This chart will analyze global K-pop trends based on user activity.
This agreement marks a significant step in expanding K-pop's influence in Asian markets.
[TV Daily Kim Ji-ha Reporter] Kakao Entertainment has announced a strategic partnership with Tencent Music and Line Music to further expand the global reach of K-pop.
Kakao Entertainment (co-CEOs Kwon Ki-soo and Jang Yoon-jung) revealed that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tencent Music to integrate the usage data from Tencent's QQ Music, KUGOU Music, KUWO Music, JOOX, and Line Music in Japan to launch the 'K-Pop Artist Chart' in the Melon platform. This chart is expected to become a significant milestone in the global K-pop music industry.
The 'K-Pop Artist Chart' will objectively reflect user activity and usage patterns, aiming for a mid-2026 launch on Melon. Through this, users can easily track K-pop trends across major Asian markets, providing valuable insights for artists and labels in their strategic planning.
Tencent Music operates the influential streaming services QQ Music, KUGOU Music, KUWO Music, and JOOX in China and Southeast Asia, while Melon, operated by Kakao Entertainment, is the leading music platform in South Korea, playing a pivotal role in the K-pop scene. Melon's data is utilized for key events, including the Melon Music Awards (MMA), and it continues to expand K-pop's global influence.
Line Music is noted for providing a music experience linked to the 'LINE' communication app, which has 99 million users in Japan. Kakao Entertainment's CEO Jang Yoon-jung expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with leading Asian companies to create a unified global K-pop chart, stating that it will add new value to the K-pop market.
This agreement holds significant implications for the globalization of K-pop. Both Tencent Music and Line Music possess vast user bases in China and Japan, respectively, making this collaboration crucial for expanding K-pop's impact in these major Asian markets. Additionally, by integrating data from these platforms, the K-Pop Artist Chart will provide a more objective analysis of K-pop trends, fostering a clearer understanding of the genre's dynamics.
It is notable that Melon, which has long established a foundation in South Korea, is now strengthening its connections with Asian markets. Through Melon, Kakao Entertainment aims to set a new standard in the global music industry, offering K-pop greater opportunities for recognition and growth. Fans will have a fair opportunity to compare the achievements of artists from different countries through this chart.
The potential to maximize K-pop's popularity in Asian markets is significant, positioning this initiative as a pivotal moment. Reflecting the activities of K-pop artists in countries with robust fandom cultures will provide more challenges and opportunities, potentially allowing K-pop to establish itself as part of global charts.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: Kakao Entertainment
