Ava Labs, the developer behind the Avalanche blockchain network, is working to introduce web3 technologies to improve intellectual property management in the fast-growing K-pop market.
Justin Kim, who leads Ava Labs’ operations in South Korea, discussed the company’s strategic moves to bring blockchain solutions to the forefront of the entertainment sector in an interview with DL News on June 25.
K-pop, known for its huge and dedicated fan base, is expected to generate significant revenue from events and merchandise in the coming years. Based on recent research, the market is expected to reach $20 billion by 2031.
Ava Labs aims to leverage this potential by integrating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other web3 applications to increase fan engagement and ensure fair compensation for artists.
Intellectual property management
Kim said the K-pop industry faces major challenges in financial transparency as artists often do not receive their fair share of revenue from merchandise and content sales.
Blockchain technology, especially NFTs, can provide a solution by recording exact sales figures and ensuring transparent transactions. Kim said Ava Labs has formed partnerships with South Korea’s major industrial conglomerates, known as “chaebols,” to facilitate the adoption of Web3 technologies.
Kim highlighted a notable partnership with SK Group, the country’s third largest conglomerate, which began working with Ava Labs last year. The partnership focuses on implementing NFT-based ticketing systems for K-pop concerts, leveraging SK Group’s extensive technology infrastructure.
Kim added that partnering with large, established companies is crucial for retail adoption because these companies already have a significant user base that smaller Web3 startups often lack.
Kim said the use of NFTs for K-pop merchandise will allow artists to have a “clear and transparent sales record” that will ensure appropriate compensation and address a “long-standing problem in the industry.”
Extend Web3 technology
Ava Labs has also invested in Titan Content, a creative studio that combines K-pop with NFTs and other Web3 innovations. Titan Content is led by Han Se-min, the former head of SM Entertainment, South Korea’s largest K-pop agency, known for managing popular groups such as EXO and NCT.
In addition, Ava Labs is exploring opportunities in South Korea’s vibrant online gaming market. In March, the company announced plans to bring Nexon’s popular game MapleStory into the crypto space by including NFTs as in-game assets, making trading between players easier.
As Ava Labs continues to expand its presence in Asia, with offices in Japan, Vietnam and India, the company’s innovative approach to integrating blockchain technology into mainstream industries underlines its commitment to driving digital transformation.