K‑pop’s rapid rise in the United States has reshaped music consumption patterns, fan culture, and even physical album sales. As more Americans listen to K‑pop in their vehicles, the structure and tempo of many popular tracks may be contributing to distracted driving, a factor already linked to hundreds of thousands of crashes each year. By examining demographic data, streaming trends, and song tempo, the study offers a detailed look at how listening habits intersect with road safety.
The growth of K‑pop has been remarkable. Spotify reports a global increase of more than 230 percent in K‑pop streams between 2018 and 2025. In 2024, K‑pop groups accounted for half of the top ten best‑selling physical albums in the United States. The genre’s influence extends into major entertainment milestones. In 2026, Rosé of BLACKPINK and the soundtrack for K-pop Demon Hunters became the first K‑pop artists and albums to receive Grammy nominations. These achievements reflect a broad and diverse audience that spans multiple generations.
One of the most striking findings in the study is the age distribution of listeners. Although KPop Demon Hunters was designed for children between 8 and 14 years old, Spotify data shows that adults make up the majority of its soundtrack’s audience. Listeners aged 35 to 44 account for 35 percent of plays, while those aged 25 to 34 make up 31 percent. Only 16 percent of listeners fall into the 18 to 24 range. Women and girls represent 55 percent of K‑pop listeners, compared to 45 percent for men and boys. These demographics matter because they help identify who is most likely to be listening to K‑pop while driving.
The study sourced from Jones & Swanson focuses on how specific K‑pop songs may influence driver behavior, with an emphasis on beats per minute, or BPM. Research from the Defensive Driving Institute shows that distracted driving contributed to about 400,000 crashes in the United States in 2024. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in‑vehicle distractions, including music, play a role in roughly 25 percent of all traffic accidents. In 2023, crashes involving distracted drivers resulted in 3,275 deaths. Sixty percent of drivers say that music affects how they drive.
Tempo plays a significant role in this relationship. A study from London Metropolitan University found that songs with a tempo above 120 BPM can cause drivers to accelerate by 10 to 20 miles per hour, break speed limits, or change lanes without warning. High‑energy tracks increase cognitive load, making it harder for drivers to maintain focus. Teen drivers between 15 and 19 years old are especially vulnerable to this type of distraction. Another study from University College London found that songs with lyrics reduce a driver’s ability to concentrate by up to 25 percent compared to instrumental tracks. Singing along adds another layer of distraction.
The study ranks K‑pop songs by danger level based on BPM. The most hazardous tracks include “Stunner” by Ten at 188 BPM and “Filter” by Jennie at 187 BPM. These tempos far exceed the threshold associated with increased accident risk. Even among the most-streamed K‑pop songs of 2025, nearly all exceed 100 BPM, a level that research suggests can meaningfully affect driver focus.
The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack also contains several high‑tempo tracks. Only two songs on the album fall within the moderate tempo range of 60 to 100 BPM, which some studies identify as the safest zone for driving. These safer tracks include “Your Idol” by Saja Boys at 90 BPM and “Path” by Jokers at 88 BPM. Among the top 15 most-streamed K‑pop songs of 2025, only one track, “Beautiful Strangers” by TXT, falls into this moderate range with a BPM of 87.
The study also highlights the broader implications of these findings. With K‑pop’s popularity continuing to grow, more drivers are likely to be listening to high‑tempo, lyrically dense music behind the wheel. NHTSA data shows that distractions such as in‑car music, contribute to an estimated 85 billion dollars in crash‑related costs each year. The 400,000 distracted driving crashes recorded in 2024 often involved rear‑end collisions, sideswipes, or sudden lane changes, all behaviors linked to cognitive overload.
The analysis sourced from Jones & Swanson does not suggest that drivers must avoid K‑pop entirely. Instead, it encourages awareness of how certain songs may influence driving behavior. Slower tracks around 60 BPM can help reduce anxiety and improve focus. Moderate tempo songs between 60 and 100 BPM may offer a safer listening experience. Drivers who enjoy K‑pop can make informed choices by selecting tracks that fall within these ranges.
The study also raises important questions about how entertainment habits intersect with road safety. As K‑pop continues to dominate charts and streaming platforms, its influence on driver behavior deserves attention. The data suggests that high‑tempo songs with emotionally charged lyrics may increase the risk of distraction, especially for younger drivers. With millions of Americans listening to K‑pop daily, understanding these risks is an important step toward safer roads.
