Kakao Entertainment said on the 9th that, together with the Kakao Creative Foundation and the music platform Melon, it will participate as the title sponsor of the 23rd Korean Music Awards, to be held on the 26th of this month.
Launched in 2004, the Korean Music Awards is a prestigious ceremony known as the "Grammys of Korea," recognized for balancing popularity and musicality in domestic popular music. A selection committee of 54 experts, including pop music critics, music journalists and editors, and broadcast producers, determines the nominees and winners, and the awards have highlighted the artistic value of popular music beyond the boundaries of genre and commerciality.
At this year's ceremony, Kakao Entertainment will participate as a title sponsor with the Kakao Creative Foundation while also running a support program for rookie artists. Through the "Kakao Creative Foundation & Melon Music Connect Program," the Kakao Creative Foundation plans to provide, after screening, album production support worth 5 million won per person to the winners and nominees of the rookie of the year at the 23rd Korean Music Awards. After the album release, promotional support through Melon will also be provided.
Melon will present a variety of content and events linked to the ceremony. Starting on the 5th, it released playlists featuring songs nominated for the Korean Music Awards; the list of 76 songs includes cross-generational and cross-genre tracks such as YB's "Orchid," Bae Chul-soo's "Ieodo (Parangdo)," HANRORO's "Running Through Time," Lee Chan-hyuk's "Love on the Brink of Extinction," and NMIXX's "Blue Valentine." On the 11th, invitation tickets to the ceremony will be given away through an event magazine that predicts the winners.
A Kakao Entertainment official said, "We are pleased to officially sponsor the Korean Music Awards, which has prioritized artistry and musical diversity," and added, "Through support from the Kakao Creative Foundation and Melon, we will work to help the Korean Music Awards further promote the creativity and diversity of Korea's music industry."