International K-pop fans who use Spotify to stream their favorite artists were dealt a huge blow on March 1. songs and even entire discographies of some K-pop acts represented by the label Kakao M have been abruptly removed for users outside Korea after the global streaming service’s deal with Kakao M, an offshoot of South Korean internet giant Kakao Corp, expired and was not renewed. This comes after Spotify launched its music streaming service in Korea last month, competing with the country’s most popular streaming service, MelOn, which is owned by Kakao Corp.
Tablo of hip-hop group Epik High took to Twitter to his air his frustration with the situation.
While the full number of artists and tracks lost has not been officially disclosed, here are just some of the major acts fans have noticed partially or fully disappearing from Spotify.
IU
Seventeen
Epik High
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GFriend
BtoB
Hyuna
Loona
Monsta X
Mamamoo
Oneus
KARD
VIXX
SF9
Apink
Pentagon
CLC
Astro
Dreamcatcher
The Boyz
Sunmi
CL
Golden Child
Weki Meki
Cravity
Victon
Cosmic Girls (WJSN)
StayC
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Cherry Bullet
Rocket Punch
Momoland
Zico
Taeyeon