Brisbane's K-Pop Community Surges Ahead of BrisAsia Festival Showcase
Around 200 performers are preparing for a K-pop showcase at the BrisAsia Festival. Producer Alice Chang indicated a significant increase in the local K-pop community.
The Netflix Effect and K-pop's Global Reach
Interest in K-pop escalated following the release of the Netflix animated movie "KPop Demon Hunters," which was Netflix's most-watched title in 2025.
Ms. Chang reported that the movie led to increased participation in K-pop workshops.
Suzi Coronado Veranes, owner of a dance studio in Brisbane, also noted a surge in demand for K-pop classes after the movie's release, describing Korean culture as a global phenomenon.
In 2025, the movie's anthem "Golden" topped the Aria charts for 10 weeks and received a Golden Globe award this year. Separately, K-pop group BTS announced an Australian tour, further highlighting the genre's growing global presence.
Local Enthusiasts and Expert Insights
Vivi Pham Dac, a K-pop student, expressed admiration for groups like BTS and Stray Kids. She began practicing K-pop dance at home before enrolling in formal classes with instructor Raina Joo, who has 20 years of experience teaching K-pop.
Ms. Joo observed that K-pop, already popular, is currently experiencing a boom, noting that performances require dance, facial expressions, and fashion.
River Hart, who has performed K-pop dance for 14 years, travels from the Gold Coast to Brisbane weekly for practice with her group, li7. Ms. Hart identified K-pop's variety, including ballad, rock, pop, and rap music, along with its visual elements and production quality, as key to its broad appeal.