KT Corp., South Korea's top fixed line and No. 2 mobile operator, said Tuesday it has launched its smartphone music app in 45 countries, a move that comes in line with its overseas expansion drive and the growing popularity of K-pop.

Android device users can download the "Genie K-pop" app at Google Play stores in 45 countries, KT said in a press release, adding the country plans to expand the service to 10 additional countries.

The 45 countries include major markets in Asia, Europe and America such as India, Russia and the United States. China and Japan were excluded from the first batch of release countries.

Genie, currently available for both Android and iOS devices in South Korea, was jointly established with KMP Holdings, which distributes seven major labels such as SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment.

With the global launch, KT said overseas users can purchase various K-pop content as well as access exclusive content that was previously only available to local subscribers.

The global release comes as KT is moving to bolster its global business in efforts to tide over stagnant growth in the local telecommunications industry.

Last year, KT said it aims to post an annual revenue of 3.9 trillion won ($3.7 billion) from global business by 2015.

In 2011, the company posted an annual revenue of 25 trillion won, with global sales accounting for roughly 2 percent of the total. (Yonhap News)