Kakao Entertainment Signs With Atlantic Music Group For K-Pop Global Expansion

Kakao Entertainment and Atlantic Music Group partner for K-pop global strategies

Kakao Entertainment / AMG

Kakao Entertainment, one of the leading South Korean entertainment companies, has signed a strategic partnership with Atlantic Music Group to “establish a new business model centered on creating and developing the next global K-pop IP.”

Recently, more Korean music companies have begun partnering with American music companies to expand their artists’ global reach: HYBE partnered with Geffen Records to develop and promote KATSEYE. JYP Entertainment teamed up with Republic Records to develop their own music project, which resulted in Girlset. WakeOne Entertainment and REPBLIC Collective are working together to promote ALPHA DRIVE ONE and izna in North America. Now, Kakao Entertainment and Atlantic Music Group – a subsidiary under Warner Music Group – have signed a deal.

Kakao Entertainment houses several major music labels, content studios, and platforms under its umbrella. These include EDAM Entertainment (home to IU and WOODZ); Antenna (Sam Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, Jung Seung-hwan, and Dragon Pony); High Up Entertainment (STAYC); BLUEDOT Entertainment (Just B); and Starship Entertainment (home to MONSTA X, IVE, CRAVITY, and WJSN), among others. Meanwhile, Atlantic Music Group works with Atlantic Records, 10K Projects, and 300 Entertainment to amplify their presence in the global market. Atlantic Music Group is home to Bruno Mars, Charli XCX, Coldplay, Charlie Puth, Cardi B, and Miley Cyrus.

“This partnership holds a special meaning because it brings together two companies — a leading entertainment company in Korea and a major music powerhouse in the U.S. — with complementary strengths and a shared ambition to unlock new opportunities for K-pop artists and IP on a global scale,” Joseph Chang, co-CEO of Kakao Entertainment, said in a press release. “By combining our expertise, networks, and market insights in K-pop, we aim to create new pathways for Korean artists to reach broader audiences and build lasting success in the global music market. We see this as an important step in our broader efforts to strengthen K-pop’s global presence and deepen collaboration with industry partners around the world.”

Under the new partnership, Kakao Entertainment and Atlantic Music Group will collaborate across a “wide range of areas, including global strategy, music production, distribution, marketing, and promotion” to support the global growth of K-pop artists. It will also lead to a new K-pop label partnership. Kakao will bring its K-pop ecosystem – including music IP planning and production, distribution, artist management, marketing, and fan engagement – while Atlantic Music Group contributes knowledge of A&R, marketing, promotion, and its global network.

“Kakao Entertainment has built an incredible track record of developing artists and connecting them with passionate audiences,” said Elliot Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Music Group. By combining Kakao’s deep expertise in K-pop with Atlantic Music Group’s global reach and artist development capabilities, we have an exciting opportunity to build careers that resonate with fans all over the world.”

Kakao Entertainment and Atlantic Music Group noted they will develop joint global strategies from the outset, “taking into account each artist’s musical identity, stage of development, and potential in international markets.”