The 2025 Seoul International Music Fair, widely known as MU:CON, is set to return to Seoul's vibrant Itaewon and Hannam neighborhoods from September 10-13. Now celebrating its 14th year, this premier music industry event will bring together top executives, creators, and tastemakers from around the world under the theme "Music PRISM," which aims to spotlight the immense potential of Korean music on the global stage.
The comprehensive four-day conference will be headquartered at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, featuring an impressive blend of business-to-business programs that include keynote speeches, industry conferences, and networking sessions alongside dynamic music showcases. The opening day on September 10 will kick off with keynote presentations exploring "The New Paradigm of the Music Business" and "The Future of Creation and Distribution Beyond Borders," setting the tone for discussions about the evolving landscape of the global music industry.
The conference programming will feature an extensive array of panel discussions highlighting current global market trends and detailed case studies of successful hit projects. Industry professionals will also have access to open sessions, hands-on workshops, and intensive deep-dive sessions specifically designed to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge for music industry officials looking to expand their understanding of international markets.
Among the notable participants are several high-profile industry figures, including James Matsuki, who serves as music director for Apple TV's critically acclaimed series "Pachinko." The event will also feature renowned music supervisor Thomas Golubic, known for his work on hit television series such as "Breaking Bad" and "The Walking Dead," alongside hitmaker Robin Jenssen, who has an impressive track record of penning more than 160 Billboard-charting tracks, including songs for popular K-pop acts like aespa, NCT, and Le Sserafim.
The public showcases, which represent a major highlight of MU:CON, will take place across multiple prestigious venues including Blue Square Sol Travel Hall, Blue Square Nemo, and Cave House on September 12 and 13. This year's impressive lineup features a total of 46 acts, comprising 33 MU:CON-selected artists who are specifically targeting overseas markets, nine guest artists, and four international acts, creating a diverse and exciting musical experience for attendees.
The September 12 showcase will feature standout performances by Lee Seung-yoon, Grizzly, Jambinai, Khundi Panda, Danpyunsun and the Moments, Lee Lang, and Kisu. The following day, September 13, will bring equally compelling performances by artists including Sion, Hoa, Bulgogi Disco, Jooyoung, and Jaeki. Additionally, five promising emerging artists from the Korea Creative Content Agency's Muse On discovery project will take the stage, including W24, Meaningful Stone, 87dance, Kim Seungju, and Otis Lim.
Guest performers will include an impressive roster of established artists such as Hong Dabin, Zion.T, Beatpella House, 10cm, Saay, O3ohn, Dragon Pony, Superbee, and Uneducated Kid. These performances will provide audiences with a comprehensive view of Korea's diverse and thriving music scene across multiple genres and styles.
A special highlight of this year's event is the Exchange Stage program, which has been specifically designed for international musicians looking to break into the Korean market. Through this program, audiences will have the opportunity to experience performances by Taiwan's rising indie-pop act Imdifficult, Japan's indie-rock band DYGL, singer-songwriter Rejay, and Danish indie outfit Meejah, showcasing the global appeal and international collaboration potential of the event.
Tickets for all showcase events are completely free of charge, with reservations available through NOL Ticket. Any remaining tickets will be distributed on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. For those unable to attend in person, all performances will be broadcast live on the official Korea Creative Content Agency Music YouTube channel, ensuring global accessibility to this significant music industry event.
