Actors Including Byun Wooseok and Chu Youngwoo Join Korea Musicians' Union Amid K-Content Boom

Actor Shin Hyunjoon, a member of the Korea Music Copyright Association. Photo by Korea Music Copyright Association

As the influence of K-content expands, there has been a growing number of cases in which actors who performed songs themselves in dramas and films are securing the rights of music performers.

According to the Korea Musicians' Union on March 4, actors such as Shin Hyunjoon and Byun Wooseok have recently joined as members. Shin Hyunjoon released "If I Hold You in My Arms 2025" with Jung Junho. Byun Wooseok gained attention by participating in the soundtrack of the popular 2024 drama "Carry Sunjae and Run." Last year, actors Chu Youngwoo, Lee Sunbin, Jung Haein, Kim Minseok, and Shin Siyah also became members.

As drama and film music is increasingly consumed through global online video services (OTT) and streaming platforms, songs performed by actors are functioning as independent music content. There is a clear trend of recognizing actors as music performers as well.

Actors who join the Korea Musicians' Union can regularly receive neighboring rights royalties and broadcasting compensation for soundtracks and inserted songs in which they participated. The union manages usage records from a variety of sources—including broadcasters, streaming platforms, and overseas platforms—on behalf of performers. Notably, retroactive payments are also processed through negotiations with business operators for usage that occurred prior to membership.

Leveraging 36 years of accumulated negotiating power, the Korea Musicians' Union collects neighboring rights royalties that would be difficult for individual performers to claim on their own. The use of music on YouTube and overseas streaming platforms is also managed under reciprocal management agreements with foreign performers' organizations.

Kim Seungmin, Executive Director of the Korea Musicians' Union, stated, "The success of K-dramas and films is increasing the value of soundtracks. Songs performed by actors are also a domain of rights that deserve protection, and the expansion of our member spectrum is a case that reflects changes in the industry environment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.