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HYBE (하이브; stylized as HYBE Corporation) is a South Korean entertainment company. It was originally founded by Bang Si-Hyuk as Big Hit Entertainment in 2005.

It has multiple subsidiaries, including Big Hit Music, Source Music, Pledis Entertainment, KOZ Entertainment, ADOR, YX LABELS, NAECO, Big Machine Label Group and QC Music, collectively known as HYBE Labels.

History[]

2005–2020: Big Hit Entertainment[]

HYBE Corporation was founded on February 1, 2005 as Big Hit Entertainment,[3] and signed the vocal trio 8Eight, consisting of Lee Hyun, Baek Chan, and Joo Hee, in 2007.

In 2010, then-Big Hit Entertainment and JYP Entertainment signed a joint management contract over the boy group 2AM.[4] That year, Bang Si-hyuk launched nationwide auditions and signed RM (formerly known as Rap Monster), as the first member of BTS, which was then followed by the other members of the group.[5][6] BTS made their debut under Big Hit in 2013.[7]

In 2012, the company signed Lim Jeong-hee,[8] and the girl group GLAM was formed as a collaboration between Source Music and Big Hit entertainment. The group was active until 2014, when they disbanded due to a controversy over one of the members, Kim Da-hee, who was sentenced to prison following accusations of blackmail in relation to actor Lee Byung-hun, she was later identified as a sasaeng fan, a dangerously obsessive fan.[9][10][11]

Following the end of the joint contract between Big Hit and JYP Entertainment in April 2014, three of the 2AM members returned to JYP, while Lee Chang-min stayed with Big Hit in order to continue with his solo career and as part of the duo Homme. The year also saw the disbandment of 8Eight after Baek Chan and Joo Hee's contracts with Big Hit ended.

In May 2015, Signal Entertainment Group (Signal), a KOSDAQ-listed company specializing in artist management and television production, acquired Big Hit through a KR₩6 billion (~ million) convertible bond. Signal also owns Better ENT, the agency founded by actor Song Seung-heon, as well as another record label, Jungle Entertainment.[12]

In May 2015, Lim Jeong-hee parted ways with Big Hit Entertainment, following the expiration of her three-year contract with the agency.

In early 2017, BigHit ended their stake relationship with Signal Entertainment Group. BigHit issued a 6 billion won convertible bond Signal Entertainment Group in 2015. After a year, Signal Entertainment Group made a full settlement of the bonds.[13]

In February 2018, Homme disbanded after member Lee Changmin's contract came to an end. He left the company to start his own agency, while Lee Hyun continued on as a solo artist.[14] In October of the same year Big Hit Entertainment announced BTS renewed and extended their contract for seven years.[15]

Former BigHit CBO Yoon Seok-jun was appointed co-CEO of Big Hit Entertainment with Bang Si-hyuk in March 2019. Yoon will focus on the business components of the company while Bang will focus on creative production.[16]

In 2020, BigHit and CJ ENM created a joint venture, Belift+. The new joint venture company held a reality survival show I-LAND, and formed a new boy group: ENHYPEN.

2021–present: HYBE[]

In 2021, Big Hit announced that they would be officially changing their name from Big Hit Labels to HYBE Corporation, to "mark it's start as a comprehensive music company". Bang Si-hyuk had mentioned earlier that the current company label of "Entertainment" was no longer inclusive of everything the agency would be offering. In addition, real estate has also been added to the business purpose. HYBE will rent out practice rooms and auxiliary spaces to their subsidiary companies as well as other affiliates. HYBE already lists music production, performance, management, and internet business as its purposes.[17] On Friday, March 19, they released multiple videos on HYBE, titled "HYBE: NEW BRAND PRESENTATION", "HYBE: WE BELIEVE IN MUSIC", "HYBE: RESTART", "HYBE: HYPER NOMAD", and "HYBE: ABOVE AND BEYOND".

In April of 2021, HYBE officially merged with Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings, home to American stars such as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Ithaca Holdings is now a subsidary of Big Hit America. It was also announced that Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc was investing almost $450 million USD into HYBE.

Company value and investments[]

In 2007, Big Hit Entertainment was near bankruptcy.[18] Due to the success of early groups 8Eight and 2AM, Bang was able to keep the company afloat and later created sensationalist group BTS in 2013. Varying reports consider the current total value of the company at roughly 1T KRW (~891.5M USD).[19] Many consider the company's profit in both the Western and Eastern markets, Big Hit's relatively lenient policies towards their idols' creativity, and innovative music styles to be a cornerstone of the label's success.

Big Hit Entertainment currently operates as a private company. Bang Si-hyuk remains the largest shareholder of Big Hit stock. In March 2017, the Korean mobile gaming company Netmarble acquired the second largest percentage of the company, paying a reported 201.4B KRW (191.8M USD) for 25.71%.[20] The CEO of Netmarble, Bang Joon-Hyuk, and Bang Si-hyuk are cousins. [21]

In March 2018, Big Hit publicized its earnings for the first time, reporting revenue at 92.4B KRW (~82M USD). [22] If entered into an IPO, the company itself could reach a value of up to 700B KRW (~624M USD), potentially ousting the typically powerful "Big 3" companies SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment. This would make CEO Bang the richest in the South Korean entertainment business due to his large shareholding position, and leave him with personal ownership value of roughly 350B KRW (~314M USD). [23]

In August 2018, Big Hit Entertainment and CJ E&M, another Korean entertainment agency, released information stating plans to create a joint company. Filed under the name Belief, the company will reportedly be split 52% to CJ E&M, and 48% to Big Hit. [24] CJ E&M's recent foray into idol production television shows such as Produce 101 and Big Hit's growing global auditions are likely to be the venture philosophy of the new company.

In October 2018, private investment firm STIC Investments received a reported 12% share of Big Hit Entertainment, an investment of roughly 104B KRW (~93M USD).[25] According to the Investor, Big Hit's posted revenue and operating profit of 92.4B (~82M USD) and 32.5B KRW (~29M USD) is expected to return more than double at 230B (~205M USD) and 83B KRW (~74M USD) by the end of 2018.[26] Big Hit was voted best investment company of the year for 2018 at the Korea VC Awards.[27]

In March 2019 the company announced their 2018 audit report. They experienced a 132% increase in sales compared to 2017 making approximately 214.2B KRW, or about US$189.38 million. They had a 97% percent increase in operating profit for the year making 64.1B KRW (US$56.72 million) and a 105% percent increase in net profit making 50.2B KRW (US$44.41 million).[28]

Controversies[]

Dispute with Min Hee-jin[]

On April 22, 2024, HYBE requested for Min Hee-jin, the CEO of their sub-label ADOR, to step down from her position following an audit of the label amidst accusations of Min attempting to make ADOR independent.[29][30] Min released a statement dismissing those claims and also accused HYBE of overlooking the similarities between NewJeans and ILLIT, a girl group that debuted in March 2024 under HYBE's sub-label Belift Lab. In her statement she accused HYBE and Belift of refusing to acknowledge the claims of ILLIT plagiarising NewJeans' image from music to style, which caused confusion online amongst fans and is undermining the group's success.[31][32] The value of HYBE's shares fell by 8.03% following the news.[33]

HYBE officially reported Min Hee-jin to the police for "breach of trust" on April 24 following evidence retrieved from the audit that she is attempting to gain management of the label.[34] HYBE later released text messages between Min and ADOR's vice CEO listing a series of methods to take control of the label. HYBE has also stated that they plan to meet with the legal representatives of NewJeans' members to discuss providing them with psychological and emotional care to support them for a successful return in the future.[35] It was also announced that NewJeans, who are set to release a new single in May, will carry out activities as planned.[36]

On April 25, seven hours after the report was filed, Min held an emergency press conference to deny the accusations against her. During the conference, she shared text messages exchanged between her, Bang Si-hyuk, and Hybe's CEO Park Ji-won, some of which included Bang mentioning groups outside of Hybe. She accused Hybe of fabricating her words and revealed that she had filed an internal report in the past because the company failed to address her concerns over their treatment of NewJeans and her as a producer, however, this was ignored by the management.[37] Issues regarding Hybe's leadership also came to light as Min accused Bang of trying to control all of Hybe's sub-labels and removing their uniqueness. Min also stated that she's willing to talk to either Bang or Park but they never agreed. HYBE requested for ADOR to organize a board meeting on April 30. If the board members refuse to attend, then a request would be filed in court to open a shareholders' meeting for the label. The company also refuted all of Min's claims, additionally stating that she should respond to the audit and promptly step down from her position.[38] Following a court case held on May 30, Min's injunction to stop HYBE from exercising their voting rights to dismiss her was accepted. If HYBE were to violate this and fire her, they would have to pay a compensation of ₩20 billion (US$17.48 million).[39][40]

Insider trading[]

In June 2024, South Korean prosecutors charged three employees of HYBE subsidiaries with insider trading. They were accused of selling shares in the company before BTS members announced they were taking a break on June 14, 2022. Prosecutors stated that the employees acted with prior knowledge of the announcement, enabling them to avoid losses ranging from $24,000 to more than $108,000.[41]

Divisions[]

Listed based in HYBE website.[42]

HYBE HQ[]

HYBE America[]

HYBE Japan[]

  • Labels
  • Solutions
    • HYBE Solutions Japan
    • HYBE T&D Japan

HYBE Latin America[]

  • Labels
    • Zarpazo
    • Docemil Music
  • Solutions
    • Ajá Podcasts

Joint ventures[]

Former[]

  • Solutions
    • HYBE Edu (2021–2022)[46]
  • Labels
    • Pledis Japan (Japan) (2020–2024)

Artists[]

List of artists based in HYBE website.[47]

Groups[]

HYBE Groups

Boy groups.

HYBE Groups GG

Girl groups.

  • BTS (BigHit Music) (2013–present)
  • SEVENTEEN (Pledis Entertainment) (2015–present)[n 6]
  • TXT (BigHit Music) (2019–present)
  • ENHYPEN (Belift Lab) (2020–present)
  • LE SSERAFIM (Source Music) (2022–present)
  • &TEAM (YX Labels) (2022–present)
  • BOYNEXTDOOR (KOZ Entertainment) (2023–present)
  • TWS (Pledis Entertainment) (2024–present)
  • ILLIT (Belift Lab) (2024–present)
  • KATSEYE (HYBE x Geffen) (2024–present)
  • SYNDI8 (Supertone) (2024–present)

Soloists[]

HYBE Soloists

Current soloists under HYBE.

  • Lee Hyun/MIDNATT (BigHit Music) (2009–present)[n 7]
  • Bumzu (Pledis Entertainment) (2017–present)[n 6]
  • Zico (KOZ Entertainment) (2019–present)[n 6]
  • j-hope (BTS) (BigHit Music) (2022–present)
  • Jin (BTS) (BigHit Music) (2022–present)
  • RM (BTS) (BigHit Music) (2022–present)
  • Hwang Min Hyun (Pledis Entertainment) (2023–present)[n 8][n 6]
  • Jimin (BTS) (BigHit Music) (2023–present)
  • Agust D (BTS) (BigHit Music) (2023–present)
  • Jung Kook (BTS) (BigHit Music) (2023–present)
  • V (BTS) (BigHit Music) (2023–present)
  • Yeonjun (TXT) (BigHit Music) (2024–present)
  • Beomgyu (TXT) (BigHit Music) (2025–present)

Actors and actresses[]

HYBE Actors

Current actors under HYBE.

Trainees[]

  • aoen (YX Labels) (2025–present)
  • Upcoming girl group (Source Music) (2025–present)
  • Upcoming girl group (Pledis Entertainment) (2025–present)
  • Upcoming boy group (BigHit Music) (2025–present)

Former artists[]

Since the rebranding as HYBE, for more see each subsidiary page.

Trainees[]

Staff[]

Chairman[]

CEOs[]

  • Lee Jae-sang (이재성) (HYBE) (2024–present) (Former Chief Innovation and Growth Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Operating Officer of HYBE America and CEO of HYBE America (2018–2024))[60]
    • Shin Seon-jeong (신선정) (BigHit Music) (2024–present) (Former General Manager and Head of Training & Development (2010–2024))[61][62]
    • Kim Joo-young (ADOR)
  • Scooter Braun (HYBE America)
  • Hyunrock Han (HYBE Japan)

Executive Creator[]

Produces[]

Performance Director[]

  • Kim Su-bin (김수빈) (TXT)[69]
  • Kim Eun-ju (김은주) (NewJeans)[70]
  • BLACK.Q (김영후) (NewJeans)[71]

Managers[]

  • Jung-min (정민)[72]
  • Shin Gwang-jae (신광재) (LE SSERAFIM)[73]
  • Park Han-wool (박한울) (LE SSERAFIM)[73]
  • Kim Hyun-ho (김현호) (LE SSERAFIM)[73]
  • Ahn Eun-bi (안은비) (LE SSERAFIM)[73]

Training & Development (T&D)[]

  • Shin Seon-jeong (신선정) (Head)

Former[]

  • CEOs
    • Jiwon Park (HYBE)
    • Min Hee-jin (ADOR) (2019–2025)
  • Produces
    • ADORA (BigHit Music) (2016–2021)

Headquarters[]

HYBE headquarters are currently in in 42 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The interior of HYBE is made up of three different sections: entertainment production, office space, and welfare space.[74]

  • Underground Parking Lots (-7F – -1F)[75]
  • Lobby (1F)[74]
    • Guest Lounge (1F)[76]
  • Entertainment Production Section (2F – 6F)[74]
    • Dance Studio (2F (B1-2, B1-3, 2-4 (LE SSERAFIM)); 3F (3-1, 3-2); 5F (5-4))[77][75][78][73]
    • Waiting Room (2F (2-1); 5F (5-3))[72][75]
    • Styling Room (4F (4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7))[76]
    • Production Studio (4F; 5F (5A, 5B-1, 5B-2, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F-1, 5F-2 (Lee Hyun), 5G-1, 5G-2 5G-3, 5G-4 (ENHYPEN), 5H))[77][75][78]
    • Vocal Training Studio (5F (5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6, 5-7, 5-8, 5-9))[76][79]
    • Film Studio[74]
    • Lounge (4F)[74]
    • Wardrobe[74]
  • Office Section (7F – 16F)[74][78]
    • Server Room (7F (7D))[77]
    • Health Care Center (7F (7G))[79]
      • Injection Room (7F (7-4))[79]
      • Recovery[79]
    • Projection Room (7F (7H))[79]
    • Distribution Business Team[77]
    • Storage[74]
    • Library (8F – 10F; 14F – 16F)[74]
    • Fitness Zone (11F – 13F)[74]
      • Weight Training (11F)[77]
      • Aerobics (12F)[77]
      • Machines (13F)[77]
    • Meeting Room (12F (12E-1, 12E-2, 12E-3, 12E-4, 12K-1, 12K-2, 12L))[78]
    • Cell (12F (12I, 12J, 12H, 12O))[78]
    • Massage Chairs (12F)[78]
    • Brushing Room (12F)[78]
  • Employee's Welfare Section (17F – 19F)[74]
  • Nap Room (?F)[79]

HYBE INSIGHT[]

  • Bang & Baker's

Concerts[]

Filmography[]

Drama[]

Exhibitions[]

Reality shows[]

Official links[]

HYBE
HYBE Labels

Gallery[]

This page does not require a gallery!

Notes[]

  1. Formerly known as Big Hit Three Sixty.
  2. Formerly known as Big Hit IP.
  3. Formerly known as Superb.
  4. Formerly known as beNX.
  5. Formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment Japan (2017–2021) and HYBE Labels Japan (2021–2025).
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 Part of HYBE since 2020.
  7. Part of BigHit Music since 2007 as member of 8eight.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nuest
  9. Part of HYBE since 2019.
  10. Part of Pledis Entertainment and HYBE since 2021.


References[]

  1. Soompi: Update: HYBE CEO Park Ji Won Resigns From Position + HYBE Announces Plans To Appoint CSO Lee Jae Sang As New CEO
  2. Soompi: Bang Si Hyuk Resigns From HYBE’s CEO Position To Focus On Chairman Role And Production
  3. BigHit Entertainment, July 24, 2015
  4. 2AM’s Contract with Big Hit Entertainment Ends
  5. Cuvism Magazine, July 18, 2015
  6. Cuvism Magazine, June 6, 2015
  7. BTS Blasts Onto Music Scene with “No More Dream” Debut MV
  8. Big Hit Reveals Lim Jeong Hee′s Contract Ended in May
  9. 글램, 결국 3년 만에 해체…'이병헌 협박女' 다희-이지연 실형 선고 : 스포츠조선, June 30, 2016
  10. 글램 다희, 모델 친구와 음담패설 영상 유포 협박 "세계적 스타라 거액 요구" 이병헌 공식입장은? : 스포츠조선, June 30, 2016
  11. Lee Byung-hun repeats apology upon returning home, November 15, 2015
  12. 씨그널엔터테인먼트그룹 "빅히트엔터 CB 60억 인수" (Signal Entertainment Group acquires Big Hit Ent for 60 billion "through CB"), February 4, 2016
  13. Signal Entertainment Group to sell entire shares of entertainment firm for 6.2 bln won
  14. Lee Changmin's contract with Bighit Entertainment expires, "will start his own agency", February 1, 2018
  15. BTS Extend Contracts With Big Hit Entertainment Until 2026, 17 October 2018
  16. Big Hit 'Ballistic Growth Leader' Yoon Seok-jun appointed as co-CEO
  17. Big Hit Entertainment Will Officially Change Their Company Name to HYBE Corporation
  18. Mogul Behind K-Pop Boy Band BTS Considers IPO
  19. STIC Investments invests W104b in Big Hit
  20. Game maker becomes second largest shareholder of BTS' agency
  21. Cousins unite as Netmarble buys stake in Bit Hit
  22. Expectations high for BTS-backed Big Hit Entertainment’s IPO, 2018-11-07
  23. Reporter predicts Bang Si Hyuk can become the richest person in Korean Entertainment history with IPO, 2018-11-07
  24. BTS' management agency teams up with CJ affiliate to launch entertainment firm, 2018-07-31, Yonhap News Agency
  25. Big Hit Entertainment takes a financial leap as private investment firm purchases large share, reaches a valuation rivaling the 'Big 3',2018-10-16
  26. STIC Investments invests W104b in Big Hit, 2018-10-16
  27. 한국벤처투자, ‘Korea VC Awards 2018’ 개최, December 7, 2018
  28. BTS Helps Label Big Hit Entertainment to Record Result In 2018
  29. "HYBE launches audit into ADOR's management amid spin-off allegations"
  30. "하이브 비공개 문건 빼와"…민희진, 부정행위 포착 감사"
  31. "Copycats? NewJeans' boss reportedly hits fellow HYBE group ILLIT"
  32. "ADOR CEO slams HYBE group ILLIT as 'NewJeans copycat'"
  33. "[특징주] 하이브, 뉴진스 만든 민희진 감사 착수 소식에 급락"
  34. "민희진 대표, 뉴진스 언급하며 눈물 "혜인이 20분동안 엉엉 울어"
  35. "HYBE pushed NewJeans aside for Le Sserafim, says Min Hee-jin"
  36. "Exclusive: NewJeans comeback will proceed as planned, despite HYBE-ADOR drama"
  37. "As it happened: ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin press conference"
  38. "하이브 "민희진 대표 기자회견, 답변할 가치 없어…정보자산 반납·신속히 감사에 응해달라"
  39. "[속보] 법원 "하이브, 민희진 의결권행사금지 가처분신청 인용..해임시 200억 배상 결정"
  40. "법원 "하이브, 민희진 해임안 의결권 행사 안돼" 가처분 인용…어도어 대표직 유지"
  41. "K-pop agents charged with insider trading over BTS"
  42. HYBE Website - Business
  43. Soompi: Big Hit Entertainment Acquires Music Game Company Superb
  44. Allkpop: HYBE Labels Japan launches new sub-label NAECO, recruits idol/actress Yurina Hirate as its first artist
  45. Krafton establishing metaverse joint venture with Naver Z
  46. Naver Corp: English Learning App CAKE to Merge with HYBE EDU, Expands Global Language Education Business
  47. HYBE Website - Artists
  48. Soompi: BTS’s V Debuting as an Actor Using His Real Name
  49. Soompi: SEVENTEEN’s DK To Make Musical Debut In Show Starring Kim Junsu And More
  50. Soompi: VIXX's Leo And NU'EST's Minhyun Confirmed To Join Cast Of Musical "Marie Antoinette"
  51. Toky Tunes: K (&TEAM) to appear in new drama "Get Me" ~Reminiscence~ as "Death"
  52. @KOZ_Entofficial on Twitter (February 11, 2024)
  53. Tokyohive: Yurina Hirate’s Contract with HYBE Japan Label Terminated Amid Issues
  54. HYBE Website - Artists (March 2021) (archived)
    HYBE Website - Artists (April 2021) (archived)
  55. Soompi: Nana Signs With New Agency After 15 Years At PLEDIS
  56. TikTok post (October 23, 2023)
  57. 57.0 57.1 57.2 Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE: Episode 1
  58. 58.0 58.1 Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE: Episode 2
  59. Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE: Episode 3
  60. Bandwagon: HYBE Names Jason Jaesang Lee as New CEO
  61. Billboard: HYBE’s BigHit Music Promotes Seon Jeong Shin to President
  62. YouTube: HYBE T&D Stories | Part 01 Farewell after debut
  63. Sungdeuk Son (@sonsungdeuk) on Instagram
  64. pdogg (@pdogg428) on Instagram
  65. Slow Rabbit / 권도형 (@slowrabbit_no1) on Instagram
  66. SUPREME BOI (@supremeboi_kor) on Instagram
  67. @hissnoise on Instagram
  68. GHSTLOOP (@ghstlxxp) on Instagram
  69. SUBINKIM | 김수빈 (@subinnnkim) on Instagram
  70. KIMEUNJU (@im_jeikim) on Instagram
  71. BLACK.Q (@blackqworld) on Instagram
  72. 72.0 72.1 YouTube: (ENG) 드디어 그들이 왔다! 방탄소년단 의전팀이 된다면?!
  73. 73.0 73.1 73.2 73.3 73.4 YouTube: [C.C.] LE SSERAFIM grew up to look just like they did when they were kids #LESSERAFIM
  74. 74.00 74.01 74.02 74.03 74.04 74.05 74.06 74.07 74.08 74.09 74.10 74.11 74.12 74.13 YouTube: HYBE: NEW BRAND PRESENTATION
  75. 75.0 75.1 75.2 75.3 YouTube: ENHYPEN's First Day at the New HYBE Headquarters - ENHYPEN (엔하이픈) (ENG/JPN)
  76. 76.0 76.1 76.2 YouTube: (EN/JP/IN) 하이브가 JYP, SM 제치고 1위한 이것은? 입구컷 당했던 ⭐빅히트⭐ 진짜 다녀왔습니다🔥ㅣ와썹맨 ep.44ㅣ박준형
  77. 77.0 77.1 77.2 77.3 77.4 77.5 77.6 YouTube: (ENG) 빅히트 정도전 이현! 빅히트 신사옥 투어하다
  78. 78.0 78.1 78.2 78.3 78.4 78.5 78.6 78.7 YouTube: [C.C.] HYBE building shown around by the producer & artist ZICO #ZICO #HYBE
  79. 79.0 79.1 79.2 79.3 79.4 79.5 YouTube: What's Life Like For HYBE Employees? Check It Out Here! | The Manager EP287 | KOCOWA+
  80. The Korea Times: "HYBE INSIGHT: 'BTS museum' opens to public"

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