K-pop isn’t just taking over playlists and streaming charts. It’s inspiring more people to learn Korean, too. A new survey from Superprof, the world’s largest tutoring network, shows that K-pop fans eager to connect with their favorite idols, shows, and culture are driving unprecedented demand for Korean language lessons. 

Virtually all Korean-language tutors surveyed say they’ve noticed the trend, with many adapting their lessons to meet student passions, whether that’s understanding song lyrics, watching K-dramas, or connecting with Korean culture.

Key Findings of the Survey:

• 95% of tutors believe the K-pop craze is creating more demand for Korean lessons
• 86% say more students are citing BTS or other K-pop influences as their reason to learn the language
• 83% have updated their teaching materials to reflect students’ K-pop and cultural interests
• 77% believe the interest in learning Korean due to K-pop is here to stay

“If your fave band drops a new track or your group wins a big award, you want to actually understand what’s happening,” said Mina Ozdemir, PR Manager at Superprof. “Fans are showing up to learn the language and get closer to the culture, from BLACKPINK to ‘The Glory.’ And our tutors are excited to make that possible!”

Teaching Korean as a Side Hustle

The survey also shows why tutoring Korean is gaining traction as a side hustle, especially among Gen Z. Nearly 85% of tutors recommend it as a good way to earn extra income, with 68% saying they already view tutoring as their side gig. For Gen Z tutors, combining language skills with pop culture makes it a natural fit.

Student motivations vary, but tutors said that K-pop and Korean culture are leading drivers:

• 84% of tutors say students are motivated by cultural interests like food, fashion, and K-dramas
• 77% report students want to travel to South Korea
• 66% say K-pop music sparks student interest
• 39% of tutors cite academic motivations for students learning Korean
• 35% say students want to connect with family or friends in Korean

The Big Reveal: Tutors’ Favorite Group 

When it comes to top K-pop groups, BTS is solidly in the lead among the surveyed tutors, with 51% naming it their favorite group. They were followed by BLACKPINK (21%), with NJZ (6.7%), and Stray Kids (5.6%) bringing up the rear. 

"I’ve been teaching Korean culture classes, especially around Korea’s two biggest holidays, Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving),” said Sunhee Kim, Superprof Korean Tutor. “I’ve also taught lessons comparing Korean Parents’ Day with the U.S. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, which helps students understand the differences in how each culture honors family and elders. And for K-pop fans, I teach Korean using the lyrics of their favorite groups’ songs, incorporating real-life expressions into the lesson. I believe this cultural approach allows students to engage more deeply with the language while enjoying what they love most about Korean culture."

As global interest in K-pop and Korean culture continues to grow, Superprof tutors are helping more students dive into the language, as well as the culture behind it. Superprof connects students and tutors in over 100 countries, offering lessons in more than 1,000 subjects. 

The Superprof global survey questioned 91 Korean-language tutors from June 5 to 20, 2025.

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