Lol! I know that feeling. But on the other hand, this'll give you a better opportunity/excuse to dive further into the S. Korean culture and take part in more of what thay have to offer! 

(Or just find an IP relay system that'll let you access those goodies...)

The high levels of piracy in South Korea have nothing to do with any of this.

That gives Grooveshark a headstart now doesn't it...

Why are you guys always picking on Spotify?

I guess DMN forgot to mention South Korean music services like Melon, Mnet, Bugs, Soribada, Dosirak, Cyworld etc...

Melon is the #2 in the world in subscription music with over 3 million paying subscribers.  Mnet has over 1 million paying subscribers.

A weekly #1 song in South Korea get around 500,000 MP3 downloads each week because MP3 are very cheap there.  Google "Gaon Single Chart Wiki" and see the weekly #1 sales.  

South Korea is the MOST ADVANCE DIGITAL MUSIC MARKET IN THE WORLD.

But hey, let's make a point but hiding information.  

Soribada?  Please you just disproved your entire argument.

You're right, this is a look from the outside in (and, a very Western and American perspective).  There are powerful local players, though this is a more complicated discussion that goes beyond imgur-style pics.  

/paul

then why did you post imgur-style pics and nothing more?

The reason is simple.  I'm making one point with this largely pictoral piece, and the commenter is raising another (albeit, highly related) point.  The point of the article was that Western services are basically absent from South Korea (and, other Asian countries, for that matter). 

Why is this, in a so-called borderless internet?  If you had shown me this article 10 years, or even 5 years ago, I'd surprised at how long it takes to create a truly global music service.  These are some of the best-financed, most powerful media companies in ther world.  And, it's difficult to say when this globalization will happen (just look at how long it took Apple to plow through Europe).  

/paul

Yes, you are correct... there are multiple streaming and legal DL platforms in South Korea... HOWEVER, to access most of them you need a Korean ID number and a functional level of literacy in Hangul! It's a closed circuit to non-Koreans!

I cannot say I have seen the same levels of piracy in Korea that exist in say China or Russia; furthermore the South Korean government has implimented one of the most strigent policies protecting intellectual property online...

Subscription music in South Korea cost $5 a month (compare to $10 a month).

They want to drive volume instead of gouging music fans.  

5 million at $5 a month is better than 2.4 million at $10 a month.

MP3s are sold ala carte at $0.60 or emusic model of $5 a month for 40 MP3s.

South Korea music market has been increasing more 10% for each of the past 3 years.  While the music market in the rest of the world has been in decline.

"South Korea music market has been increasing more 10% for each of the past 3 years.  While the music market in the rest of the world has been in decline."

Ugh, according to whom?  And, growing from what?  Let's see some real data.

Not to mention: U.S. market grew in 2011.

With the iTunes and Deezer exceptions... you are facing the same situation in Greece...

you forgot amazon.  that one blows my mind.

no amazon for you.

Regionalism!

You write really shitty letters to your parents.