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Melon
Platform · Platforms
Melon is Kakao's music-streaming stronghold and the platform that quietly decides which K-pop songs chart, giving one conglomerate outsized power over what Korea listens to.
By the numbers
In the news
Australia’s prime minister refuses to apologise to Japanese counterpart over melon gaffeThe Guardian · Aug 11, 2026Australian PM in sexism row over ad lib about Japanese melonsThe Times · Aug 11, 2026Albanese refuses to say sorry for ‘insulting’ melon joke about Japan PMSouth China Morning Post · Aug 11, 2026China experts explain why sleeping with winter melons can cause explosionsSouth China Morning Post · Aug 10, 2026Melon expands Global-K content with Stray Kids cross-border interview - CHOSUNBIZbiz.chosun.com · Aug 7, 2026Spotify overtakes Melon to become South Korea’s second-biggest music streaming service, report findsMusic Business Worldwide · Aug 5, 2026
The company behind Melon
KakaoKRX:035720 · Kakao touches messaging, webtoons, music, and entertainment distribution in everyday Korean digital life.How attention becomes money
1 — Discover the surface
2 — Use the platform repeatedly
3 — Follow the community or creator loop
4 — Spend, subscribe, or transact
5 — Keep coming back
Label-mates · 5
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