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In June, a South Korean K-Pop girl band called QWER launched their ‘QWER busking everywhere’, series. This was one in a long line of busking news stories coming out of South Korea, so I asked Camila—who did her undergraduate degree there and is fluent in Korean—to do a little research project to see what’s going on.
The history of K-Pop’s involvement in busking
– By Camila Hidalgo
‘Busking’ gained popularity during the 2010s, but the idea has been around since the 90s. The concept started as a segment on a variety show where famous idols (Shinhwa, G.O.D, S.E.S., Rain, Boa, etc.) had to hold these ‘guerrilla concerts’ as a test of their popularity. They would announce them about 10-12 hours in advance, set up a stage in weird or hard-to-reach locations, and see if they could get a certain number of people to show up.
When I lived in Korea (2012-2016) the term 'guerilla concert' was synonymous with surprise events and performances, more of a publicity stunt or a 'thank you' performance for loyal fans.
‘Busking’ was originally considered the exclusive domain of indie bands, but it now describes a tool that rookie idol groups exploit, especially those preparing to debut. Unlike TV or radio programs, where appearances are brief, scripted and heavily edited, busking offers idols the opportunity to showcase their talents, connect more authentically with (potential) fans, interact with the public in a more intimate way, and stand out among other rookies. And fans get a chance to see their idols up close in a more relaxed, informal environment.
These shows are announced ahead of time, usually a few hours before. Right now with Instagram and TikTok it seems to be much more organized, but I remember back when I lived there idols would only announce the performances in their fan cafe (kind of a blog for official fans) and sometimes distribute flyers in the area just before the event.
They perform on popular busking pitches like Hongdae and Sinchon, in front of major subway/train stations, in public parks, small venues, and sometimes at malls. Many of these shows are pre-arranged by their entertainment agency as these places occasionally require permits/security.
It’s not strictly busking though: they don’t do it for tips. I read that some actual street performers have expressed concern that these tactics are making it harder for lesser-known performers to secure space and attention.
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