28/10/2025
WIN travelled to Seoul and Shanghai from October 19-25 for a week of activities bringing together independent music leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region. Through panels, meetings, presentations, and networking events, the trip strengthened ties between local businesses and regional associations, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving WIN’s APAC Alliance.
WIN kicked off the activities under its BRIDGE project supported by Merlin at the Seoul Music Forum, hosted by LIAK during the Grand Mint Festival. Two panel discussions explored the role of digital distributors in cross-border exchange and the power of collaboration through independent music. DISCO presented how its tools can empower indies worldwide. The WIN APAC delegation, consisting of WIN staff, APAC Alliance members, a Japanese delegation of IMCJ members, and LIAK members, enjoyed the live shows programmed at Seoul’s Olympic Park.
A networking dinner brought together members of IMCJ and LIAK alongside the WIN APAC delegation at the Prism Hall. Participants were able to introduce themselves and engage in conversations about future opportunities for cross-border cooperation. The networking was followed by live showcases of Malo (South Korea), Paldo Blues (South Korea) and JazzWoman (Spain).
At the Asia-Pacific Music Summit, organized by IMCJ and LIAK with the support of Merlin, the WIN APAC delegation took part in a full afternoon of market presentations and panels on building sustainable music networks and harnessing data for growth. It was the first time the Summit was held in South Korea, highlighting the growing collaboration between the two countries.
Representatives from six Asia-Pacific countries (South Korea, Japan, India, New Zealand, China, and Thailand) gathered for an in-person meeting of the WIN APAC Alliance regional network, hosted at Sound Republica’s offices in Seoul. Attendees discussed key regional and local priorities, shared updates on the development of new trade associations, and reviewed early findings from the BRIDGE project’s research.
The trip to South Korea culminated with the first-ever WINHUB International Networking event in Asia, powered by DISCO. Held at the trendy WINE&TAP&SHOP venue in the Hongdae district of Seoul, it connected the South Korean independent community with the WIN APAC delegation, Japanese guests, and Merlin’s board of directors and team. It was a memorable celebration of independence, collaboration, and exchange which brought together 80 participants from 16 countries.
WIN’s journey continued to Shanghai for its first official visit to China, marking an important milestone in strengthening relationships within Asia’s independent music community. A WIN delegation including Noemí Planas, Nerea Serrano, Brendan Gaffney, and Marty Ro attended the IMX Shanghai, one of China’s leading music trade events. As part of its BRIDGE project, WIN hosted a panel on how distributors help independent music reach global platforms while navigating China’s unique market structure. During IMX, we also met with WIN Supporters OpenPlay and SonoSuite.
WIN travelled to Seoul and Shanghai from October 19-25 for a week More
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