Kakao Entertainment teams up with Atlantic Music Group to expand K-pop globally

Korean entertainment company Kakao Entertainment has tied a strategic partnership with U.S.-based Atlantic Music Group (AMG) to support the global growth of K-pop artists, the Korean company said Wednesday.

The two companies will collaborate across a range of areas, from developing global strategies to music production, distribution, marketing and promotion.

“The partnership brings together a Korean entertainment company with a strong foothold in K-pop and a North American entertainment company with extensive expertise in the global music market to jointly develop global strategies for K-pop artists from the earliest stages,” Kakao Entertainment said in a press release.

Kakao Entertainment plans to combine its expertise across the K-pop industry — from music intellectual property (IP) development and production to distribution, artist management, marketing and fan engagement — with AMG’s artists and repertoire, marketing and promotion capabilities and global network.

By combining their strengths, they aim to create new opportunities for K-pop artists across multiple areas of their global activities, starting from the early stages of their global expansion.

“This partnership is significant in that it brings together the full capabilities of both companies to jointly identify the potential of K-pop artists and IP and expand their presence in the global market,” Kakao Entertainment said. “Building on our respective expertise and networks, we will broaden the ways K-pop connects with its global fandom and continue to expand its global influence.”

Kakao Entertainment, an entertainment subsidiary of Kakao, was established in 2021. The company operates in a wide range of entertainment sectors, including webtoon and web novel distribution, music production and distribution, artist management, and the production of television series, films and entertainment shows.

Its music division includes labels such as Edam Entertainment, home to singer-songwriter IU, and Starship Entertainment, home to girl group IVE and boy band Monsta X.

AMG is under Warner Music Group and oversees a number of labels, including Atlantic Records, 10K Projects and 300 Entertainment. Atlantic Records is known for recording artists such as Bruno Mars, Charli xcx and Coldplay. Blackpink’s Rosé also signed with Atlantic Records in 2024. 

BY KIM JI-YE [[email protected]]