K-pop Dominates Global Stage in 2025... Rosé, J-Hope, and G-Dragon Make Debut at French Charity Event

In 2025, K-pop’s global influence is expanding beyond music charts to reach international fashion and charity sectors. Following BLACKPINK’s Rosé reaching as high as fifth place on the Billboard Hot 100, K-pop stars including BTS’s Jin and J-Hope, as well as G-Dragon, performed at “Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes,” a charity event held on January 23 at La Défense Arena in Paris, France. Organized under the chairmanship of French First Lady Brigitte Macron, this event aims to assist hospitalized children and adolescents. French radio station NRJ expressed enthusiasm, stating that “this concert will feature the most spectacular lineup to date and be held on a larger scale.” Rosé has appeared at this event for three consecutive years since releasing her new album <rosie>, demonstrating strong support from her global fanbase. J-Hope is set to meet European fans first through this stage ahead of his debut solo world tour, while G-Dragon, who has been active recently, is expected to deliver a powerful performance. K-pop’s global spread is also evident in fashion circles. BTS’s Jin attended Gucci’s SS25 show at Milan Fashion Week last year and has since served as Gucci’s global brand ambassador. Italian luxury brands are appointing K-pop idols as global ambassadors and using social media and tailored advertising campaigns to attract new generations of customers. Prada appointed aespa’s Karina and NCT’s Jaehyun as brand ambassadors, with Jaehyun appearing as a guest at Prada’s “Sound of Prada” event in Seoul, helping to establish Seoul as the “center of music in the 21st century.” K-pop’s influence is spreading not only in Western countries but also among youth in various nations such as Iran. Iranian Culture Minister Abbas Salehi expressed concern over the rising popularity of K-pop among Iranian youths, asking, “Where did we go wrong, and how will we continue to go wrong?” This shows that despite the Islamic Republic’s restrictions on Western media and music, K-pop has found a foothold through online platforms and social media. Iranian youth are embracing not only K-pop music but also the broader Hallyu culture, including the Korean language, fashion, and entertainment, and have even formed online communities and social media groups to share these elements. The influence of K-pop fandoms is extending beyond cultural areas to stimulate political movements as well. In South Korea, K-pop fans have joined democracy protests demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, using their group’s Lightstick as a symbol of support during the demonstrations, with iconic K-pop songs like Girls’ Generation’s “Into The New World” playing at the protest sites. The wave of Hallyu has evolved into a widespread cultural phenomenon that encompasses international fashion, charity culture, and youth political participation.