KIM YUN-JI: "K-Music Is Becoming a New Set of Rules for the Global Music Industry" — MU:CON 2026 Opens

[Financial News] Korea Creative Content Agency President Kim Yun-ji analyzed that "K-music is no longer waiting for recognition from existing markets and is becoming a new set of rules for the global music industry on its own."

At the opening ceremony of the 2026 Global Music Fair, held at the CUBE Convention Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul, on the 2nd, Kim said, "We have studied and analyzed the achievements of K-content based on data." She added, "K-content viewed through data is more than just culture; it is South Korea's most powerful economic pillar." Kim, a former senior researcher at the Korea Eximbank's Overseas Economic Research Institute, has long studied the economic impact and export competitiveness of the content industry.
She assessed, "K-music is moving beyond a small number of core fandoms to secure worldwide popularity and is opening a new route toward broader waters." She continued, "Its genre spectrum is expanding beyond K-pop to include hip-hop, R&B and electronic music, while the industry's base is broadening as the indie scene and band ecosystem grow stronger."
She emphasized, "The way domestic artists, including BTS, confidently express their voices without being bound by existing systems and pursue their own paths is highly symbolic." She added, "This means K-music is no longer waiting for recognition from existing markets but is becoming a new set of rules for the global music industry on its own."
Kim stated, "The Korea Creative Content Agency will serve as a compass helping domestic musicians and music companies navigate safely and successfully on the journey toward an era of a 400 trillion won K-culture market and $110 billion in content exports."

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, MU:CON is a global music market that supports domestic musicians and music and entertainment companies seeking to expand overseas while providing industry professionals from Korea and abroad with opportunities for business and networking. Launched in 2012, it is marking its 15th edition this year.
Kim explained, "MU:CON is a business platform that turns the potential of domestic musicians into tangible overseas expansion." She added, "More than 700 domestic musicians have been introduced to global markets through MU:CON so far."
She cited Se So Neon, Jambinai, Silica Gel and Glen Check as examples of acts that expanded their overseas activities after participating in MU:CON. Se So Neon has held world tours in North America and Europe, while Jambinai has performed at major global music festivals including Glastonbury Festival and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Silica Gel has toured major Asian cities, and Glen Check has been invited to South by Southwest in the United States and Summer Sonic Festival in Japan.
Kim said, "We will listen to voices from the field and provide support in various ways so that the efforts of Korea's music industry lead to tangible results." She added, "We will build a more comprehensive business-matching and networking system so that promising domestic musicians and music companies can meet global music industry professionals."

This year's MU:CON will introduce a fusion-matching program for the first time to broaden the reach of the music industry. Beyond consultations between musicians and companies, the program will invite advertising, gaming and brand-marketing professionals to explore collaborations and new business opportunities using music intellectual property. Pitching sessions will also allow participating musicians and companies to introduce their businesses and brands.
Forty-two acts from diverse genres will participate in the global showcase, including SAY MY NAME, CLASS:y, KIIRAS, Sanmanhan Siseon, HAJIN, Kkachisan, Gogo Hak, Rothy, Stella Jang, sEODo BAND and KARDI. W24, Band Nah, Redoor and Shim Island, which previously participated in Muse On, as well as this year's participants Jeong Su-min, Eddie and the Bricks and Oysters, will also take the stage.
The showcases will be held on two stages inside the CUBE Convention Center from the 2nd to the 3rd, before moving outdoors to Yongsan Children's Garden in Yongsan District, Seoul, on the 4th. The performances will be livestreamed on the official KOKA Music YouTube channel.

A conference examining key issues in the music industry and changes in global markets will be held from the 2nd to the 4th at the CUBE Convention Center in Sangam-dong.
Singer and producer KIM JAE JOONG delivered a keynote speech at the event on the 2nd, titled "From Superstar to Architect of K-Music's New Ecosystem."
KIM JAE JOONG, founder of iNKODE Entertainment, identified selecting and validating markets with limited capital and personnel, deciding where to allocate budgets, and determining when to stop spending as key challenges for small and midsize entertainment companies.
He stressed that "the most dangerous idea is to imitate a major agency's strategy with a small budget" and said companies must design their target markets, fan preferences and revenue models from the outset. He continued that small and midsize companies must compete through rapid decision-making and the ability to pivot rather than capital, adding, "They must be able to fail cheaply and try again quickly."
He called on the government to establish infrastructure that reduces the cost of failure, including connections to local partners, legal and tax advice, and data-based systems for sharing lessons from failed ventures.
The conference will also take an in-depth look at India, which is emerging as a new global hub for K-music.
On the final day, the 4th, an MWM conference will be held in partnership with the Korea Pop Music Industry Association. Tony Lee, co-founder of ACRCloud, a music-recognition technology company, and Dora Jin, a senior executive at Tencent Music Entertainment Group, will lead open sessions and panel discussions on the music industry in the age of artificial intelligence transformation (AX) and AI-generated music.

[email protected] Shin Jin-ah Reporter