Korea Secures Major Music Royalty Agreements with China

Korean musical works are set to receive royalties more efficiently from Chinese digital music platforms, following landmark licensing agreements signed between China’s leading music copyright body and the country’s two largest streaming services.

The Music Copyright Society of China (MCSC) formalised agreements with Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music, the Korea Music Copyright Association (Komca) confirmed on Tuesday. These deals are expected to streamline royalty collection for Korean songs used across China’s vast digital music market.

MCSC, a collective management organisation responsible for administering music copyright holders’ rights in China, operates under a reciprocal representation agreement with Komca. Under this framework, it collects royalties for Korean musical works used in China and transfers the proceeds to Komca, which then distributes them to artists and composers.

Historically, Komca has faced significant challenges in collecting royalties from China due to the country’s complex regulatory environment and the structure of its digital music industry. To overcome these obstacles, Komca has engaged in ongoing consultations with MCSC and direct discussions with major Chinese music platform operators.

In 2025, Komca officials visited Beijing to review the status of K-pop licensing operations in China and explore ways to exchange operational and usage data with MCSC. That same year, former Komca vice president Park Haki, alongside K-pop producer Lee Soo-man of A20 Entertainment, met with Tencent Music executives to discuss practical aspects of using Korean music in China, platform structures, and royalty flows.

As a result of these sustained efforts, MCSC signed a licensing agreement with Tencent Music in November 2025. The deal, witnessed by officials from the National Copyright Administration of China and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, includes retroactive provisions covering prior usage, thereby closing a longstanding licensing gap. MCSC also finalised a similar agreement with NetEase Cloud Music in September 2025, also including retroactive terms, while negotiations for future licensing periods continue.

Komca highlighted that these agreements provide a solid foundation for a more transparent and efficient royalty collection and distribution process.

“I am pleased that a meaningful turning point has been reached on China royalties, for which we have long sought corrective measures,” said Lee Si-ha, singer-songwriter and president-elect of Komca. “Building on the association’s groundwork and my experience tracking this issue, I will ensure these agreements swiftly translate into tangible royalty payments for our members.”

Summary of Recent China Licensing Agreements

These agreements mark a significant step in strengthening Korea-China music industry relations and ensuring that Korean artists receive fair compensation for their works in the world’s second-largest music market.