It is said that music has no language, but the craze for K-Pop band BTS is such that fans all over the world are now learning Korean language. A survey has revealed that 93% of the fans are either learning Korean or want to learn it.
BTS has now become not just a music band but a ‘global instructor’. Millions of fans around the world are learning Korean language to understand the songs of their favorite stars and connect with them better. According to a recent survey by the Multi-Cultural Convergence Research Institute in 69 countries, 93 percent of BTS fans are interested in or learning the Korean language. This is not just a hobby, but a proof of the growing recognition of the Korean language around the world.
Target of digital education and TOPIK
Nowadays no one is going to classrooms to learn Korean. People are making do with learning apps, online videos and lyrics of BTS songs. The goal of more than half of the learners is to pass Level 4 of TOPIK, a test that measures Korean language ability. However, so far only 3% people have been able to achieve it, which shows that this language is not easy to learn. But the enthusiasm of the fans has not diminished and they are persistent on online platforms.
Why is BTS important for Korea’s economy?
Reports suggest that BTS is not only a matter of pride for South Korea, but also a huge source of income. According to the Bank of Korea, BTS-related exports alone bring US$5 billion to South Korea’s economy every year. It is because of the ‘soft power’ of BTS that 42% of the foreign tourists coming to Korea in the beginning of 2025 came because of K-content.
In 2025 alone, 2,39,000 students took admission in ‘King Sejong Institute’, South Korea’s official network teaching Korean language. Of these, 1,10,000 people are studying through online programmes. According to the report, the satisfaction level of students has increased significantly due to teaching using BTS interviews, song lyrics and performance footage.
World tour in March, fans’ enthusiasm high
This wave of language learning will gain further momentum due to BTS’s new album release and world tour starting from Seoul in the last week of March. Fans are busy preparing for the last round to sing in Korean with their favorite stars in the concert. It looks like this BTS magic that breaks language barriers will take the Korean learning craze to a new level in the years to come.