It is estimated that at least 50% of K-pop songs are currently off Spotify.
On March 1, several Spotify users went on social media to express their grievances over the inaccessibility of some K-pop songs on the music streaming platform. The reported blackout, later turned out to be a mass removal of songs from Spotify globally due to an expired agreement with Korean distribution label Kakao M.
Later in the day, Spotify and Kakao M issued separate statements regarding the issue. According to the former, the removal of content from their platform was due to the “non-renewal” of their previous agreement with KM. The streaming service also addressed the rumors that the issue was a result of their launch in Korea, rivaling Kakao M’s Melon. They have since brushed off this allegation.
Meanwhile, Kakao M has refuted the statement by saying that they are still yet to reach a new deal with Spotify. Hinting that the affected artists, albums, and songs are likely to return to the platform as soon as possible.
Kakao M handles the distribution of songs from the likes of IU, Mamamoo, GFRIEND, Apink, ASTRO, SEVENTEEN, NU’EST, among many others.
With regards to the remaining K-pop songs on Spotify, those are directly distributed by the labels or other independent third-parties to the platform.