger: K-pop Stars Join World-Famous Pop Stars in Global Rankings

K-pop artists have gained significant recognition by securing prominent spots on the newly launched 'Luminate Index,' a chart that evaluates artist influence.

Introduced in October, the Luminate Index aims to provide deeper insights into artist fandom among U.S. audiences, factoring in streaming (30%), social media presence (15%), artist awareness (25%), public appeal (15%), and engagement (15%). Engagement metrics include ticket sales for live events, live streaming, and brand collaborations.

This innovative approach offers a more nuanced understanding of artist impact, and Luminate—known for supplying album sales data for the Billboard charts—is using this tool to shed light on K-pop’s position in the market.

In the Q3 2024 rankings, eight K-pop acts made the top 250 list, with LE SSERAFIM leading at 66th place (72 points).

LE SSERAFIM, a girl group that debuted in May 2022, has risen to prominence with consecutive global hits like 'FEARLESS,' 'ANTIFRAGILE,' 'UNFORGIVEN,' and 'EASY.' Their powerful narratives and bold concepts have earned them widespread acclaim and a reputation as one of Korea’s leading girl groups.

Other notable K-pop entries include Stray Kids at 84th (70 points), NewJeans at 97th (68 points), and TXT (Tomorrow X Together) at 106th (67 points). ITZY (153rd, 61 points), TWICE (177th, 60 points), (G)I-DLE (225th, 56 points), and BLACKPINK’s Lisa (235th, 55 points) also secured spots on the chart.

BTS and BLACKPINK did not make the list as groups this year due to a lack of team activities.

The strong presence of K-pop acts in the rankings underscores their growing influence in the U.S. market. Luminate’s data targets women aged 13–34, offering valuable insights into the characteristics of K-pop fandoms. For example, TXT achieved a high overall ranking thanks to exceptional fan engagement, despite lower awareness and streaming metrics.

American pop legends Taylor Swift, Adele, and Beyoncé claimed the top three spots on the index. However, the inclusion of K-pop stars alongside such global icons highlights the genre’s expanding footprint in international markets.

K-pop’s unique fandom culture, characterized by active fan participation beyond music consumption, also stood out in the analysis. By incorporating metrics like fan engagement and social media influence, the Luminate Index provides a comprehensive evaluation of artist impact, further solidifying K-pop’s role as a global cultural phenomenon.