Kakao Entertainment taps ex-Kakao Bank AI chief as co-CEO

Kakao Entertainment has selected Ko Jung-hee, former head of AI at Kakao Bank, as its new co-CEO alongside Joseph Chang.
Ko is expected to be formally appointed in late March following shareholder and board approval.
Current co-CEO Kweon Ki-su plans to step down for personal reasons.
The leadership change emphasizes sharpening the company’s global strategy focusing on intellectual property across music, story, and media, while enhancing platform competitiveness.
Ko, who joined the Kakao group in 2002, has experience in service operations, AI innovation, and management of community platforms like Daum Cafe and Japan operations.
The company believes Ko’s background in AI and financial services will positively impact Kakao Entertainment’s platform and service improvements.
In the new structure, Ko will focus on refining platform and service strategies with a focus on innovation and competitiveness.
Joseph Chang will continue to expand global intellectual properties and overseas operations, including large-scale international projects and K-pop distribution.
In a joint statement, both Chang and Ko emphasized the intent to deepen synergies across the company’s intellectual property value chain and grow its global entertainment industry presence.