For this weeks ‘Thursday 13’ we take a look at 13 entertainment companies. Some you will have definitely heard of, such as SM, YG and JYP, which are known as the ‘big 3’, but then there will be others you might not have heard of so let’s check them out!
1) SM Entertainment
One of the biggest labels in the Kpop industry, SM Entertainment is the home to huge artists such as Super Junior, SNSD, SHINee, EXO, f(x), TVXQ and BoA. Founded in 1989 by Lee Soo Man, it was the home to original idol groups such as H.O.T, S.E.S, and Shinhwa, and currently the home to actors such as Go Ara and Kim Ha Nuel, among many others.
2) YG Entertainment
Another huge record label, YG was founded by Yang Hyun Suk in 1996. It is home to some of the biggest Kpop artists such as BIG BANG, 2NE1, Epik High, PSY and Lee Hi.
3) JYP Entertainment
Founded by J.Y. Park in 1997, JYP is apart of the ‘big 3’ alongside SM and YG. Some of its recording artists include acts such as Wonder Girls, 2AM, 2PM, Miss A, and GOT7.
4) Cube Entertainment
Founded not too long ago in 2006 by Hong Seung Sung and Shin Jung Hwa, Cube Entertainment is home to artists such as 4Minute, B2ST, G.NA, and BtoB. It also has a subsidiary company, A-Cube, founded in 2011, home to artists such as A Pink and Huh Gak.
5) Pledis Entertainment
Pledis Entertainment was founded in 2007 by its CEO Han Sungsoo. Its first artist to debut was Son Dambi, and is now home to other artists such as After School, NU’EST and Hello Venus.
6) Starship Entertainment
Currently consisting of artists such as SISTAR, K.Will and Boyfriend, Starship Entertainment was founded in in 2008 by Kim Shi Dae. It is a subsidiary of Leon Entertainment.
7) TS Entertainment
Founded in 2008 by Kim Tae Song, the company is responsible for managing idol groups such as SECRET and B.A.P.
8) Woollim Entertainment
Founded by CEO Lee Jung Yeop in 2003, Woollim merged with SM Entertainment’s subsidiary SM C&C in 2013, to create an independent ‘Woollim Label’ within the subsidiary. It is home to artists such as INFINITE, Nell and Tasty.
9) NH Media
Also known as NHemg, NH Media was founded by Kim Nam Hee in 1998, and currently manages idols such as UKISS and Big Star.
10) Loen Entertainment
Founded by Min Yeong Bin, it is home to artists such as IU and Sunny Hill.
11) J.Tune Entertainment
A subsidiary of JYP Entertainment, J.Tune Entertainment was founded in 2007 by idol Rain, and fully merged with JYP in November 2013. Within this, J-Tune Camp is a subsidiary housing artists such as MBLAQ.
12) FNC Entertainment
A subsidiary of CJ E&M Music and Live, FNC Entertainment was founded in 2006 by Han Sung Ho. They manage groups such as F.T Island, CNBLUE, Juniel and AOA.
13) Core Contents Media (CCM)
CCM is CJ E&M Music and Live’s main entertainment management label. It manages groups such as Davichi, T-ARA and SPEED.
Comment below if you know of any other companies!
