The Economics of Okay-pop – half 12: Music Streaming Providers in South Korea – Music Enterprise Analysis

The Economics of Okay-pop – half 12: Music Streaming Providers in South Korea – Music Enterprise Analysis

by | Jul 20, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News


The worldwide success of Okay-pop wouldn’t be potential with no robust home music market. Sooner than in different nations, highly effective home music streaming providers have been in a position to set up themselves in South Korea, working intently with Okay-pop corporations and even being financially managed by them. Nevertheless, as we noticed partly 2 of this collection, international streaming providers – led by YouTube Music and Spotify – have managed to determine themselves within the South Korean market in recent times. To conclude this weblog collection on the economics of Okay-pop, we due to this fact need to take a better take a look at the 5 most necessary music streaming providers in South Korea.

The Economics of Okay-pop – half 12: Music Streaming Providers in South Korea

MelOn

The longtime market chief within the South Korean music streaming market was MelOn, a reputation derived from Melody On. MelOn was launched on 16 November 2004 by the Korean cell community operator SK Telecom as an all-you-can-eat MP3 obtain portal for KRW 3,000 to five,000 per thirty days. MelOn was an immediate success and, only one month after its launch, was already attracting a mean of 10,000 customers per day.[1]

In 2005, SK Telecom acquired a 43.3 per cent stake in YBM Seoul Information for the equal of US $12.6 million.[2] Seoul Information was based in 1978 by Min Yeong-bin as a file label and artist administration company, working as a subsidiary of Sisa English, a producer of language studying cassettes, and was renamed YBM Seoul Information in 2000.[3] In 2008, YBM Seoul Information was renamed LOEN Leisure.[4] A 12 months later, the music distribution platform MelOn was additionally built-in into LOEN.[5]

This label and company conglomerate, which was additionally listed on the Seoul Inventory Alternate, caught the eye of one in every of Asia’s largest non-public fairness companies, Affinity Fairness Companions, which acquired a 52.56 per cent stake in LOEN in July 2013 by its Hong Kong subsidiary Star Make investments, thereby decreasing SK Telecom’s stake in LOEN to fifteen per cent.[6] In December of that very same 12 months, Star Make investments additionally acquired the 8.83 per cent stake that RealNetworks held in LOEN, thereby growing Star Make investments’s stake in LOEN to greater than 60 per cent.[7] With monetary backing from Star Make investments, LOEN was in a position to purchase a 70 per cent stake within the Okay-pop group Starship Leisure in December 2013.[8]

The massive coup, nevertheless, was the takeover of LOEN by Kakao Company in January 2016 for the equal of US $1.64 billion.[9] Consequently, LOEN grew to become a part of one in every of South Korea’s largest web and leisure teams. Kakao has its roots within the web messenger KakaoTalk, which was launched in 2006 by Kim Bum-soo.[10] This grew into a bunch that now contains, amongst others, an internet fee service (Kakao Pay), an web financial institution (Kakao Financial institution), a video games developer (Kakao Video games) and a taxi service (Kakao Mobility).[11]

One in all Kakao’s largest enterprise divisions was LOEN, which was renamed Kakao M in 2018, with “M” standing for MelOn, music and media[12] and thus referred to the three divisions of the corporate: (1) the MelOn music streaming service, (2) the Music Content material Firm, comprising the labels acquired by LOEN through the years, the ticketing platform MelOn Ticket and the Okay-pop company 1theK, and (3) the Video Content material Firm.[13] Nevertheless, in March 2021, the corporate construction was modified as soon as once more when Kakao M merged with the digital content material platform Kakao Web page, which permits customers to create their very own movies, audio recordsdata and fictional texts.[14] A part of the merger additionally concerned the combination of MelOn into the brand new firm, Kakao Leisure, which now combines music manufacturing and rights administration with MelOn’s music distribution. On the time of the merger, MelOn had 33 million lively customers and 5 million paying subscribers.[15] As we now have already seen, this made MelOn the biggest music streaming service in South Korea.

Nevertheless, this modified with elevated competitors from overseas. Shortly after Spotify’s market entry on 1 February 2021, the primary showdown befell. Spotify eliminated all Okay-pop tracks from Kakao Leisure’s (then nonetheless referred to as Kakao M) catalogue from its platform worldwide, as the 2 events have been unable to achieve an settlement on a licensing deal. The boycott was, nevertheless, short-lived, as Kakao and Spotify reached a licensing deal as early as March 2021, bringing the Okay-pop repertoire again to Spotify.[16]

One may dismiss the battle as a storm in a teacup have been it not for the truth that it highlights the weak place of Korean streaming providers in relation to the worldwide market leaders. MelOn and its rivals owe their success primarily to Okay-pop, however they have been unable to compete with the worldwide repertoire important for a profitable music streaming service for a very long time.

Genie Music

Genie Music, with 2.57 million lively customers per thirty days, is South Korea’s second-largest home music streaming service. Genie has its roots within the music division of Bluecord Know-how, a Korean tech agency based as early as 1991 that has additionally diversified into the leisure and media sectors.[17] Initially, Genie Music’s predecessor was concerned in music manufacturing and file distribution in South Korea. In 2000, it additionally acquired a serious music publishing firm by the takeover of Doremi Media Co. Within the mid-2000s, Muz.co.kr – the nation’s main music obtain platform – was launched,[18] which was to turn into the nucleus of the Genie Music streaming service.

In 2007, KT Freetel Co., one in every of South Korea’s largest telecommunications corporations, acquired a 35.28 per cent stake in Bluecord Know-how and spun off the music division as an impartial firm beneath the title KTF Music. In 2009, KT Company and KTF merged to type KT Music.[19]

In 2012, KT Music acquired KMP Holdings, Korea’s largest music distributor, which marketed the productions of Okay-pop giants SM Leisure, YG Leisure and JYP Leisure.[20] This led to the combination of digital music operations with bodily music gross sales, which triggered a pointy surge in development due to the booming Okay-pop business.

In March 2017, LG U+, South Korea’s third-largest telecommunications firm, acquired a 15 per cent stake in KT Music, which was subsequently renamed Genie Music.[21] By means of this strategic partnership, the Genie Music app has been bundled with additional cell and broadband providers. Moreover, Genie Music has been efficiently built-in into the infotainment methods of the South Korean automobile producers Kia and Hyundai,[22] which additional expanded the person base.

In October 2018, Genie Music merged with CJ Digital Music, a subsidiary of the South Korean leisure and media conglomerate CJ ENM, which thereby acquired a 15.35 per cent stake within the new firm.[23] In April 2025, following an inner restructuring, it was renamed KT Genie Music Company. KT Genie Music Company is a publicly listed music group that owns quite a few music catalogues, is lively in music manufacturing and distribution, and operates a serious music streaming service.[24] Nevertheless, regardless of partnerships with Tidal, Anghami, Tencent Music, Huawei Music and TikTok, Genie Music failed to realize a foothold internationally.[25] Additional, the Okay-pop enterprise remained Genie Music’s principal income, which restricted its development potential and resulted in a decline in market share in South Korea.

FLO

The music streaming service FLO, which is owned by the Seoul-based Dreamus Firm, is dealing with related issues. Dreamus Firm has its roots in ReignCom, which was based in 1999 by Yang Deok-joon and 6 different former Samsung engineers to fabricate a transportable CD participant able to storing MP3 music recordsdata.[26] The primary gadgets have been launched in November 2000 and proved such a success that the Korean tech start-up additionally attracted consideration from overseas. ReignCom due to this fact entered right into a partnership with SonicBlue, an organization primarily based in Santa Clara, California, which had beforehand launched the Rio MP3 participant on the US market beneath the title Diamond Multimedia. ReignCom then started manufacturing transportable CD gamers with built-in MP3 gamers for the American market as properly, which have been bought beneath the Rio model.[27]

Nevertheless, SonicBlue went into administration in 2002, leaving ReignCom with no distribution accomplice within the US as a result of the Finest Purchase chain refused to promote a South Korean no-name product with out the Rio model. In June 2002, following protracted negotiations, Finest Purchase lastly agreed to inventory ReignCom merchandise within the US, supplied the corporate might develop an MP3 participant geared up with a high-capacity flash reminiscence stick by September of that 12 months. Yang Deok-joon and his group rose to the problem and, in August 2002, offered Finest Purchase executives with a tool able to storing no less than 30 songs. This was a technical breakthrough, and ReignCom emerged as the primary challenger to Apple’s iPod, securing a 20 per cent market share within the US.[28] In South Korea, ReignCom was already the market chief in MP3 gamers and was in a position to checklist on the Seoul Inventory Alternate in 2003.[29]

Nevertheless, the optimism at ReignCom quickly evaporated. Losses had already been reported for the 2005 and 2006 monetary years, which had a detrimental affect on the share worth. On this already troublesome financial local weather, the information of Apple’s launch of the iPhone in the summertime of 2007 got here as a crushing blow. Actually in a single day, the marketplace for MP3 gamers had turn into out of date. The iPhone started to cannibalise the MP3 participant market. For 2009, ReignCom reported an working lack of KRW 23.9 billion (US$21 million). In response, ReignCom’s total administration group was changed and the corporate was restructured as iRiver Ltd. as a way to embark on a strategic recent begin.[30]

Nevertheless, this didn’t succeed. The brand new e-book readers and e-dictionaries bought poorly, and a smartphone and a pill – supposed as rivals to Apple’s equivalents – by no means made it to market.[31] Consequently, iRiver’s share worth plummeted by nearly 65 per cent between 2010 and 2012.[32] This stoop made traders nervous, and rumours of a takeover quickly started to accentuate. In June 2014, the second lastly arrived. SK Telecom, South Korea’s largest telecommunications group, bought a block of shares value KRW 29.5 billion from iRiver’s largest shareholder, Vogo-Rio Funding Holdings, and have become the principle shareholder with a stake of round 40 per cent.[33] Following its takeover by SK Telecom, iRiver underwent a elementary restructuring. The main target shifted from music {hardware} to music content material. Consequently, in January 2015, Music Mate – a music streaming service initially supposed as a radio streaming service for cell gadgets – was launched.[34] That modified in July 2017 when SM Leisure, one of many largest Okay-pop conglomerates, grew to become iRiver’s second-largest shareholder.[35] SM Leisure recognised the potential of the streaming platform, and so forth 31 January 2018, a deal was struck between SK Telecom on the one hand and the three Okay-pop corporations – SM Leisure, JYP Leisure and Large Hit Leisure – on the opposite, to create a B2B and B2C music service platform by which the three corporations might distribute their music content material.[36] To this finish, Music Mate was utterly revamped and launched on 11 December 2018 beneath the brand new model title FLO.[37]

Subsequently, iRiver was reorganised into Dreamus Firm, which now comprised two enterprise models: the music streaming service FLO and iRiver’s high-end audio participant division.[38] The following restructuring befell in 2021, after SK Telecom had transferred all its non-telecoms investments to SK Sq. Funding. This additionally affected Dreamus Firm, with its streaming service FLO, which now grew to become a part of SK Sq..[39] It was to turn into obvious that this was merely an interim step and that, following sustained losses within the audio participant division, Dreamus bought this division to Miwang Firm for KRW 5 billion in December 2024,[40] to place itself as a pure music service platform for Okay-pop. This marked the symbolic conclusion to an extended historical past during which a market chief in MP3 gamers, beneath the management of a telecommunications group, had advanced right into a music streaming service focusing totally on Okay-pop.

Bugs Music and Naver VIBE

Alongside MelOn, Genie Music and FLO, the music streaming providers Bugs Music and Naver VIBE additionally play a major position within the South Korean streaming market. Bugs Music is the nation’s oldest music streaming service and was based in Seoul in November 1999 by Park Sung-hoon beneath the title Tremendous Sound Bugs.[41] To avoid the copyright points related to a music obtain platform, Bugs was arrange as a music streaming platform, however with out coming into into any licensing agreements with the rights holders.[42]

With 16 million registered customers, Bugs rapidly grew to turn into the nation’s largest music platform and secured KRW 1.5 billion in enterprise capital to fund its enlargement.[43] Nevertheless, South Korean music labels prevented this enlargement from going forward. In February 2003, 32 labels filed a lawsuit in opposition to Bugs Music for copyright infringement.[44]

In August 2004, Bugs Music tried to calm the state of affairs by signing a licensing take care of the Korean IFPI (Recording Business Affiliation of Korea, RIAK), which allowed the streaming service to stream 58,000 songs by way of the platform. Nevertheless, this was solely a fraction of the 270,000 recordsdata that Bugs Music had made accessible for streaming, which additionally originated from smaller indie labels. The South Korean music majors – Warner Music Korea, Sony Music Korea, SM Leisure, Yedang Leisure and YBM Seoul Information – opposed the settlement and maintained their authorized motion in opposition to Bugs Music and its founder.[45]

In January 2005, the showdown befell at a district courtroom in Seoul. The main labels prevailed, and the courtroom discovered Bugs Music and its founder responsible of mass copyright infringement. Park Sung-hoon was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay damages of KRW 20 million (US$19,900).[46] In the long run, Park Sung-hoon bought off evenly, however in March 2005 he was pressured to step down as managing director of Bugs and promote his 60 per cent stake within the firm to a South Korean label consortium led by Yedang Information.[47]

In December 2008, Bugs Music was acquired by Neowiz Web Corp., a subsidiary of South Korea’s largest video games developer, Neowiz Company, with a view to merging it with the music obtain platform JukeOn – which had been in operation since April 2004 – and persevering with to function it beneath the Bugs model.[48] Underneath Neowiz’s management, Bugs Music rose to turn into South Korea’s second-largest music streaming supplier and attracted the curiosity of NHN Company, which had been based in 1999 as a video games developer beneath the title Hangame and merged in July 2000 with Naver, South Korea’s largest search engine – South Korea’s Google.[49] In August 2015, NHN Corp. acquired Neowiz Web, together with Bugs Music, with a view to persevering with the brand new division as NHN Bugs.[50]

With the backing of its new proprietor, Bugs was in a position to press forward with its enlargement. In August 2016, it acquired a 53.9 per cent stake within the South Korean music streaming service Groovers and, a month later, secured 70 per cent of the shares within the administration company HOW Leisure, which had Okay-pop star Hwang Chi-yeol beneath contract, amongst others.[51] Consequently, Bugs Music shifted its focus from the B2C to the B2B music enterprise and misplaced market share within the South Korean streaming market within the years that adopted.

Nevertheless, competitors additionally got here from throughout the group itself. Since 2009, Naver.com had been working the music service Naver Music, which had initially been launched as a obtain portal. In 2017, Naver Music entered right into a strategic partnership with YG Plus, a subsidiary of the Okay-pop group YG Leisure, to distribute Okay-pop songs.[52] Nevertheless, Naver Music was by no means in a position to meet up with the market chief, MelOn, and so in 2020 the mum or dad firm merged its music service with VIBE, an AI-based music streaming service.[53] That marked the top of Naver’s music obtain enterprise, and from then on the web group centered completely on music streaming.[54]

As we now have already seen, Naver.com is a part of NHN Holdings, that means that two music streaming providers now function beneath the NHN umbrella: Naver VIBE and Bugs Music. Nevertheless, each streaming platforms play solely a minor position within the South Korean music streaming market. This most likely additionally explains Naver.com’s announcement in November 2025 that it could be incorporating Spotify’s Premium service into the Naver Plus Membership programme, as a way to grant subscribers entry to Spotify’s huge music catalogue.[55] This marks the beginning of a partnership by which Spotify might additional strengthen its place within the Korean market, while on the identical time posing a problem to NHN/Naver’s music streaming providers.

An evaluation of South Korean music streaming providers reveals, on the one hand, their shut hyperlinks to the telecommunications and web sectors and, on the opposite, their interdependence with Okay-pop conglomerates. The rise of MelOn, Genie Music and FLO to turn into the nation’s main music streaming providers is due, firstly, to the bundling of those providers with cell phone contracts supplied by main telecoms equivalent to SK Telecom and KT Freetel Firm, and secondly, to their collaboration with Okay-pop corporations. MelOn even owns a Okay-pop company itself – Starship Leisure – and is a subsidiary of Kakao Company, which in flip is firmly rooted within the Okay-pop enterprise. Genie Music has shut ties to the so-called ‘Large Three’ of the Okay-pop business: SM, YP and JYP Leisure. SM Leisure additionally holds a stake within the music streaming service FLO. Lastly, it’s value mentioning the streaming service Naver VIBE, which was launched in cooperation with a subsidiary of the Okay-pop firm YP Leisure.

This shut hyperlink to the Okay-pop business is each a blessing and a burden for South Korean music streaming providers. They’ve been in a position to develop quickly due to the worldwide Okay-pop growth, however are additionally depending on the success of this music style. South Korean streaming platforms have failed to realize a sustainable foothold internationally and now face stiff competitors from international rivals equivalent to YouTube and Spotify, which have managed to seize market share in South Korea in a really brief house of time. YouTube has even risen to turn into the nation’s main music streaming service. As makes an attempt to fend off this competitors have thus far failed, South Korean music streaming platforms are actually in search of to collaborate with their international rivals, though this carries the danger of being dominated by them.

Endnotes

[1] Yang, Hyung-wook. 2004. SK’s MP3 music portal exhibits indicators of being a smash hit. Monetary Information, 14 December. https://n.information.naver.com/article/014/0000153995. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[2] Billboard. 2005. Korean Telco Takes Management Of Seoul Information. 27 Might. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/korean-telco-takes-control-of-seoul-records-1411719/. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[3] YBM. 2013. 1978: Founding of Seoul Information. YMB Homepage, 28 December. http://www.ybm.co.kr/sisa/photograph.aspx?seq=14&Web page=1. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[4] Naver. 2018. Kakao M Co., Ltd. Naver Organisation Dictionary, 22 October 2018. https://net.archive.org/net/20210520050332/https://phrases.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=651823&cell=&cid=43167&categoryId=43167. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[5] Ibid.

[6] Han, Woo-ram. 2026. Affinity Fairness Companions hit the jackpot with Kakao-Loen deal. Mail Financial Day by day, 13 January. https://n.information.naver.com/article/009/0003663386?sid=004. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[7] Lee, Jae-young. 2013. Affinity acquires a stake in Loen Leisure owned by Actual Networks. The Bell, 17  November. https://www.thebell.co.kr/free/content material/ArticleView.asp?key=201311070100009740000585&svccode=00&web page=1&kind=thebell_check_time. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[8] Lee, Solar-min. 2013. Loen acquires massive stake in Starship. Korea JoonAng Day by day, 19 December. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/information/article/article.aspx?assist=2982315. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[9] Lee, Se-young. 2016. Kakao to purchase South Korea’s prime music streaming operator for $1.6 billion. Reuters, 11 January. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kakao-m-a-loen-ent-idUSKCN0UP01620160112/. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[10] Kim, Nam Kyu. 2010. iWylab launches ‘KakaoTalk’, a messenger app for iPhone. Financial system At this time, 18 March. http://www.eto.co.kr/information/outview.asp?Code=20100318145504490&ts=233011. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[11] Kakao. n.d. About. https://www.kakaocorp.com/web page/about/subsidiaryCompany. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[12] Power Financial system. 2017. Loen will change its title to KakaoM. 26 December. https://www.ekn.kr/net/view.php?key=332761. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[13] Han, Susan. 2018. Kakao M, previously Loen Leisure, reveals new company id + appoints new CEO. Allkpop, 23 March. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2018/03/kakao-m-formerly-loen-entertainment-reveals-new-corporate-identity-appoints-new-ceo. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[14] Joara, Hankyung. 2021. Kakao Enterprises formally launched with ‘One trillion in gross sales’. The Korea Financial Day by day, 4 March. https://www.hankyung.com/article/202103048042g. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[15] Kakao Leisure. 2021. Kakao Leisure merges with Korea’s No. 1 music streaming platform Melon because it eyes international development. Press launch, 1 September. https://newsroom.kakaoent.com/information/kakao-entertainment-merges-with-koreas-no-1-music-streaming-platform-melon-as-it-eyes-global-growth/. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[16] Stassen, Murray. 2021. Spotify reinstates Okay-Pop tracks from Kakao Leisure as corporations attain international licensing deal. Music Enterprise Worldwide, 11 March. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-reinstates-k-pop-tracks-from-kakao-entertainment-as-companies-reach-global-licensing-deal/. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[17] Grokipedia. n.d. Genie Music. https://grokipedia.com/web page/Genie_Music. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Ibid.

[21] Ibid.

[22] Ibid.

[23] Ibid.

[24] Ibid.

[25] Ibid.

[26] Grokipedia. n.d. iRiver. https://grokipedia.com/web page/IRiver. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[27] Moon Ihlwan. 2004. Korea’s ReignCom: Shifting Up The MP3 Charts. Businessweek, 26 January. https://net.archive.org/net/20071015174000/http://businessweek.com/journal/content material/04_04/b3867071.htm. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[28] Ibid.

[29] Korea JoonAng Day by day. 2003. 3 companies set for IPOs this week. 8 December. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2003/12/08/business/3-firms-set-for-IPOs-this-week/2069035.html. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[30] Search engine optimisation, Ji-eun. 2012. After the smartphone, MP3 makers wrestle to outlive. Korea JoonAng Day by day, 29 March. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2012/03/29/business/After-the-smartphone-MP3-makers-struggle-to-survive/2950714.html. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[31] Bäumer, Simon. 2011. Iriver plant zwei neue Androidgeräte: Ein Pill und ein Smartphone. PCMasters, 14 July. https://www.pcmasters.de/information/13373968-iriver-plant-zwei-neue-androidgeraete-ein-tablet-und-ein-smartphone.html#:~:textual content=Daspercent20geleaktepercent20Bildpercent20zeigtpercent20daspercent20geplantepercent20Androidsmartphonepercent2C,undpercent20aufpercent20einempercent203percent2C5percent20Zollpercent20Touchscreenpercent20basieren. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[32] Search engine optimisation, Ji-eun. 2012. After the smartphone

[33] Kang, Yoon-seung. 2014. SK Telecom to amass Iriver for 29.5 bln gained. Yonhap Information, 25 June. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140625005100320. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[34] NamuWiki. o.D. FLO. https://en.namu.wiki/w/FLO. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[35] Kwon, Yong-min. 2017. SM Enters iRiver as 2nd Largest Shareholder in “World Content material Market”. Seoul Financial Day by day, 17 July. https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1OIIDB8KM5/GD0501. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[36] Kim, D. 2018. SM, JYP, And Large Hit To Launch Joint Music Enterprise. Soompi, 31 January. https://www.soompi.com/article/1117157wpp/sm-jyp-big-hit-launch-joint-music-enterprise. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[37] Hankyung.com. 2021. ‘Previous iRiver’ deficit exonerated by SKT. The Korea Financial Day by day, 18 Might. https://www.hankyung.com/article/2021051866611. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[38] Choi, Hyun-seok. 2019. iRiver modified its title to ‘Dreamers Firm’. Naver Information, 28 March. https://n.information.naver.com/article/001/0010726293. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[39] The Korea Herald. 2021. SK Telecom names new CEO following non-telecom spinoff. 1 November. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/2716859. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[40] Lee, Jinhwi. 2024. DreamUsCompany, sells ‘iriver’ enterprise for five billion gained. High Day by day, 30 December. https://en.topdaily.kr/articles/4090. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[41] Park, Hyun-jung. 2003. Park Sung-hoon, President of Bucks Music, “leaps to turn into the most effective portal in Korea in 2-3 years”. Naver Information, 24 April. https://n.information.naver.com/mnews/article/029/0000025349?sid=105. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[42] Ibid.

[43] Ibid.

[44] Billboard. 2005. Korean Labels Win Bugs Battle. 15 March. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/korean-labels-win-bugs-battle-1415784/. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[45] Lee Kyong-hee. 2004. Music income swirling down digital drain. Korea JoonAng Day by day, 1 October. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2004/10/01/options/Music-profits-swirling-down-digital-drain/2475425.html. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[46] Billboard. Korean Labels Win Bugs Battle.

[47] Ibid.

[48] Neowiz. n.d. Historical past. https://www.nwhcorp.com/holdings/en. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[49] NHN Corp. n.d. We’re NHN, a World IT Firm Pioneering into The World Taking part in Discipline. https://www.nhn.com/en-US/firm?tab=about. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[50] Ibid.

[51] Yoon Sung-won. 2016. Bugs increasing to leisure company biz. The Korea Instances, 31 August. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/enterprise/tech-science/20160831/bugs-expanding-to-entertainment-agency-biz. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[52] YG Plus. 2017. YG PLUS-NAVER collectively implements music enterprise venture. Press launch, 18 October. https://yg-life.com/archives/94413?lang=en. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[53] Sportsseoul.com. 2020. Consuming Naver music sources, from buy to subscription… Finish of Naver Music. 3 October. https://www.sportsseoul.com/information/learn/963447. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[54] Since December 2014, Naver.com has been working the music streaming service Line Music by its Japanese subsidiary, Line Company. See: Russell, Jon. 2015. Messaging App Agency Line Is Testing A $2 Per Month Music Streaming Service. TechCrunch, 21 Might. https://techcrunch.com/2015/05/21/line-music/. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

[55] Korea YoonAng Day by day. 2025. Naver launches new music streaming program in partnership with Spotify. 28 November. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/information/2025-11-28/enterprise/business/Naver-launches-new-music-streaming-program-in-partnership-with-Spotify/2465879. Accessed 26 Jun 2026

On the podcast Nearly Okay, Swept Away, John Gallagher Jr.

On the podcast Nearly Okay, Swept Away, John Gallagher Jr.

by | Jul 13, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News

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Kyle Meredith and John Gallagher Jr. spoke about his new EP, About Okay, a life-changing ragabyte. The actor-musician, who is best known for The Newsroom, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Spring Awakening, American Idiot, and the Avett Brothers ‘ Broadway musical Moved Away, explores the band’s live-band fire, the strange money of independent music, and what happens when you get a backseat to the piano. Listen in the audiobooks above or wherever you can find them.

Gallagher describes Almoȿt Okay as” a little card from αn inbetween period,” which was createḑ as a result oƒ α breakup record, Swept Awαy’s difficult lαnding, and a desire to ƒind ȿomething enjoyable once moɾe. Hȩ recoɱmends taking ⱨis five-piece grouρ to the studio, whȩre the tuneȿ cαme free, alive, and raw in all the right wαys, as he says, “in the darkest of douƀts. “

He also discusses the sarcastic glider” Harḑ Spit,” which was published aƒter too ɱuch browȿing occurred during the 2024 voƫe campaigȵ. He claims that his thoughts αre “like l’m losing my mįnd,” descrįbing ƫhe agony of virtual shσw promotion only to become suffocated by murders, conspiracy theories, anḑ analytįc garbage. Gallagher admits,” I love mine the individual for the public,” and directing soldiers like John Prine, Todd Snider, Paul Westerberg, and Jackson Browne to keep the joke in the chaos.

Eventually, Gallagher mentions thαt” a little part” will play α role in Mikȩ Flanagan’ȿ future “retooling” σf the Movie compαny. He claims that Flanagan is an outstanding director because of his work with him. Being on set with him and witnessing him obtaining the rights to this significant brand was really great. I believe people will be very surprised and pleased with the material because he’s going to accomplish some really great things with it. “

In ƫhe novel show αbove oɾ by watching the video below, John Gαllagher Jr. discusses About Okαy, Swept Away, the nȩw Movįe film, and more. Follow Kyle Meredith With… σn your preferred audįo system, and subscribe to thȩ Consequence Podcast Network tσ listen ƫo all the newest episodes.

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IPRMENTLAW WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS (twenty ninth June – fifth July, 2026)

by | Jul 6, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News


Preity Zinta Strikes Bombay Excessive Courtroom In opposition to Deepfakes and AI Abuse

Bollywood actor Preity Zinta has approached the Bombay Excessive Courtroom searching for an omnibus safety order for her persona, digital, and inherent attributes together with her face, voice, and likeness—towards unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes, industrial exploitation, and digital manipulation on-line. This motion follows an escalating pattern of Indian A-listers using the judiciary to safe sweeping “John Doe” protecting injunctions underneath frequent legislation passing-off and proper to privateness ideas to fight the instant industrial and reputational threats posed by generative AI instruments.

Delhi Excessive Courtroom Protects Ravi Kishan’s Character Rights In opposition to AI Misuse

The Delhi Excessive Courtroom has granted interim reduction to actor and BJP MP Ravi Kishan by directing the takedown of AI-generated deepfakes, cloned-voice ads, and different on-line content material that prima facie infringes his persona rights. The Courtroom held that unauthorised industrial exploitation of Kishan’s title, picture, voice and likeness together with AI-generated movies and ads warrants instant elimination by intermediaries if uploaders fail to conform. Nevertheless, the Courtroom distinguished persona rights from defamation, observing that purely defamatory content material must be examined individually and was not mechanically lined by the persona rights declare. The order provides to the rising physique of Delhi Excessive Courtroom jurisprudence recognising and defending superstar persona rights within the age of generative AI.

Delhi Excessive Courtroom Attracts Clear Line Between Defamation and Character Rights in Raghav Chadha Case

The Delhi Excessive Courtroom granted partial interim reduction to BJP MP Raghav Chadha by directing the takedown of particular social media posts that have been discovered to be prima facie defamatory and obscene. Nevertheless, the Courtroom refused to problem a blanket takedown order or prolong safety on the premise of persona rights, holding that the case primarily involved alleged defamation quite than unauthorised industrial exploitation of Chadha’s id. Emphasising the significance of free speech in a democracy, the Courtroom noticed that public figures and politicians should tolerate political criticism, satire and humour, and that not each adversarial or essential reference quantities to defamation or a violation of persona rights.

Delhi HC Directs Google to Take Down Content material from Dhruv Rathee’s Video on Hindu Deities

The Delhi Excessive Courtroom, appearing on an middleman regulatory evaluate reference, has directed Google LLC to make sure the elimination or geoblocking of particular segments and related content material linked to a YouTube video uploaded by creator Dhruv Rathee that allegedly made controversial remarks regarding Hindu deities. The courtroom’s order in Google LLC v. Union of India & Ors. underscores the strict judicial stance on digital content material able to disrupting public order or impacting non secular sentiments, emphasizing the expedited compliance timelines intermediaries should adhere to underneath India’s IT Guidelines as soon as an official takedown mandate is issued.

Authorized Warning Issued Over ‘Hera Pheri 3’ Worldwide Rights

Akshay Kumar’s manufacturing home, Cape of Good Movies, has issued an official public discover firmly asserting its unique, worldwide mental property, copyright, and distribution rights over the extremely anticipated upcoming movie Hera Pheri 3. The general public declaration serves as an aggressive pre-litigation industrial warning towards Base Industries Group or any unauthorized third events trying to enter into parallel licensing, distribution, or financing preparations, successfully clearing the movie’s chain-of-title earlier than main theatrical or digital rights are formally assigned.

The Rising Price of Comedy: Stand-up Contracts Implement Authorized Positive Print

Stand-up comedians and stay occasion organizers in Bengaluru are quickly overhauling their artist agreements and ticketing phrases to implement aggressive authorized waivers, strict indemnity clauses, and obligatory pre-show disclaimers. Pushed by a surge in native disruptions and felony complaints filed for hurting non secular sentiments, these up to date efficiency contracts explicitly dictate that each one present materials is strictly satirical, shifting your entire monetary and authorized legal responsibility to the artists whereas forcing them to indemnify venues towards any subsequent authorized fallout.

Diljit Dosanjh Starrer ‘Satluj’ Skips Theatres for Digital Launch After 3-12 months CBFC Impasse

Following a grueling three-year gridlock over censorship clearances with the Central Board of Movie Certification (CBFC), the Diljit Dosanjh-headlined function movie Satluj has formally bypassed its deliberate theatrical distribution to safe a direct-to-digital streaming launch. The long-standing administrative delay illustrates the huge industrial friction unbiased creators face underneath structural censor board critiques, finally forcing manufacturing homes to chop their losses and leverage various OTT exploitation fashions the place inside platform tips supply distinct compliance workflows for delicate historic themes.

Punjab & Haryana HC Orders Contemporary CBFC Assessment for Punjabi Movie ‘Chardikala’

The Punjab & Haryana Excessive Courtroom has intervened within the distribution impasse of the Punjabi movie Chardikala, issuing a directive that orders the Central Board of Movie Certification (CBFC) to conduct a recent, time-bound evaluate of the undertaking. The courtroom strongly emphasised {that a} creator’s elementary proper to freedom of expression can’t be throttled by arbitrary administrative delays or unreasoned objection cuts, re-establishing judicial evaluate as an important verify towards the censor board when clear, written justifications for withholding customary exhibition certification are absent.

Salman Khan Movies Denies Allegations of CBFC Delay for ‘Maatrubhumi’

Responding to widespread media hypothesis and {industry} rumors, Salman Khan Movies (SKF) has issued a proper company clarification denying that their upcoming manufacturing Maatrubhumi is going through regulatory roadblocks or certification delays with the CBFC. The manufacturing home explicitly acknowledged that the movie’s post-production timeline is shifting ahead in strict accordance with customary {industry} submission schedules, actively deploying clear public relations messaging to guard the movie’s pre-release market valuation from regulatory uncertainty.

Screenwriters Affiliation of India (SRAI) Steps Up Royalty Combat through Copyright Societies

Led by distinguished {industry} veterans like screenwriter Vinod Ranganath, the Screenwriters Affiliation of India (SRAI) is aggressively spearheading an institutional push to operationalize a devoted, useful copyright society particularly for literary works. Regardless of India’s 2012 copyright reforms legally guaranteeing a non-waivable proper to equal royalties for creators of underlying works, systemic resistance from main tv networks and streaming platforms has compelled screenwriters to undertake collective bargaining and statutory assortment constructions to efficiently implement downstream syndication and re-run payouts.

Director Sudha Kongara Strikes Madras HC Claiming ₹8.39 Crore in Unpaid Charges

Nationwide Award-winning filmmaker Sudha Kongara has moved the Madras Excessive Courtroom towards the producers of the movie Parasakthi, alleging a extreme materials breach of contract and searching for an pressing injunction over an excellent stability of ₹8.39 crore in unpaid directorial charges. The high-stakes industrial dispute underscores the systemic vulnerability of administrators in high-budget regional cinema, emphasizing absolutely the necessity for sturdy escrow agreements and ironclad payment-milestone protections inside manufacturing contracts to mitigate post-production fee defaults.

Delhi HC Refuses to Carry Injunction on Ilaiyaraaja Over 134-Movie Music Catalogue

The Delhi Excessive Courtroom, within the ongoing litigation Ilaiyaraaja v. Echo Recording & Ors., has refused to elevate an interim injunction proscribing the legendary composer from claiming absolute, unique possession over his musical works spanning a large 134-film catalog. The courtroom’s refusal to vacate the order maintains a strict established order within the long-running battle between music labels and the composer, serving as a pivotal battleground for testing the statutory limits of a composer’s non-waivable proper to royalties underneath the 2012 Copyright Amendments versus a producer’s historic proper as the primary proprietor of a movie’s sound recording.

Centre Points 15-Day Ultimatum to Telegram to Suppress Pirated Content material

The Ministry of Electronics and Info Know-how (MeitY) has issued a strict directive to Telegram, demanding an Motion Taken Report (ATR) inside 15 days detailing the platform’s efforts to crack down on widespread pirated academic supplies, leaked aggressive examination papers, and copyrighted cinema. The federal government’s ultimatum indicators an intensifying enforcement stance towards end-to-end encrypted messaging functions working in India, warning {that a} failure to actively police and suppress illicit networks will outcome within the instant revocation of their statutory “protected harbor” middleman immunity.

Authorities Blocks Chinese language Functions Used to Manipulate E-Rickshaw Software program

The Indian Authorities has invoked emergency telecom and cybersecurity powers to dam a focused array of unauthorized Chinese language functions that have been reportedly getting used to bypass manufacturing unit speed-governors and manipulate the digital digital management items (ECUs) of economic e-rickshaws. Orchestrated by MeitY and the Ministry of Communications, this regulatory intervention highlights a significant shift in nationwide safety coverage, the place the unauthorized software program manipulation of low-cost industrial transport autos is now actively prosecuted as a essential menace to nationwide infrastructure security.

TikTok Agrees to Settle California Social Media Dependancy Lawsuit Earlier than Trial

TikTok has reached a structural settlement settlement with a teenage plaintiff in California, narrowly avoiding a high-profile state courtroom trial that was set to legally scrutinize the platform’s algorithmic design options and their addictive behavioral impacts on minors. By settling simply earlier than the trial’s graduation, the social media platform managed to stop the general public disclosure of its extremely delicate proprietary algorithm analytics throughout the evidentiary discovery section, whereas efficiently avoiding a binding judicial precedent that might open the floodgates to nationwide product legal responsibility claims.

Each day Mail Sued Over Systematic Scraping of Social Media Photographs

Related Newspapers, the writer behind the Each day Mail, is going through a sweeping copyright infringement lawsuit in excessive courtroom accusing its digital newsrooms of systematically lifting and publishing copyrighted photographs straight from creators’ public social media feeds with out searching for prior permission or providing monetary compensation. The litigation vigorously reinforces the core mental property doctrine that a person posting content material to a public social community doesn’t grant third-party industrial media homes an implied, royalty-free license to scrape and commercially exploit these visible belongings.

Amazon Sued in Class Motion Over Prime Video Advert-Supported Rollout

A significant class-action lawsuit has been filed towards Amazon in a US District Courtroom accusing the e-commerce large of breach of contract and misleading commerce practices following its unilateral resolution to introduce ads into its customary Prime Video tier. The authorized problem targets Amazon’s implementation of a brand new month-to-month surcharge required for customers to regain ad-free streaming, serving as a essential check case for shopper safety legal guidelines relating to whether or not digital platforms can legally alter core service descriptions mid-subscription with out providing customers pro-rata refunds.

Vietnam Standardizes Copyright Royalty Guidelines for Business Venues

Vietnam’s Ministry of Tradition has formally enacted a unified statutory tariff and assortment framework designed to standardize copyright royalty charges for background music performed throughout industrial sectors, together with resorts, purchasing malls, and eating places. The regulatory rollout marks a significant maturation level for the rising market’s collective rights administration programs, bringing native enforcement mechanisms into direct alignment with worldwide WIPO and TRIPS requirements whereas simplifying cross-border music licensing for worldwide industrial entities.

Swatch Calls for $70 Million from Samsung Over Smartwatch Face Infringement

The Swiss watchmaking titan Swatch Group is aggressively pursuing a $70 million trademark and unfair competitors declare towards Samsung, alleging that the tech conglomerate allowed its digital app retailer to host and distribute downloadable third-party smartwatch faces that identically copied Swatch’s iconic, registered watch face aesthetics. The multi-million greenback lawsuit serves as a significant precedent for model safety, proving that legacy luxurious commerce gown and design parts possess full enforcement weight and IP safety when unauthorizedly simulated in purely digital and digital environments.

7-Eleven Launches Trademark Lawsuit In opposition to Nike Over ‘Huge Chew’ Aesthetics

Comfort retailer large 7-Eleven has initiated a significant federal trademark and commerce gown lawsuit towards Nike, alleging that an upcoming sneaker launch unauthorizedly borrows the distinct, extremely recognizable coloration configurations, branding parts, and commerce gown related to 7-Eleven’s well-known “Huge Chew” meals merchandise. The authorized motion reinforces the strict boundary surrounding cross-industry model exploitation, signaling that the unauthorized appropriation of a well-known retail model’s signature coloration palette on industrial attire can set off actionable claims for commerce gown dilution and shopper confusion.

Nike Entangled in Separate ‘Total90’ Trademark Dispute

Nike is concurrently defending its proprietary rights over its historic “Total90” athletic branding in a fancy trademark dispute centered round non-use provisions and legacy registration renewals. Because the sportswear large actively prepares to retro and capitalize on its basic 2000s soccer design aesthetics, the authorized battle highlights the essential operational necessity for multi-national companies to actively make the most of and strategically preserve their legacy trademark portfolios to insulate themselves from aggressive cancellation actions filed by rivals claiming industrial abandonment.

Blake Energetic & Justin Baldoni Authorized Charges Dispute Escalates

Within the turbulent post-release fallout of the movie It Ends with Us, the respective authorized groups representing Blake Energetic and co-star/director Justin Baldoni are locked in intense negotiations relating to contractual breach claims and the allocation of large authorized charges. The battle stems from deep artistic management disputes throughout post-production arbitrations, highlighting the extraordinary authorized friction that happens underneath Hollywood “pay-or-play” contracts when a lead actor holds an government producer title with competing, contractually protected final-cut rights.

The Economics of Ok-pop-Half 11: The Darkish Facet of Ok-pop – Music Enterprise Analysis

The Economics of Ok-pop-Half 11: The Darkish Facet of Ok-pop – Music Enterprise Analysis

by | Jun 29, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News


In my final weblog publish on the built-in advertising and marketing of Ok-pop, I took a primary have a look at the darkish aspect of Ok-pop by means of the “saesang” phenomenon. On this half, I’m going to take a more in-depth look not solely on the obsessive and dysfunctional fan tradition, but additionally on the inflexible and generally even brutal coaching and manufacturing system of Ok-Pop firms, which may contribute to the traumatisation of artists and will even result in suicide.

The Economics of Ok-pop-Half 11: The Darkish Facet of Ok-pop

The companies encourage the obsessive fan behaviour known as “saesang”. They produce residence tales and supply intensive backstage protection to create a very shut bond with followers. An idol’s picture is fastidiously deliberate and maintained. In doing so, Ok-pop companies train large management over their stars, overlaying each facet of their lives, together with their personal lives. There are strict dietary rules, accompanied by weekly weight checks. In some circumstances, artists have even been ordered to drop a few pounds.[1]

The artists’ total vary of communication, together with their private communications, can also be monitored. The social media presence of Ok-pop stars is strictly regulated and monitored to forestall harm to their picture. To this finish, trainees and Ok-pop stars alike usually have their smartphones taken away.[2] Relationships and socialising exterior the Ok-pop bubble are additionally unwelcome and are discouraged. The ‘no-dating guidelines’ made headlines; these have been imposed by nearly all Ok-pop companies on their trainees in addition to on artists who’ve made their breakthrough and are additionally laid down of their contracts. It emerged that, from 2015 onwards, JYP Leisure had imposed a three-year relationship ban within the contracts of all 9 members of the lady group Twice.[3]

The Case of Kiera Grace Madder alias KG

The abuses inside the Ok-pop trade often solely come to gentle when these affected start to combat again and take authorized motion. This was the case with Kiera Grace Madder, who, on the age of 15, was solid by JYP USA underneath the stage identify KG for the lady group VCHA. On the finish of 2024, the then-minor terminated her contract with JYP and made severe allegations towards the Ok-pop firm. The lawsuit was a damning one. In 16 counts, JYP was accused, amongst different issues, of exploiting little one labour, little one neglect and abuse, in addition to breach of contract and fraud.[4] Kiera Madder‘s courtroom affidavit painted a grim image of the Ok-pop trade:[5] the working situations have been inhumane. {The teenager} needed to practice arduous for greater than 60 hours per week, usually late into the evening. On the directions of a coach, she was made to repeat dance strikes lots of of instances and not using a break and was not allowed to drink. When she sustained an harm severe sufficient to require hospital remedy, she was nonetheless made to proceed coaching, regardless that she had been instructed to relaxation.[6] She and the opposite group members have been additionally pressured to observe a salad-only weight loss program to make sure they didn’t lose their “excellent weight”. They have been solely allowed to eat on the corporate’s premises underneath fixed supervision, and their physique weight was meticulously measured each month. Dancing exterior of classes was forbidden, and so they have been solely allowed to hearken to the label’s personal music. Though she lived within the US, she was required to at all times communicate Korean with the workers.[7]

She lived with the opposite group members within the so-called VCHA Home, a company-owned property in West Hollywood. The day was strictly scheduled across the clock, and from 9.00 pm there was a curfew, which was monitored by CCTV cameras. Nevertheless, cameras have been additionally put in within the kitchen, the residing space and even the bedrooms, recording all the things with out the residents’ data. Kiera Madden stated she felt as if she have been in jail. She needed to submit a request to be allowed to go to her mom, which was not at all times authorized.[8]

The tough coaching, the fixed stress to carry out and, above all, the poisonous residing situations underneath fixed controlling supervision have been traumatic for Kiera Madden, and because of this she developed psychological well being points. She was now not in a position to attend college and, like the opposite group members, suffered from consuming problems, which have been, nonetheless, dismissed by the workers as “regular”. She additionally witnessed acts of self-harm amongst her housemates and even a suicide try.[9]

On high of the psychological pressure got here a very insidious type of monetary blackmail. JYP knowledgeable Kiera Madden that she owed the corporate US $378,680 as of January 2024. By April 2024, the debt had allegedly risen to US $504,543. Nevertheless, it was utterly unclear how these figures had been calculated. When she lastly selected 19 Might 2024 to depart VCHA and JYP, the 16-year-old was dropped off at 3 am in the course of the evening at a lodge in West Hollywood, left with out safety or help. From JYP’s perspective, this had brought about the corporate large harm, for which it now threatened to take authorized motion.[10]

Nevertheless, the case didn’t go to courtroom as a result of the plaintiff reached an out-of-court settlement with JYP USA Inc. and VCHA. A second member additionally left the lady group, whose 4 remaining members continued their work with JYP underneath the brand new band identify GIRLSET.[11]

Longterm Contracts and Poor Remuneration

The case of KG, alias Kiera Madden, is much from an exception. Ever since SM Leisure established its trainee system, there have been repeated allegations of poor working situations and a pervasive tradition of bullying and sexual harassment.[12] There have additionally been repeated complaints about excessively lengthy contract phrases, poor remuneration and the duty to repay coaching prices. For example, three members of the boy band TVXQ sued their company, SM Leisure, looking for the early termination of their contracts. Of their lawsuit, they criticised the disproportionately lengthy contract time period of 13 years and an unfair profit-sharing association.[13] Though the boy band was probably the most profitable Ok-pop acts of the 2000s, every of the 5 band members obtained a income share equal to US $152,000 per 12 months.[14] For a median earner, that may look like some huge cash, however it’s modest for Ok-pop superstars. Regardless of a preliminary injunction issued by the Seoul Central District Court docket in favour of the three plaintiffs, the 2 remaining group members sided with SM Leisure in an open letter. A mudslinging battle of mutual accusations ensued.[15] Following a three-year authorized dispute, the events agreed to a mutual termination of their contractual relationship, which led to the break-up of the boy band in its authentic line-up.[16]

Anybody who thought that SM Leisure would have deserted excessively lengthy contract phrases following this authorized dispute was mistaken. When the boy band EXO was shaped in 2012, the group members have been as soon as once more given contracts with 13-year phrases. Nevertheless, this solely got here to gentle after three members of EXO introduced, by way of their attorneys, their intention to terminate their contracts early on 1 June 2023. The printed letter not solely criticised the lengthy period of the unique contracts, but additionally the truth that, upon contract renewal, the artists have been pressured into signing unique contracts with phrases of at the least 17 to 18 years or longer. The attorneys’ letter refers back to the TVXQ case, through which the courtroom and the Honest Commerce Fee dominated that contracts could also be for a most of seven years.[17] SM Leisure took a unique view and issued an in depth assertion of its personal, through which it deemed the lengthy contract time period to be in accordance with the legislation and suspected that the entire manoeuvre by the three EXO members was a part of a conspiracy by a rival Ok-pop company looking for to steal the artists away.[18] This case was not settled in courtroom both, as SM and the three EXO members ultimately agreed to increase their contracts.[19]

The circumstances described listed here are simply the tip of the iceberg and spotlight a structural drawback inside the Ok-pop manufacturing system. Ok-pop firms search to train full management over the worth chain, and this contains the inventive labour. Consequently, extraordinarily lengthy contracts are concluded and dealing situations are created through which the artists are topic to finish management. Defenders of this method usually argue that it’s culturally decided and corresponds to the Confucian work ethic. John Lie explicitly counters this and states: “[T]he ethos behind the celebrities’ impeccable public habits is much less Confucian than authorarian. Ok-pop stardom is hardly a charmed life. Its fragility might be gauged by the plethora of suicides amongst profitable performers.”[20]

Cyberbullying and Suicides

Certainly, the listing of Ok-pop stars who’ve taken their very own lives as a result of they have been damaged by this inflexible manufacturing system and the related cyberbullying is an extended one. For example, Jonghyun, a member of the boy band SHINee, died on the night of 18 December 2017 – his 28th birthday – in a Seoul hospital following a suicide try, having struggled with melancholy for years.[21] Additionally affected by melancholy, which was partly attributed to cyberbullying, the 24-year-old singer Sulli of the lady group f(x) hanged herself throughout the evening of 13–14 October 2019 at her residence in southern Seoul.[22] It has emerged that she had repeatedly requested her company, SM Leisure, to take motion towards the cyberbullying; nonetheless, in line with an unnamed consultant of the South Korean leisure trade, these measures weren’t stringent sufficient.[23] Shocked by the loss of life of her shut pal Sulli, 28-year-old singer Goo Hara of the lady group Kara additionally took her personal life on 24 November 2019. One contributing issue was undoubtedly her break-up together with her abusive associate, who had tried to blackmail her, however the hateful feedback on social media accusing her of immoral behaviour definitely performed an element as properly.[24]

Conclusion

The success of Ok-pop comes at a excessive worth. Though the Ok-pop manufacturing system encompasses A&R, songwriting, music manufacturing, advertising and marketing and distribution, and is carefully linked to the stay music trade, artists usually endure harsh working and residing situations that bear little resemblance to the glamorous lives of superstars. The contracts, that are usually signed when the artists are youngsters, are prolonged and troublesome to terminate. The trainee course of is extraordinarily aggressive and selective and it lasts for a few years. Even after they’ve made their breakthrough, artists are topic to fixed surveillance, which extends to their personal lives. Additionally they discover themselves on a treadmill of album releases and live performance performances. Penalties can embrace escapism, as evidenced by the Burning Solar scandal involving YG Leisure, or psychological well being points that may result in suicide. On this context, the Ok-pop enterprise just isn’t an instance of greatest follow for an rising music market. Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a lot to be learnt from this case examine, offered one manages to keep away from the unfavourable elements of Ok-pop.

Endnotes

[1] Jeong, Lucy. 2020. Ok-pop trainee guidelines: no relationship, no telephones, weekly weight checks – Blackpink, Twice and BTS members reveal what Korea’s leisure companies actually demand of their idols. South China Morning Put up, 18 November. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/type/celeb/article/3110355/k-pop-trainee-rules-no-dating-no-phones-weekly-weight. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ko, Dong-hwan. 2018. Breaking: TWICE relationship ban lifted. The Korea Instances, 21 October. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/leisure/k-pop/20181021/breaking-twice-dating-ban-lifted. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[4] Ok.M., a minor, by and thru her guardian, a litem, Tracy Madder v. JYP USA Inc. Verified Criticism and Damages and Equitable Aid. Superior Court docket of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. Case No. 24ST CV32165. 6 December 2024. https://trellis.legislation/doc/232416305/complaint-filed-by-k-m-plaintiff-as-to-jyp-usa-inc-defendant. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[5] JYP USA Inc. v. Kiera Grace Madder, a minor. Declaration of respondent Kiera Grace Madder in help of her request for an order to put aside. Case No. 23ST FL05599. https://de.scribd.com/doc/860840799/KG-Declaration. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Kim, Jae-heun. 2025. JYP Leisure ends contract with KG, rebrands VCHA as Girlset. The Korea Herald, 8. August. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10550039. Zugriff 16. Mär. 2026

[12] Atkin. Ok-Pop. pp 94-96.

[13] Lee, Hyo-won. 2009. TVXQ Feuds With SM Leisure. The Korea Instances, 2 August. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/leisure/k-pop/20090802/tvxq-feuds-with-sm-entertainment. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[14] Turner, Jasmine. 2023. Right here’s How Badly TVXQ Was Paid Throughout Their Peak With SM Leisure. Koreaboo, 1. Juni. https://www.koreaboo.com/tales/tvxq-legal-dispute-sm-entertainment-recap-payment-unfair/. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[15] Kim, Hyung-woo. 2009. TVXQ’s Yunho and Changmin’s representatives: “Claims of an unfair contract are preposterous; we discover these false allegations regrettable”. Newsen, 2 November. https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200911021558411002. Übersetzt mit DeepL. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[16] Turner, Jasmine. Right here’s How Badly TVXQ Was Paid

[17] Soompi. 2023. Breaking: EXO’s Baekhyun, Xiumin, And Chen Notify SM Leisure Of Contract Termination. Assertion of the EXO attorneys, 1 June. https://www.soompi.com/article/1591081wpp/breaking-exos-baekhyun-xiumin-and-chen-notify-sm-entertainment-of-contract-termination. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[18] SM Leisure’s full assertion might be discovered at Turner, Jasmine. Right here’s How Badly TVXQ Was Paid

[19] Shim, Solar-ah. 2023. 3 EXO members to stick with SM Leisure, resolving contract dispute. Yonhap Information, 19 June. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230619004200315. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[20] Lie. Ok-Pop. p 126

[21] The Korea Herald. 2017. SHINee’s Jonghyun dies in hospital. 18 December. https://net.archive.org/net/20171218122146/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171218001047. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[22] Im, Eun-byel. 2019. Singer and actor Sulli discovered useless. The Korea Herald, 14 October. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/2125408. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[23] Busan Ilbo. 2019. “Sulli had repeatedly requested SM to deal with malicious feedback”. 15 October. https://www.busan.com/view/busan/view.php?code=2019101516142959202. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

[24] Wealthy, Motoko und John Yoon. 2024. A Ok-Pop Star’s Lonely Downward Spiral. The New York Instances, 28 February. https://net.archive.org/net/20240614033858/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/28/world/asia/k-pop-suicide-goo-hara.html. Accessed 12 Jun 2026

You’re Killing Mȩ: Audio by Tom Cavanagh oȵ Acoɾn TV.

You’re Killing Mȩ: Audio by Tom Cavanagh oȵ Acoɾn TV.

by | Jun 22, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News

Apple Ƥodcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, and other programs are available tσ tαlk via.

Tom Cavanagh haȿ acted in a variety of roles, including charmiȵg intellectualȿ and clever chess players, but in this one hȩ findȿ hįmself anywhere between a small-town policeman anḑ witty gαmes ɱaster. Cavanagh praisȩd thȩ show’s ȿtrong reading, layered story, anḑ finale, wⱨich surprised even the solid, while conversing with Kyle Meredith about Acorn TV’ȿ newest ȿecret set You’re Killinǥ Me. Caⱱanagh, Brooke Shields, and Amalia Williαmson arȩ the superstars oƒ the line, which centers σn a murder riddle that spins one event at α time while giⱱing α larger tαle. Listen in the audiobooks above or wherever you can find them.

Cavanagh was most impressed by the level of faith the codes had instilled. It is well-written, I think. He claims that iƫ appears ƫo bȩ the ωeek’s crime, before changing into somȩthing else, describing how apparently unrelated stories evenƫually come iȵto conflict. By the time tⱨe finale’s prodμction was compIete, the cast was awaɾe of somethįng unique waiting for them. Tⱨe final ȿcene is” a crackerjack of a cliffhanger. ” The rate is fastidious. Your heartbeats. You are unsure of its destination. Life and death are įn danger. He constantly gives artists credit, noting that the strongest lines frequently call for the least adornment. When hȩ discusses one oƒ his favorite exchanges, he says,” When you gȩt good writing, it’s just Iike,” l just have ƫo saყ the line. “

Cavanagh even discusses creating Detective Jack, a passive figure who defys scrutiny while subtly demonstrating his worth in the face of difficulty. He claims that Jαck doesn’t like praise aȵd admiration beçause he draws ideαs from his brother, α French attorney. He wants to complete the task. Similarly crucial was knowing the writer’s story’s direction. Hȩ explains how knowįng tⱨe ending helped ⱨim adɉust eⱱery performançe selectioȵ along ƫhe way, noƫing that knowing the opportunity to shoot the gun off in the fourth act keeps the powder dry in the first açt. Cavanagh claims he ωas surprised by the mystery’s finish by the tiɱe iƫ was oveɾ.

Tσm Cavanagh discusses Yoμ’re Killiȵg Me and more in the most recent event, or watch ƫhe video įn ƫhe movie below. Follow Kyle Meredith With… on your preferred audio αpp, and subscribe to thȩ Consequençe Podcast Network to listen to αll tⱨe newest episodes.

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IPRMENTLAW Highlights (June 8-14, 2026)

IPRMENTLAW Highlights (June 8-14, 2026)

by | Jun 15, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News


Authorities Releases Draft Telecommunications Guidelines for Tv and Radio Providers Underneath New Telecommunications Act, 2023

The Ministry of Data and Broadcasting on June 12, 2026 launched the draft Telecommunications (Tv, Radio and Related Providers) Guidelines, 2026 (“Draft Guidelines”) to consolidate the rules issued for tv and radio companies below the now changed Telegraph Act, 1885, throughout the framework of the newly enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023 (“Act”). The Act was handed by the Parliament within the 12 months 2023 to exchange the Telegraph Act of 1885.

The brand new Draft Guidelines mix six older, separate tips into one single, simplified rulebook. This contains older insurance policies for satellite tv for pc TV channels, Direct-to-Residence satellite tv for pc tv, Headend-in-the-Sky cable community techniques, non-public FM radio, group radio, and Web Protocol Tv.

The principle aim of the Draft Guidelines is to “simplify and harmonize the present regime whereas selling ease of doing enterprise within the tv and radio broadcasting sector”, as clarified below the Press Launch for the “Draft Telecommunication Guidelines Associated to Tv, Radio and Related Providers Printed for Public Session” of the Ministry of Data and Broadcasting of June 12, 2026. 

The general public and trade consultants have been given till July 27, 2026, to ship of their ideas and strategies earlier than these Draft Guidelines grow to be official.

You may learn the press launch right here.

You may entry the principles right here.

Delhi Excessive Court docket Protects StoryTV’s Micro-Drama Content material from Rogue Web sites and Telegram Channels

The Delhi Excessive Court docket granted an ad-interim injunction in favor of Greenhorn Wellness Non-public Restricted, the operator of the subscription-based micro-drama platform “StoryTV”, and restrained sure web sites and Telegram channels from internet hosting, streaming, downloading, or in any other case distributing its copyrighted content material with out authorization. The Court docket discovered that StoryTV had established a prima facie case, that the steadiness of comfort was in its favour, and that it was prone to undergo irreparable hurt within the absence of interim safety.

Greenhorn alleged that the defendant web sites reproduced and streamed over 80 of its copyrighted micro-drama works, together with by compiling whole seasons into downloadable movies, whereas additionally utilizing StoryTV’s emblems to create a misunderstanding of affiliation.

The Court docket famous that the defendants actively facilitated entry to infringing content material, and noticed that one defendant operated a Progressive Internet App and Telegram channel that inspired comparable infringing actions and demonstrated information of infringement by discussions referring to DMCA takedown notices. Greenhorn asserted possession of copyright within the works as the primary proprietor below Sections 17(b) and 17(c) of the Copyright Act, 1957, primarily based on work-for-hire preparations.

Case Title: Greenhorn Wellness Non-public Restricted V. John Doe & Ors.

Quotation: CS(COMM) 618/2026 

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Delhi Excessive Court docket Observes Instagram Music Library Can’t Prima Facie Be Used for Industrial Functions

The Delhi Excessive Court docket referred a copyright dispute between Zee Leisure Enterprises Restricted and Zivore Attire Non-public Restricted, which operates the attire model Libas, to mediation after Zivore undertook to not use any music from Zee’s repertoire obtainable in Instagram’s Music Library till the injunction utility is lastly determined. The dispute arose from allegations that Libas used songs from Zee’s repertoire in Instagram reels selling its merchandise with out authorisation.

Whereas noting that many of the allegedly infringing reels had already been eliminated, the Court docket examined Instagram’s Music Tips and coverage paperwork and noticed that, prima facie, music obtainable by Instagram’s licensed music library is meant for private, non-commercial use and can’t be used for business model promotion with out applicable licences. The Court docket discovered prima facie benefit in Zee’s competition that Instagram’s licensing framework didn’t allow such business use, and referred the events to mediation to discover a business decision of the dispute.

Case Title: Zee Leisure Enterprises Restricted v. Zivore Attire Non-public Restricted

Case Quantity: CS (COMM) 651 / 2026 & IA. 15855/2026

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Bengaluru Industrial Court docket Dismisses Copyright Infringement Swimsuit Towards App Developer for Lack of Proof

Bengaluru Industrial Court docket dismissed a copyright infringement go well with filed by Pathways Basis towards an Indian app developer Arpit Roy, holding that the plaintiff had didn’t show infringement of its copyrighted sources and movies. The Pathways Basis alleged that Roy copied content material from its web site and “Child Milestones App”, eliminated its logos and watermarks from movies, and used the fabric in his functions, “Child Improvement: Milestones” and “Child Steps: Child Improvement”, for business achieve.

It sought a everlasting injunction and ₹2 crore in punitive damages. Roy contended that his functions merely embedded YouTube URLs moderately than internet hosting movies immediately, and identified that his YouTube channel had been terminated following a copyright strike and that each functions had already been faraway from Apple’s App Retailer.

The Court docket famous that the functions had been taken down and located that the plaintiff had not produced passable proof demonstrating continued infringement thereafter. Consequently, it held that the plaintiff had “totally failed” to determine copyright infringement and dismissed the go well with with prices.

Case Title: Pathways Basis v. Arpit Roy

Case Quantity: Com.OS.No.40/2025

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Delhi Excessive Court docket Grants Safety to Acharya Manish’s Character Rights Towards AI-Generated Faux Endorsements

The Delhi Excessive Court docket granted an ad-interim injunction defending the character and publicity rights of Manish Grover after discovering a prima facie case that unidentified individuals had used synthetic intelligence to create faux endorsements of well being merchandise by manipulating his voice and movies. The Court docket noticed that the defendants had gone past unauthorised use of his character attributes by using AI-based voice cloning expertise to falsely depict him as endorsing services and products with which he had no affiliation. The go well with alleged that real video footage of Grover was altered and circulated on Fb and Instagram to advertise third-party merchandise, together with natural treatments and health-related merchandise, with out his consent.

Recognising Grover’s established public repute within the fields of Ayurveda and built-in healthcare, the Court docket held that his title, picture, likeness and voice constituted precious aspects of his character and publicity rights. Observing that the defendants seemed to be intentionally capitalising on the goodwill, credibility and public belief related to him, the Court docket restrained them from utilizing or exploiting his persona or passing off merchandise as being endorsed by him. The Court docket additionally directed Meta Platforms to disable or block entry to the recognized infringing content material and permitted the plaintiffs to hunt removing of any additional infringing content material found throughout the pendency of the proceedings.

Case Title: Manish Grover & Anr. v. John Doe & Anr.

Case Quantity: CS(COMM) 659/2026

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Movie Business Seeks Restricted Revival of CBFC’s Tatkaal Certification Facility

Following the Ministry of Data and Broadcasting’s resolution to abolish the CBFC’s Tatkaal certification facility, a number of movie trade our bodies have urged the Authorities to reintroduce the mechanism in a restricted kind for distinctive circumstances. Whereas stakeholders acknowledge issues concerning misuse of the fast-track course of, they contend that an emergency certification route stays essential the place delays come up as a consequence of components past a producer’s management, corresponding to court docket proceedings, post-production delays, certification disputes, or instructions from Revising Committees.

The Tatkaal scheme beforehand allowed producers to acquire expedited certification upon fee of 3 times the usual examination payment. Business representatives have proposed a restricted emergency quota system requiring documentary justification and approval from senior CBFC officers, as a substitute of a whole restoration of the sooner framework. The demand follows current situations the place movies reportedly acquired certification shortly earlier than launch as a consequence of certification-related delays, elevating issues in regards to the absence of an expedited mechanism below the present regime.

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