Before writing this piece, I went back to “Boy In Luv” on YouTube just to refresh my memory of the first BTS music video I watched.
That song introduced me to the K-Pop world.
Back then, I was just a Kpop fan. I never imagined that my passion for Kpop would one day lead me to create Korean Entertainment Jobs, a jobs board we’ve dedicated to helping others find K-pop jobs and career opportunities, as well as K-drama related careers.
Since then, I’ve grown to discover other groups like Blackpink, EXO, and Red Velvet, each with their unique sound and style.
And along the way, I’ve come to realize that K-pop is no longer just about enjoying music—it has become an industry full of possibilities for creative and business-minded individuals.
The fashion, beauty, and lifestyle influenced by K-pop have become a significant part of pop culture around the world.
This growth means as fans, we can now do more than just buy albums and attend concerts - we can also build businesses around our passion for K-pop. And like me, there are many out there want to turn their fandom into income.
The question is, why is this the right time to start a side hustle or get a job in the kpop industry?
And what are some Kpop jobs or side hustle ideas for fans?
Let’s get started:
5 reasons why now is the right time for a kpop job or side hustle
People often ask me, is Kpop popularity not falling? They usually do this as an excuse to say that it won’t be profitable starting a Kpop related side hustle or getting a job in the Kpop industry.
But as I always say, it’s never been too late.
1. K-Pop’s global popularity is at an all-time high
Let’s face it, K-Pop’s global rise for the past few years is just remarkable. In fact, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), out of the 20 best-selling albums of 2023, 19 of them are from K-Pop musicians.
But that is not all. K-Pop artists now have many music concerts around the world. They have also made waves and continue to rise in major music awards, including The Grammy Awards, Billboard, and more.
With more international fans than ever before, there is a large audience willing to support businesses related to K-pop. And this is definitely your chance to get in.
As to why Kpop’s popularity is growing, a 2023 survey by Statista produced a number of reasons, of which the chart below can give us some insights:
Source: Statista’s Reasons for K-pop popularity worldwide 2023 Survey
2. Digital platforms will make K-pop side hustles easier
Thanks to the many digital or social media platforms, starting an online business or getting a K-Pop job has become easier.
Whether you’re selling merchandise, running a fan blog, or offering services, platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Etsy, and Instagram help reach potential customers worldwide.
And the beauty of the K-Pop industry is that fans on these social media platforms are always willing to support.
So what excuse do you have not to start your own online business in the K-Pop industry if that’s your aim?
3. There’s more demand for K-Pop fan-made content and products
As the entire Korean music industry grows, so do the fans also grow.
And these fans are always looking for unique, customized items that reflect their love for their favorite idols.
From handmade accessories to digital fan art, the market for fan-made products is growing. You don’t have to go into multiple niches. You can pick up blogging or start a review site where you review K-Pop merchandise. You can also start a YouTube channel reviewing products and Kpop content.
4. Opportunities in translation and localization
As K-pop expands, international fans need translations for interviews, social media posts, and even K-pop-related books.
If you know Korean or can create subtitles, there is a growing demand for these skills. But that’s not all. There are a lot of Korean Pop blogs and news outlets that will hire you to write blog posts or K-pop news for them.
There have been on a few occasions where we had to hire freelance Kpop content writers to come up with blog posts or website content for me. There are a lot of these Kpop online jobs too, and you just have to search for them.
5. Growing K-pop events and communities
Can we even count the number of K-Pop events around the world every year? They’re everywhere it’s so hard to keep up. And that presents us with lots of opportunities as fans.
Fan conventions, concerts, and online communities provide more chances to network and sell products or services that are related to K-Pop.
Pop-up events, fan projects, and K-pop-themed cafes are becoming more popular worldwide as well. You need to search online for these opportunities or search your city for any Kpop jobs or agencies hiring.
Side Hustle Ideas for K-pop Fans
A lot of us just want to be K-Pop fans and nothing else. That’s good to know, and you don’t need to start a side hustle or get a K-Pop related job if you don’t want to.
However, some of us may want to take our Kpop fandom further. This section is made for you.
If you love K-pop and want to start a side business, here are some ideas:
- Online K-pop Merchandise Business: This includes selling customized T-shirts, stickers, posters, or accessories.
- K-Pop Fan Content Creation: You can start a YouTube channel, blog, or TikTok page focused on K-pop news, reactions, or discussions. KpopWise is a perfect example.
- Offering Translation Services: Offer translations for fan sites, interviews, and social media posts.
- Event Planning: Organize K-pop-themed parties, dance workshops, or fan meet-ups.
- Graphic Design and Art: Create and sell digital prints, phone wallpapers, or album cover designs inspired by K-pop.
- Dance or Vocal Coaching: If you’re skilled in K-pop dance or vocals, you can teach others through online or in-person classes.
- Reselling K-pop Albums and Merch: Import and sell official merchandise to international fans who have limited access.
How you can get started
Like many passive income fields, it takes some planning to get things running. If you want to start a career in K-Pop, whether that is selling merch or blogging, you need some foundations. Here’s how to plan to get things rolling:
1. Identify your strengths and interests
While K-Pop may be seen as one field, there are many areas you can get into if you want to start a career in the field. So just being a staunch Kpop fan doesn’t cut it. You need to know your area of expertise.
Are you good at writing? Then maybe starting a K-pop blog or news site may be a good idea. If you’re good at design and marketing, you can go into merch sales.
The bottom line is, always choose a hustle that matches your skills and what you enjoy.
2. Research the market
You’re a K-Pop fan, that’s perfect. You also have a specialty, say blogging, that’s also great. But how well do you know the current market?
You need to do a lot of digging into the industry. There’s no hard rule for this, but you can start by looking at what other fans are doing and checking out other blogs.
What are the tools you need, where is your target market located? Are you going to blog or do the business for just your locality? Or the aim is to go global? Doing thorough research will give you the confidence to start.
3. Start Small
This is your first attempt at a side hustle, so you don’t have to go big. Even if this is your second or third time, there’s always room for improvement after you start small.
As a result, you don’t need a big investment. Begin with a simple social media page or online shop and build things from there.
4. Network with other fans and creators
Regardless of how good you are or how deep you’ve done research, this is not a journey you can walk alone.
You need a lot of help with promotion, and that is where you need help from the community. If you want to succeed, you need to collaborate with other K-pop fans to grow your audience.
5. Stay Updated on Trends
I’ve not come across an industry that moves as fast as K-Pop. New trends crop up every now and then. If you want to have the slightest success, you need to be abreast with the latest stuff in the industry.
What are we looking at here when it comes to trends? Well, it largely depends on your industry. But on a general level, you are going to be monitoring new releases, trends, and fan interests.
Conclusion
It’s never too late to start a side hustle or look for an online job in the Kpop industry. Thing is, the industry is always growing. All you require is a bit of research and passion, and you’ll be on your way to a passive income stream.
Good luck!
Bio
Saibu is a K-pop and K-drama fan who, along with friends, runs koreanentertainmentjobs.com, a kpop and kdrama job board, and hallyuhustle.com, a side hustle business for fellow fans who want to earn money with their Kpop & Kdrama fandom. Please subscribe to our Korean Entertainment Jobs newsletter for regular updates.