Leaplay Music
Seoul-based label bridging international and Korean music scenes.
Leaplay Music is a Seoul-based record label established in 2009. Its main activities involve licensing, bringing foreign artists into the Korean music scene, and staging concerts and showcases. The label has worked with well-known international acts like Chris Garneau, Angus & Julia Stone, and Michelle Shaprow, as well as local Korean bands such as Mighty Coala and Starry-Eyed. In 2011, Leaplay expanded into jazz by introducing New York City-based jazz singer Nina Vidal. The following year, it released material from former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, who also made a comeback appearance at the Jisan Valley Rock Festival. Also in 2012, Michelle Shaprow and Norwegian rock band Bellman performed at Korea’s Grand Mint Festival. In 2013, Pet Shop Boys played at the new Super Sonic Korea festival, and the label released titles in Korea by Backstreet Boys, Goldfrapp, Moby, and Olivier Libaux.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2009
- Founder
- Ken Suh / Joon Kim
- Distributor
- Bugs Corp.
- Genre
- Various
- Location
- Seoul
- Country
- South Korea
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Leaplay Music was founded in 2009 in Seoul, South Korea, focusing on licensing work and bringing international musicians to the Korean market. The label gained recognition for its roster of successful international artists, including Chris Garneau, Angus & Julia Stone, and Michelle Shaprow, while also working with domestic bands such as Mighty Coala and Starry-Eyed. In 2011, the label expanded its music genres to include jazz, introducing NYC-based jazz singer Nina Vidal. The following year, in 2012, Leaplay released James Iha, former guitarist of Smashing Pumpkins, who had a breakthrough comeback show at Jisan Valley Rock Festival. That same year, American singer-songwriter Michelle Shaprow and Norwegian rock band Bellman performed at the Grand Mint Festival, described as the best autumn music festival in Korea. In 2013, Pet Shop Boys performed at the new summer rock festival Super Sonic Korea, and the label released titles by Backstreet Boys, Goldfrapp, Moby, and Olivier Libaux in Korea.
Reader's Guide
Leaplay Music occupies a niche role in the Korean music industry as a licensing and concert-organizing label that bridges international and domestic acts. Its significance lies in its ability to introduce foreign artists to Korean audiences, as seen with the 2012 performances of Michelle Shaprow and Bellman at the Grand Mint Festival, and the 2013 release of major international acts like Backstreet Boys, Goldfrapp, Moby, and Olivier Libaux in Korea. The label also supported domestic musicians such as Mighty Coala, Starry-Eyed, Ravie Nuage, and Jung Jae Il. By expanding into jazz in 2011 with Nina Vidal and facilitating the comeback show of James Iha at Jisan Valley Rock Festival in 2012, Leaplay demonstrated versatility in genre and artist promotion. Its legacy is tied to its role as a conduit for cross-cultural music exchange, though its specific long-term impact remains tied to the events and releases documented in the early 2010s.
Did You Know?
- Leaplay Music was founded in 2009 and is based in Seoul, South Korea.
- In 2011, the label expanded its music genres to jazz by introducing NYC-based jazz singer Nina Vidal.
- In 2012, former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha had a breakthrough comeback show at Jisan Valley Rock Festival through Leaplay.
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