Disney Announces Project to Create New K-Pop IPs

With an eye on the smash hit Netflix series K-Pop Demon Hunters, Disney Korea is looking for its own K-pop success. The company has closed a strategic partnership with Kakao Entertainment to develop projects that blend K-pop, Disney stories and characters, with around 10 initiatives planned for the medium and long term.

The idea is to unite K-pop intellectual properties with the Disney universe and bring these productions to audiences in different countries. According to the companies, the partnership seeks to expand the so-called K-IP ecosystem, an acronym used for Korean intellectual properties, and create new opportunities for artists and content from the country in the international market.

Disney and Kakao are also discussing the creation of a "K-culture fund," which is still in its early stages. For now, there is no defined value for the fund nor details on how it will be structured. The companies state that they still need to finalize the terms of the initiative.

The partnership comes at a time of strong expansion for K-pop outside of South Korea. It's worth remembering that Disney itself has already invested in productions linked to Korean culture, including series like Moving and films and documentaries about big names in the genre, such as BTS.