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K-POP artists active in Korea and other countries have proven their solid presence in the global music market by being included in the British music media NME’s ‘Top 50 Songs of 2025’. The list, announced on December 5 (Korean Standard Time, KST), includes CATS EYE’s ‘Gnarly’ at 5th place, NMIXX’s ‘Spinnin’ On It’ at 43rd place, and the Korean OST song ‘Golden’.
NME evaluated these songs, stating, “The unique genre blending and intense performances of K-POP have naturally combined with global music trends.” In particular, CATS EYE has gained attention as an ‘emerging global girl group’ with high streaming numbers primarily in North America and Europe this year. NMIXX has also rapidly expanded their fandom centered around TikTok and short-form platforms, leaving a strong impression with their unique vocal style and stage production.
The inclusion of the OST song ‘Golden’ is significant in terms of the expansion of K-content influence beyond K-POP. As the number of web dramas and game OSTs entering overseas streaming charts has increased this year, Korean music is showing a trend of expanding its influence by combining with various cultural contents, no longer limited to idol-centric themes.
NME’s year-end list in the global music market is accepted as a cultural trend indicator beyond simple rankings. The inclusion of numerous Korean songs is interpreted as a signal that K-POP is no longer confined to specific genres or regional fandoms, but has shifted to the center of pop culture as a whole.
Experts have evaluated this result, stating, “Since the 2020s, K-POP has transitioned from being a supplementary presence in the Western music market to a stage where it leads trends.” This analysis indicates that Korean music is consistently exerting influence across all metrics, including chart performance, streaming data, and social media reactions.
It will be interesting to see how Korean artists will communicate with global listeners and expand their musical spectrum in the future.
