The Korea Music Label Industry Association (hereinafter KMIA) will hold the '2026 Seoul Music Forum' from November 1 to 2 at BRST Studio & Live House in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

This year's forum discusses sustainable growth strategies for independent labels under the theme "Independent, Connected, Global: The Next Chapter for Music Labels." It examines the changing environment of the music industry and provides a platform for domestic and international stakeholders to interact and collaborate.

The Seoul Music Forum, which began in 2015, has addressed major issues in the music industry every year. It was held under the theme "Music, with COVID-19" in 2021 and "Reboot, Music Again" in 2022. Last year, under the theme of "International Collaboration," discussions covered the Asia-Pacific music market, digital distribution, and exchanges in indie music. This year, the agenda is being expanded to include changes in fandom and music consumption patterns, global business strategies, and the protection of music rights.

The forum will focus on 'Audience, Experience & Technology' on the first day and 'Business & Global' on the second. Domestic and international music industry experts will analyze market changes and share strategies for independent labels and artists to secure global competitiveness.

On November 1st, the focus is on the culture and fandom changes of Asian Gen Z. Josh Jordan, Founder and Head of Strategy at Crosscurrent, will deliver the opening keynote speech, "Asian Gen Z Creating Their Own Worlds: Fantasy, Identity, and Connection." He will examine the impact of changes among Asia's young generation on the music industry through the proliferation of virtual and AI entertainment, the blending of global and local cultures, and the emergence of new cultural communities.

In 'The New Economics of Fandom,' Josh Jordan, Kanjian Vice President Tinko Georgiev, and Yang, Co-founder and Director of the Asian Music Industry Festival, share their insights. Hosted by pop music critic Lim Hee-yoon, the session covers the consumption patterns of fandoms shifting toward experience-oriented activities such as concerts and festivals. Topics discussed include festival lineup composition, participation opportunities for emerging artists, low-budget tour operations, and ticket sales strategies.

Following this, 'Indie Without Borders: Korea-UK Exchange and Popular Music Cooperation via the WIN Network' will feature Nina Radojewski, Head of Membership at the Association of Independent Music (AIM), and Noh Gun-sik, Co-CEO of Sound Republica. Moderated by Fluxus CEO Park Jun-seok, the session will review the current status of indie music exchange between Korea and the UK and discuss cross-border cooperation models utilizing the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) as well as strategies for sustainable exchange.

On November 2nd, the program continues with a focus on cooperation within the Asian music industry, the global expansion of domestic artists, and the protection of music rights and revenue. The keynote speech, "The Culturally Neutral Republic of Korea and Asian Music Solidarity: Toward Win-Win Governance for Independent Labels Amidst Global Hegemony," will be delivered by Professor Lim Ji-oh of Sookmyung Women's University. She will analyze structural changes in the global music market and the challenges facing Asian independent labels, and propose solutions for mutual growth through cross-border cooperation and joint business models.

"Practical Guide to Global Expansion: Roadmaps and Case Studies for Domestic Artists' Global Entry" features Professor Lim Ji-oh, Indie Week founder Darryl Hurs, Music at Work BV founder Rick Haayen, and United Future Creators founder Hide Kawada. Based on case studies of overseas expansion, the session will examine key entry routes such as showcases, festivals, and Sync. It will also share practical strategies necessary for international activities, including budgeting, visas, and local partnerships. The session will be hosted by Lee Kyu-young, CEO of Ruby Records.

The final session, 'Protecting Value: Fair Settlement, Streaming Abuse, and Rights Protection in the AI Era,' features a panel including Kaoruko Hill, General Manager for Asia-Pacific at Merlin; Jay Winship, CEO of APX Royalties Pte Ltd; Sohail Hasan, Rights Manager at Xelon Entertainment; and Luke McQueen, founder of Velvetjam. The session will address current issues regarding music rights protection and fair revenue distribution, such as revenue infringement caused by abnormal streaming, changes in settlement models, and the management of metadata, ISRC, and credits. Sound Republica Co-CEO Noh Gun-sik will moderate the discussion on protecting the interests of independent labels and sustainable revenue structures.

In addition to the official sessions, networking programs and showcases will be held over two days. Participants will be able to interact with domestic and international music industry professionals and experience music by various artists. The purpose is to seek new opportunities for cooperation by connecting industry issues discussed at the forum with on-site exchanges.

An official from the Korea Music Industry Association stated, “The Seoul Music Forum is a venue where domestic and international music industry stakeholders gather to share industry changes and challenges, and to build practical exchange and cooperation networks,” adding, “This year, we will continue to create new possibilities for cooperation through various discussions aimed at the sustainable growth of independent labels and the mutual prosperity of the global music industry.”

Meanwhile, the '2026 Seoul Music Forum' is open to anyone interested in the music industry. Registration is available via the link on the Korea Music Label Industry Association's official social media profile, and detailed program information and participation guidelines can be found on the association's official channels.

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