Backstage Report
Korean music industry, in English
Royalty rules, collecting societies and AI policy in South Korea, read from the primary documents. Most of this is not covered in English anywhere else.
How Korea actually sets streaming royalty rates, and the assumption hidden in the numbers
Korea's streaming rates are set by government-approved tariffs, not by negotiation or a rate court. Reading the tariffs clause by clause shows the rate card is calibrated to a subscriber who pays about 6,400 won and plays 1,000 tracks a month.
Korea's KOMCA adopted an AI music registration standard, then withdrew it three weeks later
On 3 August 2026 the Korea Music Copyright Association set out when AI-assisted music could be registered. On 25 August its board voted to withdraw it. Most English coverage of the first decision does not mention the second.