The Atelier K-pop Conference, held at the French Embassy in Seoul Monday, gathered music industry professionals from South Korea and France to explore the future of K-pop and the evolving global collaboration strategies of the music industry. The event was part of a larger music initiative, running until Saturday, co-organized by the French Embassy, the National Centre for Music (CNM), JYP Publishing and other key K-pop companies, including LEEWAY Music & Media.
Under the theme of "Bridging Cultures, Shaping Futures," the conference aimed to delve into the influence of K-pop and the potential for collaboration between South Korea and France. Notable figures such as Leslie Dubest, CEO of Un Plan Simple, Sim Eun-jee, CEO of JYP Publishing, Chung Hyo-won, CEO of Amplified Corporation and French singer-songwriter Poppy Fusee shared their insights during a panel discussion.
Dubest discussed K-pop’s groundbreaking approach and how it’s influencing global music. “K-pop is special. It’s not just about music — it’s about creating a complete experience that inspires artists worldwide. The way K-pop has integrated artificial intelligence and new technologies, it is redefining how music can be consumed and how artists can evolve,” Dubest said.
Fusee, visiting South Korea for the first time, shared her journey in music and reflected on K-pop’s unique appeal. “K-pop is a world of its own. It’s not just music; it’s an entire culture. I admire how it tells stories and engages with fans in such a profound way. For me, moving from French to English songwriting was a way to reach a global audience, and that’s something K-pop does effortlessly,” Fusee explained.
Sim of JYP Publishing discussed the unique aspects of K-pop production. “K-pop is unlike anything else. It’s not just about catchy songs. It’s about creating narratives that resonate deeply with fans. Fans follow the storylines through each album and are fully immersed in the artist’s journey. The details we put into our music, from concept to choreography, create a bond that keeps fans loyal,” Sim shared.
Amplified Corpration's Chung pointed out the global success of K-pop acts like BTS and Ateez. “The success of K-pop in Western markets shows the power of collaboration. Groups like BTS and Ateez have built massive fanbases, not only in Korea but worldwide. Their music resonates across borders, which is a huge testament to the universal appeal of K-pop,” Chung said.
The event also focused on the growing trend of cross-border collaborations, as seen in the increasing number of K-pop partnerships with international artists. Fusee shared her thoughts on the changing landscape of the French music industry.
“In France, it’s not always easy to sing in a foreign language as it will not do well in the French market. But with K-pop's rise, we’re seeing more French artists willing to step outside their comfort zone and experiment with different languages. It’s exciting to see how K-pop has opened doors for cross-cultural music collaborations.”
As part of the ongoing program, French songwriters such as Fusee, Jean-Noel, Robin and Ugo will stay in Seoul for a week, collaborating with South Korean producers and songwriters. The collaboration will culminate in a songwriting camp featuring JYP Publishing and renowned Korean composer Kim Hyung-suk, aimed at producing music tailored to the K-pop market.
The Atelier K-pop event marks a significant step toward fostering deeper artistic exchanges between France and South Korea, setting the stage for new creative collaborations that could shape the future of global music. As Sim put it, “The potential for cross-cultural music collaborations is limitless, and we are just scratching the surface.”
yoohong@heraldcorp.com
