Music Bank World Tour: Bringing K-pop's Biggest Stars to Global Stages
The Music Bank World Tour is a premier global concert series produced by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS). Designed to bring the energy of South Korea's most popular music programs to an international audience, the tour features a rotating cast of top K-pop acts performing in major cities across Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Since its inception in July 2011, the tour has served as a vital catalyst for the Korean Wave (Hallyu)—the global spread of South Korean culture. By taking the live experience of the KBS2 television show to the world, Music Bank has reached an estimated global live audience of 200,000 fans.
Key Facts
- Start Date: July 13, 2011
- Total Shows: 21 performances to date
- Global Reach: Hosted in Asia, Europe, and Latin America
- Estimated Attendance: 200,000 live viewers worldwide
- Primary Broadcaster: KBS (broadcast domestically on KBS2 and globally via KBS World)
The Evolution of the Tour
Music Bank is widely regarded as one of the most accessible major K-pop television shows, thanks to its domestic live broadcasts and global availability with subtitles on KBS World and YouTube. This accessibility created a massive international demand that the World Tour seeks to satisfy.
The tour has seen various phases of activity. After a successful run of early shows, the tour entered a two-year hiatus following the 2015 performance in Hanoi, Vietnam. It made a triumphant return in 2017, restarting with stops in Singapore and Jakarta.
A recurring face of the tour has been actor and singer Park Bo-gum. A former host of the domestic Music Bank show, Park has become a staple of the international events. As of 2025, he has hosted the world tour nine times.
![Actor and singer Park Bo-gum, a former host of Music Bank, has hosted the tour nine times as of 2025[2]](/images/dc/96/dc9628417b44659cdc02e5d31ac0171401d5c5243de3dd8aecbf3f7dce4d963f.png)
Tour History and Performers
The tour is known for its diverse lineups, often featuring a mix of legendary second-generation groups and the newest sensations of the fourth and fifth generations. From the early days of 2PM and Girls' Generation in Tokyo to the modern era of NewJeans and Stray Kids in Paris and Mexico City, the tour reflects the evolving landscape of K-pop.
The tour has visited a wide array of iconic venues, including the Tokyo Dome in Japan, the Paris La Défense Arena in France, and the Estadio Monumental David Arellano in Chile.
| Year | City | Country | Notable Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Tokyo | Japan | TVXQ, Girls' Generation, 2PM, Beast |
| 2012 | Paris | France | SHINee, T-ara, Sistar, 4Minute |
| 2014 | Mexico City | Mexico | BTS, Exo-K, Beast, Infinite |
| 2017 | Singapore | Singapore | BTS, Red Velvet, Mamamoo, SHINee |
| 2023 | Paris | France | Stray Kids, Enhypen, Ive, Mamamoo |
| 2024 | Madrid | Spain | Aespa, Riize, Nmixx, P1Harmony |
| 2026 | Barcelona | Spain | Ateez, Enhypen, Nmixx, NCT Wish |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Music Bank World Tour?
It is a worldwide live concert tour produced by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) that brings performers from the Music Bank music show to international cities.
Who is the most frequent host of the tour?
Actor and singer Park Bo-gum is the most frequent host, having emceed the tour nine times as of 2025.
Which regions has the tour visited?
The tour has staged performances across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, including countries such as Japan, France, Chile, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain.
How many people have attended the tour globally?
It is estimated that the Music Bank World Tour has attracted a global live audience of approximately 200,000 people.
When did the tour restart after its hiatus?
After a two-year break following the March 2015 show in Hanoi, the tour restarted in 2017 with performances in Singapore and Jakarta.