"Can actually make kpop companies get back in track"— K-pop fans divided over the controversial TikTok ban in the US

The controversial ban on TikTok in the U.S., implemented on January 19, 2025, has sparked mixed reactions among K-pop enthusiasts. The platform, which became inaccessible following a federal mandate requiring ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to either sell to a non-Chinese owner or shut down, has left fans debating its implications on the global music industry.

For many K-pop fans, TikTok served as an essential platform for discovering and engaging with new music, including viral challenges that propelled K-pop hits to global fame. With groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, and Stray Kids leveraging the platform for massive exposure, some fans expressed concern over the loss of such a powerful marketing tool.

However, many fans saw the ban as an opportunity for K-pop companies to refocus. They argued that recent trends of producing music tailored for TikTok virality often resulted in superficial content, detracting from the depth and artistry the genre was once known for. An X user, @_xiuliet wrote,

"Tiktok shutting down in the us can actually make kpop companies get back in track and stop making cringey music just for the purpose of tiktok trends virality."

Fans hoped the ban might encourage artists and agencies to prioritize meaningful music over trendy but fleeting social media challenges.

"I'm kinda glad tiktok is getting banned. People didn't even listen to songs anymore they just listened to 15 seconds of it and made dances to the song. And sometimes the song would just be repeating the same words that were trending from the song over and over again," an X user wrote.

"wait so r kpop grps still gonna post on tiktok..? they're gonna flop without americans lowkey," a netizen wrote.

"TikTok getting banned means Attention spans will increase, Way less brain rot, Humans will learn common decency again, Kpop will get creative again and no longer catchy just for cheap TikTok trends, Artist will get creative again, Kpop Choreography will get creative again," a user mentioned.

"Less cringe or an annoying content," a user added.

However, other sections of netizens were worried that U.S.-based fans, a significant audience for Korean music, might miss out on future content, reducing the reach of new music and performances.

"the greatest loss when it comes to the tiktok ban is the kpop (and general fandom) edits and clips, like no other platform is good for those really, unless they're reposted here," a fan wrote.

"Me thinking about all the tiktoks these kpop groups are gonna upload not understanding their intl American fan base were their biggest viewers and now we can't watch anything from them on the app since it's banned here," an X user mentioned.

"PLEASE DONT BAN TIKTOK WHERE WILL I GET ALL MY KPOP VIDEOS AND UPDATES FROM," a person added.

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More about K-pop groups and their followers on the TikTok app

The debate reflects the deep influence TikTok had on the K-pop industry. As per the data provided by Statista, BTS leads the platform's follower count at 71.2 million, followed by BLACKPINK's Rosé and other top-tier artists. The app played a pivotal role in connecting them with international fans.

Now, as K-pop fans adapt to the absence of TikTok, discussions have shifted to alternative platforms and the future of global music promotion.

Here’s the list of leading K-pop artists and their follower counts on TikTok as of January 2025:

1. BTS – 71.2 million
2. BLACKPINK Rosé – 50 million
3. BLACKPINK – 49.3 million
4. Stray Kids – 29.1 million
5. ENHYPEN – 26.8 million
6. TWICE – 25.9 million
7. TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER) – 25.9 million
8. BTS Jungkook – 20.2 million
9. BLACKPINK Lisa – 17.6 million
10. ITZY – 15.5 million

While the ban primarily affects U.S. users, its ripple effects have reached neighboring regions like Canada, where some fans are experiencing restricted access due to shared app stores and VPN limitations.

Meanwhile, K-pop fans worldwide have turned to platforms like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, though some argue these lack the engagement and immediacy TikTok provides.

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Whether the TikTok ban will reshape K-pop or merely redirect its promotional strategies remains to be seen. For now, fans and artists alike must navigate a new landscape, balancing creativity with the challenges of a shifting digital environment.