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Different K-pop for different people

January 24, 2014

Recent poll shows EXO in North America, SHINEE in Europe, f(x) most popular in Asia 

The poll indicates that EXO seems to have the largest number of K-pop fans in North America. (Newsis)

The poll indicates that EXO seems to have the largest number of K-pop fans in North America. (Newsis)

By Chung Ah-young

The popularity of K-pop singers turns out to differ by region worldwide, a recent poll showed.

The poll indicates that EXO seems to have the largest number of K-pop fans in North America, while SHINEE prevails in Europe and f(x) and Kim Hyun-joong as leader of SS501, are most popular in Asia.

CJ E&M surveyed foreign fans from 20 nations who participated in an online poll for M Countdown, a cable network music show, on their favorite K-pop singers from January to December last year.

According to the poll, f(x) topped with 16.4 percent of the votes, followed by Shinhwa with 15.1 percent, Kim with 9.3 percent, EXO with 6.5 percent and SHINEE with 5.4 percent in the overall ratings.

By nation, fans from the United States, Canada and Australia cast the largest number of votes for EXO ― 11.1 percent in the U.S.; 12.1 percent in Canada; and 13.4 percent in Australia.

In European countries, SHINEE seemed to be the most popular among other K-pop stars. The group received the biggest number of votes in the United Kingdom with 15.4 percent and in France with 11 percent. It also topped the ratings in Spain, Russia and Poland.

However, Asian fans seem to be divided over their favorite K-pop singers.

In China, f(x) ranked first with 27.1 percent of the votes, while Kim turned out to the most popular in Japan with 19 percent. In Taiwan, FTISLAND garnered 21 percent while 2NE1 was most loved in the Philippines winning 15.8 percent of the votes.

Meanwhile, EXO was found to be the most popular in India and Henry from Super Junior M has the largest fan base in Saudi Arabia. SHINEE garnered the largest number of the votes in Mexico while f(x) received the biggest support from Brazil. In Korea, EXO took the top spot with 12.4 percent.

“Foreign fans have different preferences in their favorite K-pop stars reflecting the characteristics of the people and the K-pop artists’ activities in their regions. K-pop artists can make a great use of this data for their promotion strategies tailored for regional preferences,” said an official of CJ E&M.