Netflix animated Hit ”KPOP Demon Hunters“Was part of a deeper conversation about how the Superfan economy develops into a full-fledged business, on Singapores All that means something Conference.
Moderated by Bernie Cho, chairman of DFSB Kollective, the session contained Wooseok SEO, CEO of B.stage and former founder of WeeverAnd Jaeson Ma, co -founder and CEO of Openwav. Both managers detailed how their platforms help artists capture superfans and turn passion into income streams.
SEO recalled about creating Weversse with Hybe after seeing BTS Rack up more than 10 million social followers but without ways to capture meaningful fan data. “We launched Weversse and it was very successful … But other labels did not want to join because they did not want to share their information with competitors,” Seo said.
Weversse Company was founded in 2018 and the Weversse platform went live the following year. That insight later led SEO to go away and create B.Stage, a white-marking solution-which means an adaptable fan platform that labels and artists can label as their own-Nu is used by more than 950 artists all over the world. “Anyone who wants their own fanda environment can solve the problem in less than a month,” he added.
Ma described how Openwav swung to focus squarely on independent musicians fighting in the streaming time. With reference to statistics that less than 0.4% of independent artists on Spotify earned $ 10,000, he urged artists to re -prioritize priorities. “Social media will not pay you, even if you have a million followers. Spotify will not pay you, even if you have a million every month listeners,” said MA. “Instead of chasing a million, build 1,000 real fans that give you $ 10 per month – that’s $ 120,000 per year.”
Both managers emphasized the power of the Superfan model-to own data and build direct relationships rather than rely on ad-driven social platforms. “Openwav is the opposite from Instagram or Tiktok,” MA noted. “We are the 1% true fan platform. You own data, IP, the fan conditions.”
For Openwav came a breakthrough with Grammy winner Wyclef Jean who went as Chief Music Officer. “He is a Renaissance musician who has also been deep in technology for over a decade,” said MA. “He preaches the same message – owns your masters, owns your data, owns your fandom.”
Both managers revolved back to “KPOP Demon Hunters.” SEO revealed that B.stage launched the official community for the film within weeks after the publication, sold membership and welcome kits.
Ma described a proof-of-concept event with Kevin Woo, formerly by U-Kiss and a voice actor in the film. Openwav expects a few hundred participants in an ice cream shop in Los Angeles and instead sold 2,600 VIP tickets in 24 hours. “There were literally 2,000 children who got up from 06:00,” said Ma. “Fandom is real. It can definitely make money where there is win-win for both artists and fans.”
