Exclusive Overseas Trademark Rights for 'Phenomenon' to JYP? Public Culture Exchange Committee: "Will Transfer to Dedicated Corporation"

Domestic Shares to Be Transferred to Dedicated Corporation
Overseas Authority to Be Finalized After Application

At the press briefing of the Phenomenon Promotion Plan 2027 held last July, Choi Huiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Park Jin Young, Representative Producer of JYP Entertainment, co-chairs of the Committee for Pop Culture Exchange, are responding to questions. Photo by Yonhap News.

Following reports that the overseas trademark rights for the global K-pop festival 'Phenomenon,' scheduled for December next year, would be exclusively held by JYP Entertainment, the Presidential Committee for Public Culture Exchange announced on the 25th that it plans to transfer the related rights to a dedicated corporation responsible for organizing the event in the future.

The Public Culture Exchange Committee stated, "In order to quickly secure rights in overseas markets, JYP Entertainment is currently proceeding with a priority application process," adding, "These rights will also be transferred to the dedicated event organizing corporation in the future." After completing the overseas applications, the committee will also discuss and finalize specific terms for dividing authority.

On the previous day, TV Chosun reported that the domestic trademark rights for Phenomenon are split equally between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and JYP Entertainment, while the overseas trademark rights would be held by JYP Entertainment, according to their contract. The report also questioned whether it is appropriate for a private company to have exclusive ownership of the overseas trademark rights, given that 15 billion won in government funding will be allocated to next year's event.

The Public Culture Exchange Committee explained that JYP Entertainment also initially applied for the domestic trademark rights. Following the launch of Phenomenon, JYP Entertainment filed the trademark application first to secure branding rights, and later handed over a 50% share to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to establish a public-private partnership, converting it into a joint application. The remaining shares held by JYP Entertainment will also be fully transferred to the soon-to-be-established dedicated corporation.

The committee also clarified that the same rationale applied to the initial overseas trademark application by JYP Entertainment. However, the exact timing of the establishment of the dedicated corporation, the specific method by which the trademark rights will be transferred, and how authority will be divided between the government and the private sector after the transfer have yet to be determined. The Public Culture Exchange Committee has stated that these matters will be discussed after the overseas trademark application process is complete.

Phenomenon is a global K-pop festival that the Public Culture Exchange Committee aims to host next year. The committee has previously outlined its vision to develop this festival into a large-scale cultural event that combines performances with corporate exhibitions and various events. Jinyoung Park, Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of JYP Entertainment, and Hwiyoung Choi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, serve as co-chairs of the committee.

Alongside the transfer of trademark rights, the Public Culture Exchange Committee also announced it will establish mechanisms to ensure public interest, such as reinvesting profits from the event. The committee stated, "The government and the committee are committed to upholding public interest by thoroughly establishing institutional arrangements, including reinvesting event operation profits, as they move forward with this initiative." The committee also pledged to ensure that the Phenomenon project proceeds in a stable manner, grounded in public interest and transparency.

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