TikTok said on Tuesday it will work with the Korea Radio Promotion Association (RAPA) to 추진 an incubation programme for live agencies that plan and operate music-focused TikTok Live content.

TikTok said the programme aims to help startups in music and entertainment produce high-quality live and short-form content based on systematic creator management.

The programme will be run twice a year. Companies that complete it can work as TikTok Live partner agencies after signing a formal contract with TikTok. TikTok aims to onboard a total of 50 startup agencies a year, with 25 in the first half and 25 in the second half.

The first-half course will run from February to June. TikTok will recruit participants from Feb. 27 to March 15 and select 25 companies after screening. Training will run for a total of 16 hours over 4 weeks starting March 26, followed by 12 weeks of hands-on practice in planning and producing content using a studio.

Eligible applicants are startups, either corporations or sole proprietors, with related experience in entertainment, music or artist management. Content companies seeking to expand music live activities by affiliated creators or artists through TikTok Live can apply, and the chief executive must attend the full 4-week training period.

Janson Ryu (젠슨 류), head of TikTok Live in South Korea, said the Korea Radio Promotion Association's production infrastructure and on-site expertise would be a major force in raising the domestic music live ecosystem to the next level. He said TikTok will expand its pool of agencies with operational capabilities through the partnership and steadily build practical operating cases to create a healthy ecosystem where creators and agencies grow together.