MU:CON to promote globalization of K-pop
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Musicians participating at the annual Seoul International Music Fair, also known as MU:CON, pose during a press conference at Yes24 Move Hall in Seoul on Sept. 22. Organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), MU:CON will take place at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul from Oct. 6 to 8. / Courtesy of KOCCA
4th Seoul Int’l Music Fair to take place on Oct. 6-8 at DDP
By Baek Byung-yeul
The Seoul International Music Fair, also known as “MU:CON,” will begin its fourth edition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul from Oct. 6-8.
MU:CON is an international music market and fair to expose participating artists to the world’s leading music industry people and international audiences. Organized by the state-run Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), it comprises showcases, business-matching programs and conferences.
For the showcase events, 51 artists from here and abroad will perform. The lineup includes Korean rock bands Hyukoh and Kiha & the Faces, and idol bands B1A4, Girlfriend and MAMAMOO. In addition to K-pop musicians, the showcase features stylistically diverse artists such as Coreyah, a fusion band of folk, funk and traditional Korean music, and doo-wop group The Barberettes.
From overseas, Malaysian rapper Joe Flizzow, Indonesian rock band Hoolahoop and Polish band The KDMS will perform.
KOCCA President Song Sung-gak stressed the importance of MU:CON as a catalyst for globalization of Korean pop music.
“This year marks the fourth edition of MU:CON,” Song said. “Standing shoulder to shoulder with many international music markets and conferences, MU:CON has helped local musicians to step up to global status.”
He also called for support from music fans, saying: “To help keep the MU:CON as a way to a global music market, we need your support.”
The KOCCA said this year’s MU:CON will have the “Song Camp” program, in which artists from local and international scenes collaborate to produce a new song. Participating artists also will be given the opportunity to take part in a “Production Masterclass,” so they can collaborate with overseas producers including Danja, who worked with Britney Spears and Usher, recording engineer Dave Aron and Grammy-winning producer and engineer Mauricio Guerrero.
In the “Director’s Choice” section, directors from the world’s prominent music festivals and conferences, including the South by Southwest (SXSW) of the United States, Music Matters conference of Singapore and France’s Midem, are set to have one-on-one interviews with participating artists.
For more information about the music fair, visit www.mucon.kr.