A K-content exhibition booth, operated by Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), greets visitors at Lotte Shopping Avenue in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 20. Korea Times photo by Lee Gyu-lee Enthusiasts connect at K-pop cafes, merchandise stores By Lee Gyu-lee JAKARTA, Indonesia — The global spotlight on K-pop is no longer surprising, with major acts like BTS and BLACKPINK firmly established in the international music scene.
Among its expanding global fanbase, Indonesia has emerged as a particularly enthusiastic market for Korean cultural content, especially K-pop. The country's growing enthusiasm for Korean music and culture has made it a crucial destination for K-pop artists, who now view Indonesia as a key stop for their concerts and events. “Four years ago when COVID-19 hit, people started watching more Korean shows and other content which significantly boosted their interest in K-content and music,” Nixie, an 18-year-old fan, told The Korea Times, Aug.
17. “Most of my friends, including me, have become a K-pop fan, and we go to concerts and collect (favorite K-pop stars’) photo cards and other merchandise,” said Nixie who is also a daughter of the owner of a K-pop-themed café, Ta-de-o, located in South Jakarta. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Indonesia had the second-highest percentage of people who reported experiencing K-pop, at 88.
6 percent — just .