Atlantic & Kakao Entertainment Form Partnership to Create More K-pop Opportunities

Korean-based distributor Kakao Entertainment and Atlantic Music Group have formed a strategic partnership to develop K-pop talent. The partnership aims to build K-pop audiences in North America and sees the two collaborating across strategy, music production, distribution, marketing and promotion.

“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 statement. “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.”

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Atlantic is home to artists including Bruno Mars, Charli xcx, Cardi B and Miley Cyrus.

“Kakao Entertainment has built an incredible track record of developing artists and connecting them with passionate audiences,” Elliot Grainge, chairman and CEO of Atlantic Music Group, said in a statement. “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.”

AMG operates music labels including Atlantic Records, 10K Projects and 300 Entertainment.

Kakao’s co-CEO Jang Yoon-jung was recently named to Billboard’s 2026 Global Power Players list. Grainge was named chairman of ADA in September.

The new venture follows Universal Music Group and HYBE’s partnership with the HYBE x Geffen global girl group audition in 2021 that ultimately led to the formation of KATSEYE.