Mnet, leading the globalization of K-POP, and Billboard, the most influential in the global music industry join forces
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM announced today that it has entered into MOU with Billboard and Billboard Korea to expand the global influence of the K-POP industry.
The MOU signing ceremony was held on April 18 at the CJ ENM Center in Seoul and was attended by key figures from both companies, including Harry H.K. Shin, Head of Music Entertainment at CJ ENM, Mike Van, President of Billboard, and Yuna Kim, publisher and CEO of Billboard Korea.
Through the strategic partnership, the two companies will establish various cooperative relationships to contribute to spread the global influence of K-POP and popularize K-POP in the global markets.
CJ ENM has been dedicated to fostering a sustainable ecosystem through the industrialization of K-POP, with its representative music channel ‘Mnet’ at the forefront. Following the launch of the first Asian music awards, ‘Mnet Asian Music Awards’, in 2009, CJ ENM rebranded it as the world’s only K-POP awards ‘MAMA AWARDS’ in 2022, reflecting the expanded global influence of K-POP beyond Asia. MAMA AWARDS has become the dream stage for K-POP artists and the global No.1 K-POP awards that fans around the world fervently anticipate. In addition, CJ ENM is expanding its global presence with the music chart show ‘M COUNTDOWN’ and K-POP Fan & Artist Festival ‘KCON’.
Billboard Korea is the Korean branch of Billboard, the most influential American music entertainment media brand in the global music industry. It will be officially launched in Korea in June with the inaugural issue of ‘Billboard K Vol.1’. Billboard Korea will offer a global platform to disseminate the latest news and trends of K-POP not only in Korea but also around the world. In collaboration with the Billboard headquarters, the company plans to lead the globalization of K-POP with variety of influential contents, such as publishing digital pictorials of K-artists and organizing high-quality live events. Furthermore, it aims to be a cultural ambassador playing a crucial role in promoting K-culture beyond K-music to global audiences.
Mike Van, President of Billboard, said, “CJ ENM’s KCON and MAMA AWARDS are great platforms for connecting artists with global K-POP fans, which is similar to Billboard’s vision. We are looking forward to various partnerships that the two companies will show in the future, such as discovering talented artists from around the world.”
Harry H.K. Shin, Head of Music Entertainment at CJ ENM, said, “This partnership between the two leading entertainment companies in Korea and the U.S. is significant in terms of accelerating K-POP’s rising global status. With CJ ENM’s longstanding commitment to driving the music industry, we will actively support both companies to generate synergy in the globalization of K-POP.”
