K-Pop’s Big 4 Unite to Launch Global Festival “Fanomenon”

HYBE, JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, and YG Entertainment — the companies driving South Korea’s music industry — have joined forces to develop a global K-pop festival titled “Fanomenon.” The name is a combination of “Fan” and “Phenomenon,” reflecting a movement created by fans worldwide.

This project is led by Park Jin-young, founder of JYP Entertainment. He currently serves as chairman of the Fair Trade Commission’s Public Culture Exchange Committee and introduced the concept of “Fanomenon” when the committee was established last October. The four companies recently submitted a proposal to establish a joint venture to the Fair Trade Commission, and the initiative is still in its initial stages. JYP Entertainment stated, “We are discussing a public-private partnership model with the government’s Public Culture Exchange Committee to advance the global expansion of the K-cultural industry.”

The schedule for holding the event will progress in phases. The festival will begin as a domestic event in South Korea in December 2027, before expanding into a global tour across major cities worldwide in May 2028. The ultimate goal is to create a world-class music festival on par with America’s Coachella, featuring not only K-pop artists but also top global musicians.

K-pop already holds an overwhelming presence around the world. According to a 2024 survey, approximately 200 million people in over 119 countries identify as K-pop fans. This demonstrates its role as a core driver of Hallyu and its significant position in the global music industry. JYP Entertainment added, “Specific business details and operational methods have not yet been finalized. We plan to make careful decisions after thoroughly considering market conditions and various opinions.”