K-pop is still bigger than ever. It is growing every day, not just in Asia but worldwide. Furthermore, Kpop Entertainment companies are reporting all-time high profits, and K-pop groups are getting global exposure. Therefore, Korea’s main asset continues to be K-Pop as Kpop Entertainment companies continue to find new talent. Now, most of these KPop companies/agencies are looking to expand outside of Korea and into other Asian markets, North America, and Europe.

Some of the richest K-pop Idols started as fans before pursuing their dream. People worldwide not only want K-Pop but also to become K-pop stars themselves. K-pop combines electronic, hip-hop, pop, rock, R&B, and even rap. Currently, K-pop is a $5 billion global industry. For those looking to become a K-pop star or looking for tips for K-pop auditions, please check out our article here.

Most of the Kpop Entertainment companies are listed on KOSDAQ (HYBE (Formerly Big Hit Entertainment), SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, FNC Entertainment, and CUBE Entertainment). However, HYBE clearly stands alone at the top. For this ranking, we at SEOULSPACE, in collaboration with Seoulz, took into account four factors:

• Talent roster
• Market Capitalization
• Future Potential
• Social Media

Also, please help support SEOULSPACE by checking out our top 100 Kpop Idols ebook! 

Now on the top Kpop Entertainment companies!

HYBE (Formerly Big Hit Entertainment)

The success of HYBE, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment, is because of ONE group and one group only…BTS. In addition, BTS has been having one of the most successful runs of all time. At the start, HYBE was just a small company; in 2007, they were on the brink of bankruptcy. But with BTS, they were able to create one of the biggest boy groups of all time.

BTS is a seven-member boy band, and they have already sold millions of albums their YouTube videos are some of the most-watched videos on Youtube. BTS was not an overnight sensation. They debuted in 2013. Therefore they have worked hard and finally broke out globally in 2019. BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan, which translates to Bulletproof Boy Scouts. Now BTS stands for Beyond the Scene.

A Huge Boom in the Korean Economy

It is estimated that BTS added more than $6 billion to the Korean economy to date. The band could generate $40 billion over the next decade for the South Korean economy. 

Top Social Media K-Pop Group

They are very connected to their loyal fans, who are called Army. BTS used social media to make themselves available and visible. The Band had complete control of its social media. They were able to show their fans what was going on backstage. HYBE has over 69 million subscribers on YouTube. Their IPO raised over $1 billion and brought its market cap to $4 billion. This is why HYBE is #1 in our rankings.

“In our company, we invest a lot of time educating trainees about life as an artist, including social media. After we provide guidance, we choose to let artists be, and leave a window open for them to ask the company anything they need. I think that helped the sincerity get through to the fans. Since BTS’ success, I’ve been changing the trainee system to be more school-like, with mentorship and a coaching system, and opportunities for students to work together.” Said CEO of HYBE Bang Si-Hyuk

HYBE is a listed Company

HYBE is listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI). They chose JP Morgan, Korea Investment & Securities, and NH Investment as the underwriters for the IPO. After raising over $1 billion through the ICO. It was South Korea’s largest IPO in 3 years. HYBE is now worth over $5.5 billion. HYBE will be composed of HYBE HQ and HYBE America. It will be further broken down into three business areas: HYBE Labels, HYBE Solution, and HYBE platform. 

• HYBE Labels will focus on music and artist management 
• HYBE Solution will focus on all the operation-related business that extends beyond music. 
• Finally, the HYBE Platform will hold the Weverse Company. 

Artists:  BTS, TXT, TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Estimated Market Cap:  $4.1 Billion

YouTube Subscribers:  69.2 Million

Twitter Followers: 3.9 Million

Instagram Followers:  2.4 Million

JYP Entertainment

JYP was founded in 1997 by Kpop Idol J.Y. Park. Therefore, JYP Entertainment has a more R&B flavor since its founder strongly influences the company. He is the primary songwriter for his company’s groups and the creative force. The company has been known for making the careers of K-pop legends such as Wonder Girls, Rain, and Miss A, to name a few. Their current hottest group, TWICE, has over 32 million followers on Twitter and Instagram combined. Stray Kids are the boy group to watch for in 2023 after its massive success from 2021 to 2022.

“We’ve developed a system. Companies like ours have an academy, a sort of training system, to find young, talented kids and pull out the best in them. It started off organic, but we systematized it.” Said the Founder of JYP Entertainment, J.Y. Park.

JYP Going Global

JYP Entertainment recently partnered with The Orchard to expand its reach outside Korea. The Orchard is a part of Sony Music Entertainment. They are in charge of global digital and physical distribution. This helped JYP enter the U.S. and European markets, and they will work together for global digital and physical distribution. In addition, JYP Entertainment will be able to release its content to the US, UK, and more through The Orchard.

Artists:  2PM, TWICE, GOT7, DAY6, 15&, Stray Kids, JJ Project, NiziU, Jus2, 3Racha, ITZY, J.Y. Park, and Yubin.

Estimated Market Cap:  $ 1.98 Billion

YouTube Subscribers:  25.6 Million

Facebook Followers:  2.7 Million

Twitter Followers:  5.1 Million

Instagram Followers:  4.6 Million

SM Entertainment

SM was once the biggest Kpop entertainment company. They are known for creating some of the biggest Kpop icons ever. They have consistently produced many of the biggest groups in Kpop for the past two decades. Now they are #2 but are still major players in the Kpop industry. After getting investments from Alibaba and Tencent, their popularity has grown in China. If you check out their youtube channel they have over 31.4 million subscribers. Data shows that over 90% of the subscribers are not from Korea. A vast majority are from China. Therefore, their strategic partnership with Tencent Music Entertainment will help SM Entertainment’s distribution and marketing in the Chinese music market. 

SM Creates Supergroups

SM created the supergroup SuperM, which comprises seven members from SM’s boy groups SHINee, EXO, NCT 127, and WayV. They will also debut a girl supergroup called Girls on Top (GOT) in 2022. 

SM Entertainment Partners with Creative Artists Agency

US-based Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Los Angeles has partnered with SM Entertainment. CAA is considered one of the world’s biggest sports and entertainment agencies. They represent superstar artists such as Beyonce and Ariana Grande. The two companies will work together to showcase SM’s Kpop Groups to the US market. They will work together on TV production, performances, and advertising. 

SM Entertainment Global Auditions

Those looking to audition for SM Entertainment can do so online. The application must accompany a dance video, a singing audio clip, and side/front face profile pictures. They are looking for talent from 10 to 20 from all backgrounds, races, nationalities, and gender. Those that are interested in auditioning should look into Kpop diet plans to help them get in shape. 

Artists: Aespa, S.E.S., TVXQ, Girl’s Generation, Super Junior, SuperM, Shinee, f(x), EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, BoA, Kangta, J-Min, Sunday, Taemin, Dana, Amber, Taeyeon, Luna, Victoria, Lay, Yoona, Yuri, Key, Onew, Chen, U-Know, Sulli, Baekyun.

Estimated Market Cap:  $1.8 Million

YouTube Subscribers:  31.9 Million

Facebook Followers:  6.2 Million

Twitter Followers:  11.2 Million

Instagram Followers:  14.2 Million

YG Entertainment

Thanks to BLACKPINK, YG Entertainment are just outside the top 3. The scandal of Seungri, Jung Joon-young, and Choi Joon-hoon has dropped YG’s stock greatly.

YG Entertainment was an unstoppable force in the Kpop Industry in the past. YG featured hip-hop and favored attitude over the usual cuteness of Kpop. Using this formula, they hit it big with Big Bang and 2NE1 and later took things globally with the success of PSY. 

Their current top group is still BLACKPINK, and they are the biggest Kpop girl group of all time. BLACKPINK continuously gets some of the most views for their music videos on YouTube. This has allowed them to reach a global audience and partner with Universal Music Group’s representative label, Interscope.

Estimated Market Cap:  $785 Million

YouTube Subscribers:  6.94 Million 

Facebook Followers:  4.7 Million

Twitter Followers:  8.9 Million

Instagram Followers:  2.3 million

Cube Entertainment

Cube Entertainment has found great success as an entertainment company and a talent company. They signed a contract with a webtoon platform called Comics Family back in 2021. The two companies worked together to produce video content with their IP. They produced dramas and distributed them globally through various OTT platforms. 

However, with so much going on, Cube Entertainment continues to focus on its Kpop talent. Their biggest group at the moment is the Kpop girl group (G)I-dle which has done better than 4Minute and CLC. However, a bullying scandal led to Soojin from (G)-I-dle being let go. 

Artists:  BTOB, CLC, Pentagon, (G)IDLE, A Train to Autumn, Jo Kwon, and Yoo Seon-ho

Estimated Market Cap:  $226 Million

YouTube Subscribers:  2.29 Million

Facebook Followers:  608,000

Twitter Followers:  1 Million

Instagram Followers:  293,000

Stone Music Entertainment

Stone Music Entertainment is a privately-held company under CJ ENM. It is one of the biggest co-publisher companies in South Korea. They are not just a record label but also a talent agency and music production company. They established their exclusive label, Off The Record Entertainment, to manage the winners of the popular Korean singing program Produce 48. The winner IZ*ONE and the winner of Idol School were Fromis 9. They also established exclusive labels LM Entertainment, Swing Entertainment, MMO Entertainment, and Studio Blu.

“Though many say Korea does not have many natural resources, I believe our resources lie in the human talent that exists in the country,” said CEO of Stone Music Entertainment Jung Chang Hwan.

Artists: Off the Record Entertainment (IZ*ONE and Fromis_9), MMO Entertainment (Kim Feel, IN2IT, and Son Ho-young), LM Entertainment (Yoon Ji-sung), Studio Blu (Heize, DAVII, $ammy, Truedy, and Mia), Swing Entertainment (X1 and Kim Jae-hwan)

Estimated Market Cap: $200 Million

Youtube Subscribers: 9.4 million 

Facebook Followers: 547,000

Twitter Followers: 106,600

Instagram Followers: 45,300

FNC Entertainment

FNC Entertainment has been known for cool/hip bands like CNBLUE, SF9, and AOA, who have all transitioned into more of a dance group. The company is known for AOA, but mainly for the scandal involving Mina getting bullied by Jimin and Seolhyun. Jimin ended up leaving the group, and FNC Entertainment apologized for failing to have carefully taken care of the relationship between the members. FNC Entertainment is currently being run by co-CEOs Ahn Suk Joon and Han Seung Soon.

“We believe that there will be a positive synergy between Ahn Suk Joon, who has been recognized for his business acumen in the industry and Han Seung Hoon, who has worked as a producer for a long time and has a high understanding of the entertainment industry.” Stated FNC Entertainment.

TV vs Music

The biggest star for FNC Entertainment is not even a K-Pop star but the famous Yoo Jae Suk, who they signed in 2017. That signing alone rose FNC’s stock prices by 30%, raising the company’s value to close to $300 million. Therefore FNC relies more on their T.V. talent than on singers. In addition, veteran actors Lee Dong Gun will continue to help FNC as they look to split their talent base down the middle.

Artists:  CNBLUE, FT Island, N. Flying, AOA, InnoVator, SF9, and Cherry Bullet.

Estimated Market Cap:  $107 million

YouTube Subscribers: 1.32 million

Facebook Followers:  653,000

Twitter Followers:  492,900 

Instagram Followers:  unknown

Starship Entertainment

FAVE Entertainment was formerly known as LOEN Entertainment, and their subsidiary Starship Entertainment has had much success with their 12-member girl group Cosmic Girls.  Starship’s focus for 2023 will be to continue looking into the Chinese market, and Cosmic Girls, consisting of Korean and Chinese members, is their best chance for it. Therefore, with SISTAR resigned and onboard, Starship will look to nurture their abilities for potential solo careers.

Artists:  K.Will, Soyou, Jeong Sewoon, Cravity, MONSTA X, and Cosmic Girls.

Estimated Market Cap:  $70 million

YouTube Subscribers:  4.59 Million

Facebook Followers:  770,000 

Twitter Followers:  605,000

Instagram Followers:  499,000

Woollim Entertainment

Woollim Entertainment merged with SM Entertainment through SM C&C in 2013. However, three years later, the two companies officially separated. Both Kpop Entertainment companies decided to go their separate ways. Woollim Entertainment is now an independent company. 

With Woollim Brings Woollim Entertainment Artists Together

A new project called ‘With Woolim” brought together all of the artists under Woollim Entertainment. They joined together and sang “Relay” to reward their fans from all around the world.

Artists:  INFINITE, Golden Child, Rocket Punch, Drippin, Nam Woo-hyun, Lee Su-jeong, Kwon Eun-bi

Estimated Market Cap:  $65 Million

YouTube Subscribers:  1.84 Million

Facebook Followers:  527,000

Twitter Followers:  425,000

Instagram Followers:  135,000

Pledis Entertainment

Pledis Entertainment has had great success with their girl group After School over the past few years. However, many fans see After School as a one-hit-wonder because they have not made much noise since “Because of You.” However, still to this day, After School has a strong following in China and Japan. Pledis has recently found great success with boy groups SEVENTEEN and NU’EST. SEVENTENN has some of the best male Chinese Kpop stars active today. 

HYBE is a Major Shareholder of Pledis Entertainment

Thanks to their success in 2019-2020, HYBE has acquired Pledis Entertainment. However, Pledis will continue to run independently. HYBE will help the artists on Pledis get wider overseas exposure through HYBE’s global networks and platform technologies. Therefore the two Kpop Entertainment companies will not be merged into one label. 

“I am thrilled to be joining forces with Big Hit, a company that’s spearheading the Korean entertainment industry. This will mark an opportunity for growth for both the label’s artists and entire staff members. We will do our best to give back the ardent love fans have shown us with quality content and greater success for the artists,” said the Founder of Pledis Entertainment, Han Sung Soo.

Artists:  NU’EST, SEVENTEEN, Orange Caramel, Raina, Han Dong-geun, Bumzu, Kyulkyung, Yehana, Seungyeon, and After School.

Estimated Market Cap:  $60 million

YouTube Subscribers:  1 million

Facebook Followers:  249,000

Twitter Followers:  690,000

Instagram Followers:  unkown

Kpop Entertainment Companies 11-20

DSP Media

South Korean Entertainment company DSP Media is one of the oldest Kpop Entertainment companies. It was established in 1991 under the name Daesung Entertainment, and it operates a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management, and a music publishing house. They were known for creating one of the most famous K-pop girl groups of all time in FIN.K.L. During that time, DSP was among the level of SM Entertainment. However, since then, they have taken a major step back. 

Burn Up: Challenge to Billboard

DSP Media launched a new audition program called “Burn Up: Challenge to Billboard.” It is a reality show that will star April, KARD, and Heo Young-ji. The show was released on JTBC Studio’s YouTube Channel. In addition, JTBC Studios is well-known for producing and distributing popular YouTube content such as “Wassup Man” and “Workman.” 

Artists: KARD, Rainbow, April, Oh Jong-hyuk, Mirae, and Heo Young-ji

Estimated Market Cap: $50 million

Youtube Subscribers: 308,000

Facebook Followers: 30,000

Twitter Followers: 78,000

Instagram Followers: 45,000

Fantagio Music

KPop Entertainment company Fantagio Music was originally called NOA Entertainment. They changed their name to Fantagio in 2011. Moreover, their parent company is JC Group which also owns Fantagio Pictures, Madin Entertainment, and Solid C&M. Their most successful group is ASTRO.

Artists: ASTRO, Weki Weki, Hello Venus, and 5urpise.

Estimated Market Cap: $45 million

Youtube Subscribers: 504,000

Facebook Followers: 149,000

Twitter Followers: 338,000

Instagram Followers: 414,000

KQ Entertainment

Korean Entertainment agency KQ Entertainment also manages two sub-labels, Seven Seasons and KQ Produce. Their top group is ATEEZ which is an 8-member boy group. They had successful tours all across Europe as well as cities like Moscow, Warsaw, New York, Los Angeles, Thailand, Jakarta, Yokohama, Nagoya, Melbourne, and Sydney. Therefore, KQ is one of the few Kpop entertainment companies aggressively looking to expand globally.

“KQ Entertainment will respond flexibly to the rapidly changing domestic and international market conditions and will develop into a global No.1 music content company,” said CEO of KQ Entertainment Kyu-Wook Kim.

Artists: ATEEZ, Heo Young Saeng, and Block B.

Estimated Market Cap: $40 Million

Youtube Subscribers: 1.42 million

Facebook Followers: 40,800

Twitter Followers: 232,000

Instagram Followers: 215,000

BrandNew Music

BrandNew Music is a Kpop Entertainment company that mainly focuses on Hip Hop. It was founded by Korean rapper Rhymer back in 2003 under the name IC Entertainment. In addition, they have their indie sub-label called Korean Roulette. Their first idol group AB6IX had a great 2019 debut. 

Artists: AB6IX, As One, BDC,  Eluphant, Miss $, MXM, Bumkey, Kim Yoon-ho, Hanhae, Yang Da-il, Henney, Verbal Jint, Kanto, Tae Wan, KittiB, Rudals, Lee Kang, Rhymer, Lee Kang, MC Gree, and Lee Eun Sang.

Estimated Market Cap: $35 Million 

Youtube Subscribers: 750,000

Facebook Followers: 103,000

Twitter Followers: 217,000

Instagram Followers: 408,000

Jellyfish Entertainment

K-pop Entertainment company Jellyfish Entertainment was established by composer and producer Hwang Se-jun in 2007. They had a reality show called MyDOL, which was able to form the popular boy group VIXX. Look for VIXX to have a huge 2023 and could end up contending for the best K-pop boy group for 2023. 

Artists: VIXX, Gugudan, Verivery, Park Yoon-ha, Jang Hye-jin, Kim Se-jeong, Leo, and Hyuk.

Estimated Market Cap: $35 Million

Youtube Entertainment: 175,000

Facebook Followers: 86,000

Twitter Followers: 245,000

Instagram Followers: 168,000

RBW (Rainbow Bridge World)

RBW is one of the fastest-rising Kpop Entertainment Companies around. Much of that has to do with the success of Mamamoo. They came out in 2014 and were considered among the most successful debuts of all time. Moreover, critics loved their R&B/Jazz style. 

Mamamoo is by far one of the hottest Kpop female groups out there. Therefore, the success of Mamamoo will be huge in taking RBW into the top 10 of the best Kpop entertainment companies. 

Artists: Mamaoo, Vromance, Oneus, Onewe, Solar, Wheein, Moonbyul, Jin-Ju, Hwasa

Estimated Market Cap: $30 Million

Youtube Subscribers: 96,000

Facebook Followers: 25,000

Twitter Followers: 38,000

Instagram Followers: 184,000

C9 Entertainment

Kpop Entertainment agency C9 Entertainment operates as a talent agency, record label, and music production company. C9 Entertainment created a new label, J9 Entertainment which focuses on girl groups. Their most popular group is Good Day which is a 10-member girl group. They became trendy in Korea thanks to the reality show Good Day 2 U, which aired on Naver V Live.

Later, they made another reality show called The Unit which had six members of Good Day. However, their recent success is due to a five-member boy group called CIX. Their reality show Hello CIX was a huge hit on V Live. 

Artists: Good Day, CIX, Cignature, Younha, Cheetah, Juniel, Doko, Bae Jin-young, and Lee Seok-hoon.

Estimated Market Cap: $30 Million

Youtube Entertainment: 160,000

Facebook Followers: 32,000

Twitter Followers: 141,000

Instagram Followers: 432,000

MLD Entertainment

MLD Entertainment is a Kpop Entertainment company formerly known as Duble Kick Entertainment. They formed Momoland through the reality show Finding Momoland. They are a seven-member girl group that has really taken off since 2016. In 2019, Momoland became the first girl group to earn Platinum certification on Gaon Music Chart for their song Bboom Bboom. Furthermore, MLD Entertainment signed a co-management agreement with the Philippine media corporation ABS-CBN.

Artists: Momoland

Estimated Market Cap: $30 Million

Youtube Subscribers: 1.51 million

Facebook Followers: 27,000

Twitter Followers: 41,000

Instagram Followers: 78,000

WM Entertainment

WM Entertainment is one of the more up-and-coming Kpop Entertainment Companies out there. They created B1A4, ONF, and Oh My Girl. ONF is their most popular group. 

Artists: B1A4, Oh My Girl, ONF, Sandeul, and Oh My Girl Banhana

Estimated Market Cap: $25 Million

Youtube Subscribers: 170,000

Facebook Followers: 18,000

Twitter Followers: 198,000

Instagram Followers: 30,000

Top Media Entertainment

TOP Media is one of the more underrated K-pop Entertainment companies out there. They were founded by Shinhwa member Andy. He was in charge of handling the management of several artists. They usually work with LOEN Entertainment as the distributor of musical releases. Therefore, they are considered one of the top up-and-coming Kpop Entertainment companies in Korea at the moment.

Kpop Entertainment Companies Look to Online Concerts – TEEN TOP 10 LIVE

The TEEN TOP 10 Live concert was live-streamed on TEEN TOP’s official YouTube Channel, with over 694,000 subscribers. Moreover, their channel does a great job of sharing behind-the-scenes stories about the and its songs. One of those videos got over 2.5 million views in a day.

Artists:  TEEN TOP, 100%, UP10TION, MCND, Andy, and Eric

Estimated Market Cap: $25 million

YouTube Subscribers:  694,000

Facebook Followers:  85,000

Twitter Followers:  159,000

Instagram Followers:  30,300