After 13 years on air, Arirang has canceled Simply K-Pop CON-TOUR, one of the longest-running English-language music shows in the industry. The final episode aired July 25, 2025, closing the curtain on the music show that helped launch dozens of rookie K-pop acts into the spotlight.
Distributed worldwide via Arirang TV, Simply K-pop offered nugu (smaller or lesser-known) groups an audience they wouldn’t have reached on their own. It also gave rookie idols opportunities to guest host, participate in fan Q&As, and build their on-screen presence. This gave these smaller groups a lifeline in an industry that runs on charisma and visibility as much as talent.
Why Did It End?
Arirang hasn’t released a statement explaining why they pulled the plug, but signs point to a combination of declining viewership and cost-cutting. The network also canceled After School Club, another show created for global K-pop fans. These decisions suggest Arirang is moving away from K-pop programming at the moment, especially when the returns are no longer what they used to be.
There’s also the matter of changing fan behavior. Music shows across the board are losing relevance thanks to TikTok and agencies self-producing content for YouTube.
How This Affects Nugu Groups
At first glance, the cancellation of Simply K-pop might not seem like a big deal. Bigger groups and acts signed to the Top 4 agencies (SM, HYBE, JYP, and YG) won’t be affected because they already have dedicated fanbases, familiarity with the general public, and name recognition.
For nugu idols who don’t have any of those things, it’s a disaster. The end of Simply K-pop strips away one of the few remaining “equalizers” in an industry that already favors established acts. A lot of the idol groups that are popular now (think GOT7 or even BTS) were able to build an international fandom thanks to Arirang’s global reach.
Without it, those pathways narrow for artists who can’t appear on shows like M Countdown and Inkigayo or afford to tour and promote outside of Korea.
Is Anything Replacing It?
You might’ve seen episodes of Simply K-pop streaming live on Korea.net’s YouTube channel, the South Korean government’s official cultural portal. Those episodes are from a new project called Simply K-pop: Gateway to Korea, which streams digital-first content aimed at international fans. It’s inspired by the old show but features different hosts, a new format, and a narrower focus on tourism-friendly promotion.
On the July 25th episode, host Lee Daewhi said that the August 1st episode would be the last show for the rest of the year (skip to 46:57). Again, this isn’t the same Simply K-Pop CON-TOUR that aired on Arirang.
Arirang also has a show called SPOTLIGHT Rookies, a behind-the-scenes program spotlighting newer idol groups.
Other music shows like THE SHOW and SHOW CHAMPION still give rookies a shot, though these shows don’t air as consistently as the other music programs. These two will randomly go on hiatus, which gives smaller groups fewer opportunities to promote their music. There’s also ENA KPOP UP CHART SHOW, a monthly music chart show that showcases smaller to mid-tier groups.
While there aren’t as many platforms dedicated to nugu groups as there were a decade ago, it’s not all doom and gloom. Having a handful of shows that give these idols some exposure is better than nothing, and hopefully Simply K-pop: Gateway to Korea will return next year.
