September 15, 2009

By By Billboard staff

Billboard will launch in South Korea through a partnership with Korean media company ViewLife, Inc. The first-ever Billboard Korea charts will launch with a consumer Korean language music Web site and mobile music applications.

Billboard and ViewLife will work with the Korea Entertainment Producer's Association (KEPA) - a non-profit Korean association - to develop the Billboard Korea charts. The charts will follow Korean pop artists as well as artists from around the world.

"South Korea is a key music market, and we're thrilled to be working with ViewLife and KEPA to bring new and exciting digital/mobile products as well as Billboard charts - the measure of success in music - to this country," said Howard Appelbaum, Publisher of Billboard. "Billboard has successfully launched in major territories such as Japan, Turkey and Russia, and Billboard Korea is the perfect way to expand the brand's ongoing international efforts."

"This will be the stepping stone to for us take Korean music to the world. KEPA will be able to provide its artist with a larger market and a greater vision in a more efficient and realistic method," said Jung Dae Ahn, Chairman of KEPA.

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