'MU:CON' Opens in Itaewon and Hannam-dong... Forty-Six Teams to Showcase

Four-Day Music Market Begins September 10
Conference to Feature International Music Directors and Composers

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency announced on September 2 that they will hold the 'Music·Entertainment Fair (MU:CON)' for four days starting September 10 in the Itaewon and Hannam-dong areas of Seoul.

This is a large-scale global music market that connects Korean popular music with the global music industry. This year, under the slogan 'Music Prism,' the event will feature keynote speeches, conferences, business meetings, and global showcases.

Forty-six teams of musicians from Korea and abroad will participate in the showcase. On September 12, performers will include Lee Seungyoon, Grizzly, Jambinai, Khundi Panda, Danpyunsun and the Sailors, Lee Lang, and Gisu. On September 13, Sion, Hoa, Bulgogi Disco, Jooyoung, and Jackie will take the stage. W24, Kim Ddeutdol, 87Dance, Kim Seungju, and Otis Lim, who are alumni of Muse On, will also join. Guest performances by Hong Dabin, Zion.T, 10cm, and Superbee are also scheduled. International artists include I’mdifficult from Taiwan, Dayglow from Japan, and Mija from Denmark. The performances will be operated on a free reservation basis and will be broadcast live on the Kocca Music YouTube channel.

The conference for industry professionals will be held for three days from September 10 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. In the keynote speech, Ghazi Shami, CEO of global record label Empire Publishing, will introduce a data-driven, artist-friendly business model, while Choi Jinseok, director at Creation Music Rights under SM Entertainment, will discuss the history and prospects of K-pop collaborations. James Matsuki, music director of the drama 'Pachinko,' Thomas Golubic, music director of American dramas 'Breaking Bad' and 'The Walking Dead,' Yvonne Lesan, booking agent of Spain's major festival Primavera Sound, and composer Robin Jensen, who created representative K-pop songs, will also participate as panelists and in workshops.

The pitching program has been introduced for the first time to provide practical business opportunities for participating companies and artists. By combining global partner matching, open meetings, and free networking, the program aims to expand opportunities for overseas advancement.

Lee Hyunju, Director of the Content IP Promotion Division at the Korea Creative Content Agency, stated, "Over the past 14 years, MU:CON has supported the overseas expansion of musicians and companies, growing into a hub for global business. We will continue to actively support the overseas activities and exchanges of promising artists and companies."