The K‑pop fans dreaming of gigs closer to home

K‑pop has become a global music phenomenon with its blend of catchy melodies, high‑energy choreography and carefully-crafted idol groups.

Once a regional genre, it has grown into a huge industry with fans spanning every continent.

However, its followers in Scotland have expressed frustration that major tours often come no closer than London.

Many of them end up travelling hundreds of miles for a single night's show - and dream of a day when the industry better recognises the audience waiting for gigs a bit closer to home.

When Glasgow teacher Laura McKee turned on Netflix one evening, she had no idea it would spark her new passion.

"I was going through a really stressful time at work," she said.

"Netflix started a Chinese drama automatically, and I got absolutely hooked."

That chance viewing led Laura, 37, into Chinese dramas, then Korean dramas and eventually K‑pop.

Laura's favourite group is Stray Kids, whose sound she says echoes the music she loved growing up.

The mother-of-two said: "When I was younger, I loved browsing record shops.

"Opening the CD, reading messages from the artist, the album told a story.

"K‑pop brings that back."

She added that discovering K‑culture helped her reconnect with herself.

"It reminded me that I'm still a person, not just a mum or a worker," she said.

"I can enjoy things just because they're fun."

Last summer, she travelled to London with her daughter to see Stray Kids at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium.

It was her daughter's first concert and she described it as "magical".

They are now learning Hangul, the Korean alphabet, together.

"It opens you up to new cultures and learning," she said.

"It makes you more tolerant, and that's no bad thing."

Despite growing enthusiasm, Laura said Scottish fans were often overlooked by touring artists.

"It's frustrating that K‑pop groups never tour in Scotland," she said.

"We always have to travel to London, and it costs a lot."

She added Scotland has venues capable of hosting major concerts.

"We've got Murrayfield, Hampden, artists could come here," she said.

"If they did, we'd spend more on merch and fan experiences instead of travel."

Daniela Sanchez said she listened to K‑pop daily but joining her university's K‑pop society made it more meaningful.

The Glasgow-based student said: "It's made it a lot more social."

"We meet up, talk about new releases, play games and just hang out.

"It's a really nice way to make friends."

She believes K‑pop resonates with Scottish fans for the same reasons it does globally.

"The music is catchy and high quality, but there's also a strong sense of community," she said.

"People identify with the artists and enjoy the experience together.

"People shouldn't judge it too quickly. At the end of the day, it's just music, and if it makes someone happy, that's enough."

At the University of the West of Scotland, Marlene Asare and Carly Chan run the K‑pop Society.

They say it offers joy and connection.

"K‑pop gives happy vibes," said Marlene.

"When I'm studying or bored, I listen to it, sometimes I dance."

Carly said: "I love the choreography and hearing different languages.

"It always makes me feel excited."

They said K‑pop's international nature was a huge part of its appeal.

"It's multi‑language," Marlene explained.

"And when idols try to speak your language, it feels really special."

But, like Laura and Daniela, the UWS students are frustrated by the lack of Scottish tour dates, particularly for BTS.

The group, who recently launched their comeback after completing mandatory military service, who are playing two sold-out shows in London this summer.

Carly said: "BTS are loved in Scotland.

"We want them to come here."