Jimin's birthday project featured in a media report on how K-pop presents opportunities for small business growth

K-pop has continuously established itself in the mainstream music market with its growing global popularity. It is making even more of an impact due to its fan culture that greatly varies from that of the western music market. K-pop idols' fans are known for their high loyalty and commitment levels, going all out in the most impressive ways to support and show their appreciation for their favorite idols. Such instances of fans organizing all kinds of projects for their idols include during birthdays, anniversaries, or any other day of significance to the fans and their idols. Oftentimes, such projects are set up in collaboration with different business entities, thereby greatly boosting these establishments' productivity for the duration of the projects, as well as increasing market awareness for the businesses following such events. 

Jimin, with his immense individual popularity, while also being a member of the most popular boy group in the world, is one such idol whose fans organize for different kinds of projects to show him their love, admiration, and support. For his 27th birthday in 2021, there were over 765 projects across the globe from fans, possibly the most number of birthday projects for any idol thus far. Many businesses have attested to the good returns they had after a Jimin birthday event was held with their involvement in any way.

This is why small businesses everywhere are now making accommodations to cater to this passion from fans for their idols, as reported on January 11th by Cronkite News, an Arizona PBS News division. According to the feature, it is easy to find locations to hold such events because they bring in customers to benefit the businesses.

In a news article speaking of how the K-pop phenomenon entices small businesses to cater to legions of energized fans, the article detailed one of Jimin's birthday support projects held in Cha Tea, a boba tea shop in Arizona.

Here, pictures of Jimin were plastered across nearly every square inch of its walls. The tables had coffee mugs, tote bags, T-shirts, jewelry, and other merchandise adorned with the faces, phrases, and symbols of Jimin, all for sale. BTS songs played from the speakers and the business was particularly selling special drinks created to celebrate Jimin’s birthday, called “Serendipity” and “Tony Montana” – two of BTS’s hit songs – and “Cutie Sexy Lovely,” Jimin’s self-bestowed nickname. Customers who would buy a drink at the shop would also receive 'a cup sleeve and usually some other freebies like photo cards or key chains'. As such, the business benefits from the sale of merchandise and the special drinks that are guaranteed to sell very fast.

The attendees here were of a diverse background, ranging from high school students to middle-aged mothers of all races and backgrounds, all of whom had gathered to celebrate Jimin's upcoming birthday. On this day, there were hundreds of people in Cha Tea, whereas the place is usually "quiet and drowsy even," as the article describes it. The article states that "a long, snaking line of fans outside Cha Tea could be seen from practically anywhere in the strip mall."

Jimin's birthday celebrations are always a good time of the year for businesses, as seen from this example. 

In fact, there are other instances where Jimin's birthday events got extended due to the huge economic impact experienced by the involved businesses, such as the Konkuk University Common Ground project that turned into a 'Serendipity' themed park for his birthday.

The exclusive customized airplane birthday project in collaboration with Jeju air also saw many fans, and K-Netz attracted to travel using the airline. Other projects such as in Ukraine, Bolivia, and Indonesia also showed huge crowds gathered to celebrate his birthday, showing his impact.

Jimin's immeasurable popularity coupled with his loyal and devoted fans has been a source of great fortune to businesses.