K-POP Recognized as the “North Star” of the Global Music Industry...J.Y. Park Appointed Co-Chair of Ministerial-Level Cultural Exchange Committee

K-POP is now regarded not merely as cultural content but as a standard model for the global music industry. Its highly systematic production system has been evaluated as the “North Star” of the world music scene, prompting the South Korean government to elevate this industry as a core pillar of the nation’s soft power. Gazi Shami, founder of the renowned American record label Empire Distribution, emphasized the excellence of the K-POP system during his keynote speech at MU:CON 2025 held in Seoul. He stated, “Everything coming from Korea is outstanding,” adding that “the K-POP market is particularly interesting due to its top-tier composition skills.” Referring to K-POP’s entire production pipeline—from composition and engineering to marketing, tours, and merchandise—Shami described it as a “North Star” that shows American artists what is possible when they truly commit themselves. This implies that K-POP has evolved into a highly structured industrial network capable of releasing finished songs within a single day. Shami founded Empire in San Francisco in 2010 and has discovered major American artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Snopp Dogg, and Cardi B. Notably, he brought G-Dragon on board as the label’s first K-POP artist. Shami explained that Empire’s strategy for entering the K-POP market involves “combining sophisticated elements with an American approach to add a bit more edge.” The government has also recognized the strategic value of K-POP and undertaken organizational reforms. In October, the Blue House established a new “President’s Direct Cultural Exchange Committee” and appointed J.Y. Park, founder of JYP Entertainment, as co-chair alongside Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This position carries the same status as that of a minister-level government official. Kang Hun-sik, Secretary to the President, described J.Y. Park as a “symbol of K-POP’s globalization” and a “pioneer who first introduced Korean pop music to the United States.” He also cited the growing international interest in South Korea’s K-POP support methods, such as projects like KPop Demon Hunters, as a reason behind the appointment. Before founding JYP Entertainment in 1997, J.Y. Park debuted as a singer in 1994 with hit songs like “Hull” and “She Was.” As a titan of South Korea’s music industry, he has produced and trained numerous groups over nearly 30 years, including god, B.I., Wonder Girls, 2PM, TWICE, IVE, NMIXX, and Stray Kids. Shortly after his appointment, J.Y. Park wrote on social media that “the idea of participating in government work felt like a heavy burden,” but he added that “K-POP is at a very special moment, and I felt it was necessary to take a look.” He reiterated his unchanged dream that “K-POP will be loved around the world” and promised to strengthen institutional support for the industry’s growth. Investors viewed this appointment positively. JYP Entertainment’s stock price surged by 5.95% on the over-the-counter market Nexttrade immediately after the announcement, closing at 80,100 won. Market analysts attributed the rise to expectations of cultural export support under President Lee Jun-seok’s pledge to build five major cultural powers and anticipated policy backing for the K-POP industry. The government plans to use the new committee to coordinate cultural diplomacy and support the global expansion of Korean popular culture. This strategic decision to leverage K-POP as a key pillar of soft power signifies that the K-POP industry is being reassessed as an important asset for the national economy and diplomacy.