A new analysis from Jones & Swanson highlights a surprising and fast‑growing roadway risk. K‑pop, one of the most streamed and purchased genres in the United States, may be contributing to distracted driving at levels that mirror other well‑known hazards. The study examines how tempo, lyrical content, and listener demographics intersect with driver behavior, and the findings point to a clear pattern. Many of the genre’s most popular songs are built on high‑energy beats that can push drivers into unsafe speeds, sudden lane changes, and delayed reactions.
The research arrives at a time when K‑pop’s influence in the U.S. is at an all‑time high. Spotify reports a global increase of more than 230 percent in K‑pop streams between 2018 and 2025. In 2024, half of the top ten best‑selling physical albums in the country came from K‑pop groups. The genre’s reach is no longer limited to teens. The soundtrack to the hit film KPop Demon Hunters shows that older listeners are driving much of the demand.
Who Is Listening Behind the Wheel
Jones & Swanson’s study highlights a demographic shift that matters for road safety. Spotify data for the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack shows:
- 35 percent of listeners are ages 35 to 44
- 31 percent are ages 25 to 34
- 16 percent are ages 18 to 24
Women and girls make up the majority of listeners at 55 percent, compared to 45 percent male listeners.
This broad age distribution means a large portion of adult drivers are consuming K‑pop during their commutes, errands, and long‑distance travel. With the genre’s signature fast tempos, that creates a measurable risk.
Why Music Tempo Matters on the Road
The study draws on several established data sources to explain how music affects driving behavior.
Key findings include:
- The Defensive Driving Institute attributes 400,000 U.S. crashes in 2024 to distracted driving.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 25 percent of all traffic accidents involve in‑vehicle distractions, including music.
- 3,275 people died in 2023 in crashes involving distracted drivers.
- 60 percent of drivers admit that music influences how they drive.
- A London Metropolitan University study found that songs over 120 BPM increase the likelihood of:
- Accelerating by 10 to 20 MPH
- Breaking speed limits
- Sudden lane switching
- Loud or fast music can reduce reaction time by up to 20 percent, a risk level comparable to driving over the legal alcohol limit.
- University College London research shows that lyrical music reduces a driver’s ability to focus on emerging hazards by up to 25 percent.
Taken together, the data suggests that high‑tempo, lyric‑heavy music creates a layered distraction. Drivers are not only processing fast beats but also engaging with words, often by singing along.
The Most Dangerous K‑pop Songs by BPM
Jones & Swanson’s study ranks K‑pop tracks by beats per minute to determine which songs pose the highest risk. While the full list includes more than 100 songs, the two most dangerous tracks identified are:
- Stunner by Ten at 188 BPM
- Filter by Jennie at 187 BPM
Both songs fall far above the 120 BPM threshold associated with increased speeding and erratic driving.
The study also identifies the most dangerous tracks from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, which is widely streamed by adults and teens alike.
What Safe Tempo Looks Like
Research suggests that music between 60 and 100 BPM supports calmer, more attentive driving. Only two songs from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack fall into this safer range:
- Your Idol by Saja Boys at 90 BPM
- Path (오솔길) by Jokers at 88 BPM
Among the top 15 most‑streamed K‑pop songs of 2025, only one track fits the moderate tempo category:
- Beautiful Strangers by TXT with 101.6 million streams and a BPM of 87
Every other top‑streamed song exceeds 100 BPM, placing them in the range associated with higher distraction.
Why This Matters for U.S. Drivers
K‑pop’s popularity is not slowing down. With half of all physical album sales in 2024 coming from the genre and millions of daily streams, many American drivers are listening to high‑tempo K‑pop during routine travel. The study’s data shows that this listening habit can influence speed, reaction time, and lane control.
NHTSA estimates that distractions like in‑car music contribute to $85 billion in crash‑related costs each year. With 400,000 distracted driving crashes in 2024 alone, even small behavioral shifts linked to music choice can have large consequences.
The Bottom Line
The study from Jones & Swanson makes one point clear. K‑pop’s energetic sound may be perfect for workouts and concerts, but behind the wheel it can create real risks. Drivers who enjoy the genre may want to avoid the highest‑BPM tracks and opt for moderate‑tempo songs instead. The data shows that even small adjustments in listening habits can reduce distraction and improve safety.
