ICMP, the global music publishing trade body, unveils the appointment of several top industry executives to its industry metrics expert group, and to its dedicated Asia Pacific regional group.

John Reston, Universal Music Publishing Group president of global administration, is named as chair of ICMP’s Industry Metrics Expert Group, the recently-formed specialized international group that’s populated by senior representatives of member companies and selected execs from its 80 national industry trade associations.

As chair, Reston will guide a group that was instrumental in the creation of the first-ever ICMP Music Publishing Markets Analysis.

At the same time, Damian Rinaldi, CEO of AMPAL, ICMP’s Australasian national trade body member, is appointed as chair of ICMP Global Regional Group – Asia Pacific, one of five regional bodies that includes North America, Europe, LatAm and Africa. Each of those groups gather ICMP’s companies, national group MPAs and ICMP teams to tackle region-specific market issues.

The newly-appointed vice chair for APAC is Frederica Wong, Asia director for Kobalt Music Group.

“APAC remains ICMP’s busiest region, it being one of intense industrial challenges, sharp market growth and advocacy challenges – from Australia to South Korea, from Hong Kong to India, and beyond,” comments John Phelan, ICMP director general.

The trade body’s industry metrics group, he continues, has underpinned the first-ever Music Publishing Markets Analysis survey, “and we have exciting future plans.”

Adds Jackie Alway, ICMP chair and Universal Music Publishing Group EVP / MPA U.K.: “ICMP’s Expert and Regional Groups play a vital role in shaping the operations and future directions of our industry across multiple facets.”

ICMP represents roughly 90% of the world’s commercially released music — more than 170 million tracks. Last year, the organization’s first-ever report on international music revenue found that the earnings from 16 of the top music markets was worth more than $11 billion. The actual global total is much higher.

More recently, in December 2026, ICMP welcomed Believe Music Publishing as a worldwide member, adding the company to its “professional membership” ranks.

ITZY will return to Australia and New Zealand in April 2026, confirming a three-date arena run that marks the group’s first tour of the region with all five members since their debut.

The dates form part of ITZY’s 3RD WORLD TOUR <TUNNEL VISION>, named after the group’s 2025 mini-album TUNNEL VISION.

The upcoming run follows the group’s sold-out Australian arena shows in 2024 and signals their continued momentum in the region as K-pop touring demand remains strong across Australia and New Zealand.

The tour will open in Melbourne on Friday, April 17, with a show at John Cain Arena, before moving to Sydney’s TikTok Entertainment Centre on Sunday, April 19. The run will conclude in Auckland on Wednesday, April 22, with a performance at Spark Arena.

A range of pre-sale options will be available ahead of the general on-sale. In Australia, Mastercard cardholders will have access to tickets on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 1 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. local time via the Mastercard Priceless platform. In New Zealand, eligible Westpac customers holding a Westpac New Zealand Mastercard can access tickets during the same window through the Priceless NZ website.

Additional pre-sale access will be available for fans in both Australia and New Zealand through tour promoter Live Nation, beginning Thursday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m. local time. That pre-sale will run for 24 hours, followed by the general public on-sale on Friday, Jan. 16, at 2 p.m. local time. Full ticketing details are available via Live Nation Australia and New Zealand.

Formed in 2019 under JYP Entertainment, ITZY consists of members Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna. The group has built a global following through music centered on themes of self-confidence, independence and identity, paired with high-impact choreography and performance-driven releases.

Since their debut, ITZY have released eleven mini-albums, including TUNNEL VISION, alongside three full-length albums: Crazy In Love (2021), Ringo (2023) and Collector (2025). Their most recent releases have continued to expand the group’s international reach, with touring playing a central role in their global strategy.

The April 2026 dates reinforce Australia and New Zealand’s position as key markets for major K-pop tours, following a steady increase in arena-level bookings across the region over the past several years.

ITZY 3RD WORLD TOUR <TUNNEL VISION>

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 2026

Friday 17 April – John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Sunday 19 April – TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney

Wednesday 22 April – Spark Arena, Auckland

“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters won best original song at the 2026 Golden Globes, which were presented Sunday (Jan. 11) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The fizzy smash is the first song from an animated film to win at the Globes since Prince’s “The Song of the Heart” from Happy Feet, which won in 2007.

HUNTR/X’s recording of “Golden” logged eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Only one other song that topped the Hot 100 for eight or more weeks went on to win the Globe: “You Light Up My Life” from the 1977 film of the same name. The Joseph Brooks song was a 10-week Hot 100 leader for Debby Boone.

The Globes credited “Golden” to composers Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Park Hong Jun and lyricists Kim Eun-Jae (EJAE) and Mark Sonnenblick. EJAE also popularized the song as a member of HUNTR/X (along with Audrey Nuna and REI AMI).

EJAE and Sonnenblick accepted the award at the ceremony. EJAE’s speech was highly personal. “When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fulfill one dream – to become a Kpop idol and I was rejected and disappointed,” she said. “My voice wasn’t good enough and so I leaned on songs and music to get through it. Now I’m here as a singer and songwriter, so it’s a dream come true to be part of a song that is helping other girls and other boys and everyone of all ages to get through their hardship and to accept themselves.”

Ludwig Göransson’s music for Sinners won best original score. It’s the Swedish composer’s second win in that category in the last three years. He won two years ago for Oppenheimer. Göransson is the first composer to win in this category twice inside of three years since Justin Hurwitz won for La La Land in 2017 and First Man in 2019.

Both “Golden” and Sinners won in those same categories a week ago at the Critics Choice Awards. Having won at both shows, history suggests they are very likely to also prevail at the Oscars.

Of the 11 previous songs to win at both the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes, nine went on to win the Oscar. They are “The Weary Kind,” “Skyfall,” “Glory,” “City of Stars,” “Shallow,” “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again),” “No Time to Die,” “Naatu Naatu” and “El Mal.”

Of the 17 previous scores to win at both shows, 12 went on to win the Oscar. They are The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Slumdog Millionaire, Up, The Social Network, The Artist, The Hateful Eight, La La Land, The Shape of Water, Joker, Soul, Dune and Oppenheimer.

“Golden” and Sinners were both shortlisted in those categories at the Oscars. This year’s Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22. The awards will be presented on March 15.

The award for best original score wasn’t presented on the Globes telecast; the winner was just mentioned following a commercial break. The score award wasn’t presented last weekend on the Critics Choice Awards either, just mentioned in a cluster of non-televised awards.

The Golden Globes are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.

KPop Demon Hunters isn’t done changing culture just yet.

On Sunday (Jan. 11) night at the 2026 Golden Globes, the film’s signature smash “Golden” became the first K-pop song to win the Golden Globes for best original song, motion picture. Performed by HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna & REI AMI) with music by Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Park Hong Jun and lyrics by Kim Eun-Jae (EJAE) and Mark Sonnenblick, “Golden” won the Golden Globe for its aforementioned songwriters.

In her teary acceptance speech, EJAE (Kim Eun-Jae) opened up about rejection, “redirection” and finding her purpose. EJAE said she worked “tirelessly for 10 years” as a young girl to become a K-pop idol, but was “rejected and disappointed” when she was eventually told her “voice wasn’t good enough.”

“So I leaned on song and music to get through it and now I’m here as a singer-songwriter,” she continued. “It’s a dream come true to be part of a song that’s helping other girls, other boys and everyone of all ages to get through their hardships and accept themselves.”

EJAE added, “This award goes to people who had doors closed on them. I can confidently say rejection is redirection. It’s never too late to shine like you were born to be.”

“Golden” became one of the biggest surprise hits of 2025, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. Toward the end of 2025, the singers of HUNTR/X talked to Billboard about their pinch-me moments of their breakout year.

The Golden Globes are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.