March 26, 2026, SEOUL, KOREA – Kakao Entertainment has officially launched a new leadership structure helmed by co-CEOs JungHee Ko and Joseph Chang. The move aims to advance the convergence of technology and content while driving global expansion, as Kakao Entertainment continues to scale its presence in key international markets, including North America, to compete in an increasingly global, platform-driven entertainment landscape.

Kakao Entertainment completed the CEO appointment through the annual general shareholders’ meeting and the board of directors on March 25, formally establishing a new co-CEO structure. Under this system, the company will build stronger synergy between IP and platforms while broadening its global fandom. As global demand for K-content continues to grow and the entertainment industry increasingly shifts toward integrated IP and platform ecosystems, the new structure positions Kakao Entertainment to more strategically expand its reach and audience engagement worldwide.

To date, Kakao Entertainment has rapidly increased its global visibility by leveraging its strengths in content IPs – music, story, and media – as well as entertainment platforms. Its global influence will be further enhanced with the addition of Ko, who has extensive knowledge and experience in developing innovative service strategies centered on platforms and AI. By combining Ko’s expertise with the IP, global business insights and networks of its existing co-CEO Chang, Kakao Entertainment aims to fortify its global market position. 

The company has also realigned its business operations, with the two leaders taking the helm of the platform and global businesses, respectively. Ko will oversee the Chief Platform Officer (CPO) unit, a new division managing the platform services business. Chang will lead the newly established Global Growth Center, created to broaden the company’s global business presence. Together, they will further integrate Kakao Entertainment’s IP value chain and elevate its profile worldwide.  

Ko, co-assuming the CPO role, will focus on innovation and enhancement of IP platforms. Known for her trend-setting strategies in service planning and user experience across IT and mobile banking, she will further elevate Kakao Entertainment’s platforms, including Melon (music streaming,) KakaoPage (web novels and webtoons,) and Berriz (K-culture fandom). Coupled with her expertise in data- and AI-driven transformation, Ko is expected to drive the advancement of these platforms, thereby offering differentiated user experiences tailored to each of them. Prior to joining Kakao Entertainment, she served as the Head of AI Group, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO,) and Chief Service Officer (CSO) at Kakao Bank.

As head of the Global Growth Center, Chang will concretize Kakao Entertainment’s global growth roadmap. He plans to further strengthen the competitiveness of the IP business by connecting the planning, production, and distribution of IP across music, story, and media. At the same time, he will build a portfolio of globally influential IPs through expansion and diversification. Chang will also explore new business opportunities with a focus on deepening the company’s footprint in the U.S. market through partnerships, distribution, and localized strategies. Chang, who previously served as CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Korea and co-CEO of Sony Music Entertainment’s Asia Hub, was named co-CEO of Kakao Entertainment in 2024. Since then, he has widened K-pop’s global scope and fostered greater exchanges in K-pop through partnerships.

The leadership restructuring underscores Kakao Entertainment’s broader ambition to operate as a global entertainment company that integrates content, platforms, and fandom at scale.

“We will blend Kakao Entertainment’s IP competitiveness with our entertainment-specialized platform capabilities to create stronger synergy, thereby expanding the global fandom ecosystem of K-culture,” Ko and Chang said.