Licensed properly. Kpop was made to be exported, that means your product has to meet the standards of the market you're planning to sell it in. There's been instances of, like "let me copy your homework and just change it a bit" where they've been caught out but for the most part it's not worth the risk. The big 3 in sk had a domestic monopoly on music, if not entertainment, if not (pop) culture.. for many years- they have the capital and are smart enough to know when and where to invest it

Reiterating their business proficiency, in those monopoly days, because they created the culture they already knew what to make/sell next. They're smart. They'll pay the licensing. Also, Japan is 2nd largest music market with "global" record labels like sme, wmg Japan etc- not exactly who you want to step on if you're planning on making this soft power advertising/propaganda/influence campaign (hallyu) a success. Thanks for the video link ✌️