May marks festival season across Korean college campuses, and with it comes fierce competition to book the hottest acts in K-pop. As universities race to secure major headliners, financial pressures are mounting behind the scenes.
“I can’t help but compare which school is bringing in the bigger stars,” one student admitted. “I was honestly jealous when I heard aespa is performing at another school.”
The price tag for star power is steep. Landing a popular group for just a 30-minute set can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Here’s what universities are reportedly shelling out for major acts during the 2025 festival season:
2025 University Festival Performance Fees (30 minutes):
aespa – $29,600 to $37,000
IVE – $29,600 to $37,000
(G)I-DLE – $22,200 to $29,600
ITZY – $22,200 to $29,600
DAY6 – $29,600 to $37,000
MeloMance – $14,800 to $22,200
NMIXX – $22,200 to $29,600
Kwon Eun Bi – $14,800 to $22,200
AKMU (Akdong Musician) – $22,200 to $29,600
Zico – $22,200 to $29,600
With costs this high, some universities can’t handle the expense alone and are turning to external event agencies. Kyunghee University allocated 150 million KRW ($114,000 USD) through the government’s electronic procurement system for their spring festival, specifically requesting “one top-tier hip-hop artist” and “one top-tier idol group.”
Even state-run universities aren’t sitting this one out. Pukyong National University budgeted 190.9 million KRW, Seoul National University set aside 92 million KRW, and Korea National Sport University allocated 80 million KRW to secure high-caliber artists.
Meanwhile, the celebrity fever is creating security headaches as outsiders try to sneak onto campuses for performances. Online marketplaces and social media are flooded with posts offering to sell or trade student IDs and campus portal access. Scalping tickets for popular events are also on the rise.
To combat this, Korea National Sport University has set up special areas for fans hoping to snap photos with their idols, attempting to mitigate the crowds and keep things under control.
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