2023 Spotify Wrapped: How the world listened to K-Pop this year

BTS, BLACKPINK and rookie powerhouse NewJeans dominate the list of most-streamed K-Pop artists and songs

 

Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming service, has launched its annual Wrapped campaign, unveiling how more than 574 million people around the globe listened this year. 

 

As part of the celebrations of the top artists and songs that formed the world’s soundtrack to 2023, Spotify is also putting the spotlight on K-Pop: the genre that has scaled the globe and proven that music, from anywhere in the world, can transcend language and cultural boundaries. 

Here are the Global Top K-Pop Artists and Songs of 2023 Spotify Wrapped

On top of the list of Global Top K-Pop Artists of the Year is BTS, maintaining their stronghold from 2022. Following the group’s line-up of successful solo releases in 2023, five members of the septet are also rounding off the year by ranking among the top 20 most-streamed K-Pop Artists globally. This includes Jung Kook at #3, Jimin at #6, V at #11, Agust D (also known as SUGA) at #16 and j-hope at #20. 

Also on the list of most-streamed K-Pop artists this year are global phenomenons who continue to hold the hearts of listeners. BLACKPINK (#2), TWICE (#7), SEVENTEEN (#8) and NCT DREAM

(#18) are amongst the top 20, alongside 4th-gen powerhouses that have proved they are forces to be reckoned with. This includes NewJeans (#4), Stray Kids (#5), TOMORROW X TOGETHER (#9) and LE SSERAFIM (#10), who rank in the top ten. 

 

BTS, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans continue to dominate on the list of Global Top K-Pop Songs of the Year. Collectively, the three groups and some of the members of BLACKPINK and BTS swept up 17 of the top 20 spots for the most streamed K-Pop tracks. 

 

The Top K-Pop Song of the Year goes to Jung Kook’s debut solo single, “Seven (feat. Latto)”, which made Spotify history by becoming the fastest song to hit one billion streams in just 108 days and join the Spotify Billions Club. His songs “Dreamers [Music from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack]” and 3D “(feat. Jack Harlow)” also charted on the top 20 list at #12 and #14 respectively. 

 

Three of Jimin’s hits from his six-track album, FACE clinched spots on the list as well: “Like Crazy” (#3), “Set Me Free Pt. 2” (#15) and “Like Crazy (English Version)” (#17). With V’s “Love Me Again” (#16), and “Take Two” (#18) and “Dynamite” (#19) by BTS also amongst this year’s most-streamed K-Pop tracks, a total of nine of the top 20 spots were performed by the boys of BTS. 

 

Another standout on the list of most-streamed K-Pop songs is “MONEY” (#7) by LISA of BLACKPINK , which also entered Spotify’s Billions Club this year and made LISA the first female K-Pop artist to reach the milestone. In addition to “FLOWER” (#8) by bandmate JISOO, “Shut Down” and “Pink Venom” by BLACKPINK also made it to the top 20 list at #9 and #11 respectively. 

 

Following their remarkable rookie year, four of NewJeans’ hit songs ranked amongst the top 10. Claiming consecutive spots from #4 to #6 are “OMG”, ”Ditto” and “Super Shy” in the respective order, while “Hype Boy” comes in at #10. Completing the top 10 list is the viral hit “Cupid - Twin Ver.” by FIFTY FIFTY at #2. 

 

Head to this playlist on Spotify to listen to our editor’s picks for the best K-Pop tracks of 2023, including the songs in this year’s top 20 list of Global K-Pop Top Songs: K-Pop ON! (온) Presents Best K-Pop Songs of 2023.

 

The full 2023 Wrapped Global Top K-Pop lists can be found below. 

 

2023 Spotify Wrapped Global K-Pop Top Lists 

 

Global Top K-Pop Artists of the Year, 2023

BTS BLACKPINK Jung Kook NewJeans Stray Kids Jimin TWICE SEVENTEEN TOMORROW X TOGETHER LE SSERAFIM

V ENHYPEN FIFTY FIFTY (G)I-DLE IVE Agust D aespa NCT DREAM LISA j-hope

 

Global Top K-Pop Songs of the Year, 2023

“Seven (feat. Latto)” by Jung Kook “Cupid - Twin Ver.” by FIFTY FIFTY “Like Crazy” by Jimin “OMG” by NewJeans “Ditto” by NewJeans “Super Shy” by NewJeans “MONEY” by LISA “FLOWER” by JISOO “Shut Down” by BLACKPINK “Hype Boy” by NewJeans

“Pink Venom” by BLACKPINK “Dreamers [Music from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack]” by Jung Kook “ANTIFRAGILE” by LE SSERAFIM “3D (feat. Jack Harlow)” by Jung Kook “Set Me Free Pt.2” by Jimin “Love Me Again” by V “Like Crazy (English Version)” by Jimin “Take Two” by BTS “Dynamite” by BTS “Queencard” by (G)I-DLE

 

V takes over Spotify’s K-Pop ON! to celebrate the release of his solo debut album ‘Layover’

It’s official! After weeks of teasers, including the pre-release of two tracks, V of BTS made his highly anticipated solo debut with the launch of the album, Layover. 

 

In addition to being the final installation in the series of solo debuts by the BTS members, the six-track album is a celebration of V’s characteristics and color as a solo artist, serving dreamy vocals against Pop R&B sounds. And ARMYs all over the world are truly loving this side of V. Since its launch, the pre-release track Love Me Again has amassed over 105 million Spotify streams, and the album’s title track, Slow Dancing, debuted at #11 on Spotify’s Global Daily Top Songs chart the day of its release. As of today, Slow Dancing has over 20 million streams on Spotify. 

 

Enjoy more of V with exclusive content on K-Pop ON!  

 

To celebrate this solo debut, Spotify is letting fans discover more to the music of Layover and V as a soloist with a series of new episodes on its K-Pop ON! YouTube and Video Podcast channels.

 

In Spotipoly V Edition, V gives his all to ace the missions and win chances to personally introduce his new album to ARMY. In between challenges that had the self-proclaimed game lover fishing against the clock, rain-making, and dropping a beat with mini instruments, V takes us on a journey through Layover, sharing the stories behind each track. 

 

On the UNBOXING SHOW, V juggles between surprise missions, and unboxing and answering some of ARMY’s burning questions. From talking about his current hobby, to the little things that bring him joy, his fur-baby ‘Yeontan’, and TMI from the making of Layover - this interview with a twist unpacks the many charms of the global star. 

 

“In life, going directly to your final destination is pretty rare. So through this “Layover”,  I hope people can take a break, self-reflect, and look back on your goals. I wish that everyone, including myself, would not neglect themselves because they are too focused on their work. When working or doing something, rather, I hope they can think about their health and happiness and other aspects of their mental well-being. Sometimes, it’s okay to take a break,” says V in the UNBOXING SHOW. 

 

Catch these episodes and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage on Spotify’s K-Pop ON! video podcast and YouTube channels.

 

For your daily dose of K-Pop, follow @SpotifyKpop on Twitter, and tune in to the K-Pop ON! Playlist on Spotify.

Spotify launches Kalye X, its latest initiative dedicated to collaborations between artists, fans, and the community

Expanding the possibilities of Pinoy hip-hop, Spotify launches Kalye X, its latest initiative dedicated to collaborations between artists, fans, and the community. As part of the initiative, Spotify worked with emerging and established Pinoy hip-hop artists to release a series of Spotify Singles. A first-of-its-kind in the Philippines, these original tracks bring together local artists to showcase the depth and diversity of Pinoy hip-hop.

 

From August until October, three Spotify Singles will be released, featuring artists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Kicking it off is the dynamic pairing of Midnasty and Cookie$, presenting their track as an ode to the vibrant Visayan scene. Hailing from Zamboanga, the inventive collective Morobeats led by DJ Medmessiah, reimagines the sound of Mindanao hip-hop with their unique track. Lastly, representing the streets of Manila, Gloc 9, Hero, and Ramdiss will pull off a three-way collaboration like no other.  

"As a way to bring Spotify's Kalye Hip-Hop playlist to life, Kalye X aims to amplify the everyday stories and experiences, told by passionate artists and communities. With the growth of Pinoy hip-hop listenership doubling in the past year, it’s important that we empower our artists to share their craft with fans in a deeper way, as well as push the boundaries of Pinoy hip-hop music culture,” said Kossy Ng, Head of Music for Spotify Asia.

 

Filipinos are fired up for hip-hop

Through its chest-thumping beats and infectious rapid-fire lyrics, Filipinos have had an incredible appetite for Pinoy hip-hop. Local hip-hop songs witnessed an impressive 700% growth in local streams in the past five years, while Spotify’s Kalye Hip-Hop playlist saw a five times increase in listenership since it launched in 2018. 

 

Notably, listenership of Pinoy hip-hop also grew globally at 600% strong with top markets including the United States, Canada, and Australia and more. Spotify's global reach not only gives artists the opportunity to connect with fans and potential new listeners from around the world, it also serves as a way for Filipinos living overseas to stay connected to local culture.

 

Speaking at the launch party held in Brooklyn Warehouse in Manila, Kossy Ng, Head of Music for Spotify Asia was joined by hip-hop artists Al James and Cookie$ and shared more insights on the vibrancy of the Pinoy hip-hop scene.

 

Filipino rapper and songwriter Al James gave a shoutout to the OG Pinoy rappers for inspiring him to pursue his own dreams.  “Just by listening to them, they became my mentors. They passed on the energy of Pinoy hip-hop to us. I’m proud of what and where Pinoy hip-hop is now. He also weighed in on the possibilities of Pinoy hip-hop in the global scene, “Parang sabi ni Cookie$ kanina, na-represent niya ‘yung Cebuano. Kaya ng Cebuano, Tagalog, tumagos sa ibang bansa”.

 

Cookie$ shared how he found his voice as a way to represent his roots, “When I started rapping in Bisaya, I found my niche, and it made me stand out. My language has a very distinct sound and tends to be very passionate. It is important to put Bisaya culture on the map and inspire others looking to follow their passion. Spotify has been continuing to help me and other artists elevate Filipino talent while remaining true to our roots and distinct artistries.”

 

For the community, by the community

Spotify’s Kalye X launch brought together hip-hop artists and the community to celebrate the potential of Pinoy hip-hop, with live performances by Midnasty, Morobeats, and Al James. Inspired by the Kalye Hip-Hop playlist, the interactive graffiti street art installation by Kayo Cosio and Trip63 breathed life into the venue, while the dance battle featuring the Philippine All-Stars with music by DJ Jazz Zamora displayed hip-hop’s boundless energy.

 

Continue on Kalye X's journey, with Spotify taking the launch of the three Spotify Singles to the heart of Cebu on 26 August, Davao on 23 September, and Manila on 28 October, where the artists will unveil and perform their latest tracks in the first-ever series of Spotify Kalye X concerts. For more information, follow @spotifyph on social media.

Immerse Yourself in the World of BARBIE: Spotify Unleashes Exciting New Features and Playlists for Fan

The world premiere of the highly anticipated Barbie movie, directed by Little Women writer-director Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie as the world’s most popular doll, is here. To celebrate the massive cultural moment that is Barbie, listeners will notice that things have gotten a little more pink on Spotify, starting with a refresh of the exclusive Barbie Official Playlist and a special Barbie-pink play bar.

 

Featuring an all-star cast that includes Ryan Gosling as “Ken,” as well as appearances by America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and Kate McKinnon, every new trailer or clip that has been released since the first few images came out last year has ramped up excitement for the film. There’s been a rise in pink clothing sales, food vendors are introducing Barbie-themed menu items, and a real-life pink Malibu DreamHouse was bui

BARBIE has taken over soundwaves across the globe – in fact, we’ve seen more than 620,000 Barbie-related user-generated playlists on Spotify, with top tracks like “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, “Barbie Tingz” by Nicki Minaj, and “California Gurls” by Katy Perry and Snoop Doggbeing added to playlists. 

 

To celebrate the highly-anticipated world premiere of BARBIE, Spotify is refreshing its exclusive Barbie Official Playlist with new tracks including Dua Lipa “Dance The Night,” Billie Eilish “What Was I Made For” and Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice “ Barbie World (with Aqua).” 

 

Plus, Spotify users will experience:

 

The newly updated Barbie Official Playlist brings in new music from Atlantic Records to celebrate all the Barbies and Kens (and Allans) out there. For example, Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night,” Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” and the Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice banger “Barbie World (with Aqua)” make the cut. The playlist will also feature Spotify Canvas on selected tracks, which features film footage that gives fans an immersive experience. The score for the movie, composed by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, will be released on August 4 and will be featured on the official playlist. 

 

Listeners will also find a Living in a Barbie World destination that features the Barbie Official Playlist and other playlists to get you ready for your Barbie summer including Summer Pop and our new Hot Pink playlist that will give listeners a personalized Barbie-inspired vibe.

 

Even before its release, Barbie has been a source of joy, nostalgia, and humor for so many. Now, with the launch of our Barbie-themed experience, we are helping listeners embrace their fun sides. Just don’t forget your rollerblades.