WOODZ of EDAM Entertainment (top) and KiiiKiii of Starship Entertainment [Kakao Entertainment]
WOODZ of EDAM Entertainment (top) and KiiiKiii of Starship Entertainment [Kakao Entertainment]

Artists under Kakao Entertainment's labels are making their mark in overseas music markets. WOODZ and KiiiKiii have both landed on The FADER's "30 Best Albums of the First Half of 2026" list, drawing attention from global fans and critics alike.

Kakao Entertainment is accelerating its global expansion, leveraging its network of major local partners, management capabilities, and expertise in music IP distribution and marketing, industry sources said Monday.

The company is broadening its reach in overseas markets by promoting a diverse range of K-pop IP, including artists from its own labels and SM Entertainment.

WOODZ, signed to EDAM Entertainment, released his first full-length album, "Archive. 1," in March, showcasing his musical identity as a singer-songwriter and producer. The FADER described the record as one that "breathes fresh air into K-pop, moving freely between rock, ballads and pop across 17 tracks."

WOODZ is currently on a world tour of the same name. After kicking off in Incheon and completing stops across Asia — including Japan, Singapore and Indonesia — he launched the European leg in Berlin on Saturday. The tour continues to London and Paris before heading to South America and North America. Seven additional North American cities have also been confirmed.

Interest in South America is also growing. Ahead of shows in São Paulo and Mexico City in July, "Archive. 1" entered the iTunes Top Albums chart in Brazil. Billboard Brazil has also spotlighted WOODZ's music and activities, reflecting rising local interest.

KiiiKiii, a girl group under Starship Entertainment, also made The FADER's best albums list. The outlet called the group "one of the most exciting K-pop acts right now" and praised their second mini-album, "Delulu Pack," as a work that "reinterprets Y2K sensibilities while organically connecting K-pop's past and present."

Since their debut last year, KiiiKiii have quickly gained international attention on the strength of a distinctive concept and sound. NME and Billboard have both highlighted the group's music and assessed their potential as a next-generation K-pop act.

"Delulu Pack" has charted on the Billboard Global (excluding the US) chart for eight consecutive weeks. The title track "404 (New Era)" swept three music show wins in South Korea. KiiiKiii recently performed at the Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival in Tokyo 2026, held in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, as the only K-pop girl group on the lineup.

Meanwhile, Kakao Entertainment is also expanding its global reach at the platform level. Melon launched the "Global-K Chart" on June 1, integrating K-pop listening data from South Korea, China and Japan in partnership with Tencent Music Entertainment and Line Music of Japan.


rim@heraldcorp.com