Kakao Entertainment has entered into a strategic partnership with Walt Disney Company Korea (Disney Korea) to collaborate on the global expansion and crossover of K-pop IPs. Through this partnership, Kakao Entertainment will combine its leadership in IP business across the K-culture ecosystem with Disney’s extensive portfolio of globally beloved story assets. Together, the two companies aim to take the K-IP ecosystem to the next level and create new opportunities on the global stage.

Specifically, Kakao Entertainment and Disney Korea will collaborate on projects that bring together K-pop IP and Disney’s stories and characters, with approximately 10 projects planned over the mid to long term. The companies will explore various avenues for collaboration, including the potential creation of a “K-culture fund” (tentative name.)

At the heart of this partnership is the combination of Kakao Entertainment’s expertise in K-pop and K-culture with Disney’s globally beloved stories and characters, unlocking new possibilities for K-pop IP.

Kakao Entertainment has built a multifaceted fan experience by producing and distributing a wide range of K-culture IP, spanning music, drama, and webtoons, while extending IP across multiple areas through live entertainment, commerce, and its global fan platform. Building on its expertise and leadership in IP business, the company will join hands with Disney to create new worlds where K-pop IP and Disney’s storytelling organically come together, with plans to expand them across music, content, commerce, live entertainment, and more. Through these efforts, the companies aim to offer fans worldwide a rich and immersive experience that transcends time and space.

“K-pop today has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon shaping trends across areas including fashion, beauty, and lifestyle,” Kakao Entertainment said. “Through this partnership, we look forward to bringing K-pop artists and music together with Disney’s stories – which have been loved around the world for generations – and expanding them into new worlds. We expect this to offer global fans a special kind of joy and inspiration that they have never experienced before.”

Josh Piedra

Senior Editor, Anime & Manga

Josh has been an anime fan for over twenty years. In addition, he is a light novel author with 38 books published across 5 series! He is also the owner of Meteora Press, his personal dba serving as a publishing label. Anime and otaku culture isn't Josh's only area of expertise. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and has created a handful of independent games along with a deep working knowledge of the gaming industry.