▲ This photo of K-pop girl group Rescene is provided by its agency, The Muze Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- The culture ministry and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) said Tuesday they have launched a new program to help small and midsized K-pop agencies expand into overseas markets.

 

The initiative, introduced for the first time this year to promote the sustainable growth of the K-pop industry, selected 10 groups for its inaugural round of support: Rescene, xikers, Tunex, KIRAS, Can't Be Blue, 82MAJOR, Big Ocean, USPEER, X:IN and 8TURN.

 

▲ K-pop boy group xikers perform during a media showcase for its upcoming third EP, "House of Tricky: Trial and Error," in Seoul on March 7, 2024. (Yonhap)

 

Under the program, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to select 10 promising smaller agencies each year and provide up to 300 million won (US$218,000) annually to each. Agencies that demonstrate strong results may receive support for up to three years through an evaluation process.

 

Unlike previous programs that focused on specific areas such as album production or concerts, the new initiative allows agencies to allocate resources according to their own needs and strategies. The funding can be used flexibly for overseas album and music video production, local marketing and promotion, and international concerts.

 

The 10 groups selected this year plan to expand their global activities with the support.

 

Five-member group Rescene, which gained online attention with "Geoje Yaho!," will focus on Japan and the United States. After performing at "KCON JAPAN" earlier this year, the group is also scheduled to appear at "KCON LA" in August.

 

xikers plans to target the Japanese market through the release of a new mini album and unit projects.

 

Tunex is preparing to enter India, while KIRAS will focus on Asian markets, including Malaysia. Can't Be Blue, the only band among the selected acts, plans to build its overseas fan base through solo concerts and promotional activities abroad.

 

Choi Sung-hee, director general for content and media industries at the ministry, said that while K-pop has become part of mainstream global culture, smaller agencies -- the backbone of the industry -- must grow for the market to achieve sustainable development.

 

"We hope this new project will create another 'miracle of small companies' and help lead the future of K-pop," she said.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]