Going Solo: All the Korean Celebs Who Started Own Agencies in 2023
Why have more and more Korean entertainment stars been opting to establish their own management agencies?
In the Korean entertainment scene, aspiring actors and singers have traditionally gone to established management companies to kickstart their dreams. But as their careers progress and the artists themselves become household names in Korea and abroad, thanks to the Hallyu wave, more and more entertainers have been charting their own course.
While the ‘Big 4’ of the K-pop world (we’re talking SM, JYP, YG and HYBE) still hold immense power, more K-pop idols have been setting up their own entertainment companies, in a move to regain control and reclaim autonomy over their career choices. Whether the decision is fuelled by subpar management at their previous firms or the desire to simply embark upon their own journeys, the Korean idol industry has been seeing an uptick in independently formed agencies that stray away from the big dogs.
Jennie – Odd Atelier
Perhaps the biggest example of the solo agency trend amongst K-pop idols is Jennie’s company Odd Atelier (OA). Founded in November last year, the Blackpink rapper and fashion icon Jennie Kim officially announced the establishment of OA following news of the 27-year-old discontinuing her exclusive contract with YG Entertainment for her solo activities.
D.O (EXO) – Company Soosoo
After 13 years at SM Entertainment, D.O. (or Do Kyung-soo) from EXO announced his departure from the major agency. It was also revealed that the singer and actor would be setting up his own solo agency with his longtime managing director called Company Soosoo. Company Soosoo now exclusively manages D.O.’s solo activities, while SM Entertainment still oversees his promotions with EXO.
Baekhyun (EXO) – INB100
As with D.O., EXO’s Baekhyun also left SM Entertainment in 2023 for his solo activities. Upon his departure, he set up INB100, which takes care of his individual promotions and EXO-CBX. INB100 is also responsible for the individual and unit promotions of the other two members of EXO-CBX, Xiumin and Chen.
Kino (Pentagon) – NAKED
Pentagon’s Kino has also set up his individual agency NAKED. Formerly a part of CUBE Entertainment who currently manages Pentagon and (G)I-DLE, Kino set up NAKED in 2023 to further pursue his full-fledged solo activities.
Rocky (Former ASTRO) – ONE FINE DAY ENTERTAINMENT
Rocky from ASTRO was previously managed by Fantagio, and made his debut with the boy group in 2016. Upon his exit from the group in 2023 following contract renewal discussions, Rocky founded One Fine Day Entertainment as the CEO of his self-established agency, in pursuit of his solo activities. The 24-year-old has already released the mini album ROCKYST under his new agency.
Donghae & Eunhyuk (Super Junior) – ODE Entertainment
Donghae and Eunhyuk of Super Junior, one of the oldest boy groups from SM Entertainment, recently co-founded ODE Entertainment to pursue their solo activities. While the duo remains with their original management company for group activities, ODE promises to showcase the veterans’ unit and solo activities with greater focus, having held their DElight Party World Tour Fancon last year.
Jaejoong (Former TVXQ) – iNKODE
Jaejoong, a former member of legendary second-generation SM Entertainment group TVXQ, announced in May last year that he had set up iNKODE, his own agency, with a former CUBE Entertainment vice president. Since then, Jaejoong has been more active, even starting and hosting a YouTube talk show ‘JaeFriends’.
Sunggyu (INFINITE) – INFINITE Company
Originally formed under Woollim Entertainment, Infinite is one of the most recognisable groups from the second-generation K-pop scene. Last year, the group’s leader Kim Sung-gyu founded INFINITE Company, a management company solely dedicated to promoting the group’s activities after leaving Woollim. The six-member group made a full comeback in July 2023 with their seventh EP 13egin.
Son Suk-goo – Production Company
As opposed to setting up his own management firm, actor Son Suk-goo of My Liberation Notes and D.P., has established his own production company. The actor who has a decade of experience in the field has consistently shown his interest in production, naturally leading him to set up his own firm. His current activities are being overseen by a former manager of his, after leaving his former management company SBD Entertainment.
