"We're creating an ecosystem where creators don't starve through AI-based music generation," said Neutune CEO Jongpil Lee.

AI Korean traditional music singing technology unveiled at CES 2026… "Killing two birds with one stone: cultural transmission and global expansion."

– 'MixAudio' builds a music archive through an intelligent distribution platform that matches creators and consumers beyond simple creation.

– Aiming for global standards in line with the changing paradigm of music consumption

Solving the "distribution" problem in the era of music AI

Lee Jong-pil, who completed his doctoral program at KAIST's Graduate School of Culture Technology, founded Neutune, an AI music distribution solution company, in 2020. While AI and the music industry were an unfamiliar combination at the time, Lee set out to solve a long-standing industry challenge: fair revenue distribution for music creators. "I chose this path to build a music AI and AI agent system, a digital music distribution and settlement infrastructure, and a generative music ecosystem," Lee explained.

Generative AI is transforming the music industry. While we've entered an era where professional-quality soundtracks can be created with just a few lines of text, the question of who will receive that music and how the profits will be distributed remains a lingering concern. This is where CEO Lee saw an opportunity. Beyond simply using AI to create music, he aims to use technology to solve fundamental questions in the music economy: who created it, where it will be used, and how will the profits be shared?

To understand Neutune's core service, "MixAudio (Mix.audio)," as simply an "AI music creation tool" would miss its essence. This CEO defines MixAudio as "a new operating system (OS) for the music economy."

"The market is already overflowing with music-generating AI," the CEO explained. "But what really matters is how the music is used, how that use is measured, and how the value and profits are distributed. This is precisely what we're focusing on."

MixAudio leverages AI to analyze the components of music and, based on this analysis, builds an infrastructure that precisely connects creators and the music they use. For example, when a YouTuber creates music for a vlog or remixes, the system tracks the factors that influenced that music, ensuring fair compensation for the creator.

In the age of AI, music is not simply consumed; it's created, transformed, and used in various forms. The key is to transparently measure this usage and ensure creators are appropriately compensated. Making this process technologically feasible will allow creators greater freedom in their creative endeavors, and users will enjoy a richer music experience.

This is why Neutune is obsessed with improving its distribution algorithm. No matter how much technology advances, the ecosystem cannot sustain itself if the benefits aren't distributed fairly to creators.

The rhythm of traditional Korean music implemented with AI

"Gugak is the most challenging genre to implement with AI. But paradoxically, that's also what makes it the most powerful differentiator."

The AI-based Korean traditional music singing technology that CEO Lee unveiled at CES 2026 last January was recognized as a new possibility for cultural transmission, going beyond a simple technology demonstration. Unlike Western music, Korean traditional music has unique sigimsae (subtle vibrations and changes in pitch) and atypical breathing patterns, making data capture extremely challenging. However, Neutune has perfectly implemented this, leveraging high-quality learning data built in collaboration with the National Gugak Center and the Korea Culture and Information Service under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The representative stated, "Gugak has a unique rhythm and rhythmic quality that makes it extremely difficult to digitize. However, paradoxically, its rarity becomes our most powerful weapon in the global market. Through collaboration with various public institutions, we've built high-quality learning data, paving the way for our traditional music to expand into global content through AI."

This representative sees the potential for "K-Gugak" (traditional Korean music) as the next "K-POP" trend. This is because AI technology can serve as a conduit for reinterpreting traditional music into modern content and making it easily accessible to creators around the world.

AI is not the creator's enemy, but their most powerful distribution partner.

At the heart of the debate surrounding AI music is the constant question of "the survival of creators." Some worry that AI will encroach on the domain of human musicians and take their jobs. However, CEO Lee's perspective is diametrically opposed.

This representative expressed confidence that AI technology will, in fact, contribute to increasing the overall market share by maximizing the efficiency of the music industry and its distribution channels. While music previously had to go through record labels and distributors to reach consumers, AI can now shorten this process and lower costs.

“While technology can transform the music industry, people must always be at the center of it,” said the representative. “Neutune’s reason for existing is to create a structure where creators don’t starve, but rather have more opportunities, even in the age of AI,” he said, declaring his commitment to leading the change.

Creating Global Standards with K- Tech

Neutune's sights are now set on the global market. Its plan is to continuously advance its AI singing and distribution technology and demonstrate the power of K-tech through various global partnerships.

"The music consumption experience is already shifting from 'listening' to 'participating and varying,'" the representative explained. "We're entering an era where people remix music on TikTok and create their own background music in games. Within this massive trend, Neutune will become the most trusted platform connecting creators and consumers around the world."

The era of AI-powered music generation is already underway. The remaining challenge is to create a system that ensures fair distribution of that music. It remains to be seen whether Neutune's new music economic model can become the industry standard.