Korean K-Pop Band BTS and the Iranians: An Online Exploration

The meteoric ascent of the Korean music ensemble BTS has captured the attention of audiences worldwide with their distinctive fusion of pop, hip-hop, and R&B. Their ability to weave religious elements into their music has propelled their success far beyond mere musical band, breaking through cultural and linguistic confines. Their impact reshapes the music industry and presents an intriguing case of cultural exchange within the global entertainment scene. This data-mining study explores BTS’s remarkable ability to cultivate a vast fanbase in Iran. However, the findings indicate a waning influence in the region, as evidenced by a decrease in tweets about BTS from 39,237 to 23,697, and finally to 9,215 over three consecutive years leading up to 2024. Despite this decline, the core group of BTS enthusiasts in Iran, predominantly loyal teenage girls, continues to actively support the group.