9 K-Pop Idols Who Decide to Become CEOs and Pursue Careers in Their Own Agencies

Kapanlagi.com - The career journey of an idol is not always smooth as expected. Even idols who debut under big agencies do not always guarantee the smoothness of their careers. Sometimes there are problems or incompatibilities between the idol and the agency. Such as contract issues, mismatched musical tastes, or lack of attention from the agency.

Like the following idols who eventually decided to establish their own music labels and pursue careers in their own agencies. Although they are still young, these CEOs dare to take risks. They hope to develop independently and freely create according to their musical tastes and desires.

Who are the idols who have become CEOs and pursued careers in their own agencies? Let's find out together!

1. ZICO - KOZ Entertainment

ZICO © twitter.com/KOZ_Entofficial

ZICO began his career in 2011 with the boy group Block B under the management of Seven Season agency. As the leader and producer of the group, he also had a successful solo career. However, when his contract with the agency ended on November 23, 2018, ZICO decided to leave Seven Season. He established his own agency, KOZ Entertainment, in early 2019 with ZICO and DVWN as his artists. His solo career continued to rise, especially when he released Anysong in early 2020. It reached number 4 on the Billboard chart in the first week with 1000 copies sold. Even the #AnySongChallenge that he popularized went viral and was followed by many celebrities.

2. Kim Sohye - S&P Entertainment

Kim Sohye © instagram.com/asiacat_ko

S&P Entertainment or Shark and Penguin Entertainment is an agency founded by Kim Sohye, former member of I.O.I, and her family. This PRODUCE 101 graduate was previously signed under Red Line Entertainment, an agency that trains actors and actresses. Now under her own agency, she is being promoted as an idol and actress. In addition, the agency is doing various things to promote her, including opening a cafe called Penguin Cafe. This is done so that S&P Entertainment and Kim Sohye can be closer to their fans.

3. Ravi - GROOVL1N

Ravi © instagram.com/ravithecrackkidz

Ravi is a member of the boy group VIXX who was previously under Jellyfish Entertainment. However, on May 24, 2019, the agency announced that Ravi would not renew his contract. He chose to leave the agency because he wanted to establish his own music label. This idol, born in 1993, finally founded a hip-hop record label called GROOVL1N, which is a combination of the words 'Groove' and 'Goblin,' meaning 'great people from the east.' In addition to Ravi, there are now three other artists under the agency, namely Xydo, Cold Bay, and Chillin Homie.

4. ONE - Private Only

ONE © twitter.com/prvtonlyfiles

ONE, whose real name is Jung Jaewon, started his career with the debut of the duo 1PUNCH, a collaboration project between Brave Entertainment and D-Business Entertainment. However, the hip-hop duo only lasted for 8 months due to ONE joining YG Entertainment and starting his solo career. Although he debuted under a big agency, it doesn't guarantee that his career will continue smoothly. After being with YG for 4 years, this man finally decided to leave in July 2019. He chose to become independent by establishing his own music label, Private Only. Under his own management, ONE has already released his first album titled PRVT 01 at the end of 2019.

5. Hyolyn - Bridg3

Hyolyn © instagram.com/xhyolynx

After leaving Starship Entertainment, Hyolyn did not join any agency and chose to establish her own music label. Last year in 2017, the former member of Sistar revealed that the agency she founded is called Brid3 or Bridge. Brid3 signifies her desire to create a bridge to communicate with many people and showcase a variety of music.

6. Jay Park - AOMG

Jay Park © instagram.com/jparkrighthere

AOMG or an acronym for Above Ordinary Music Group is an agency founded by Jay Park in 2013. However, before that, it turns out this rapper and songwriter was the leader of the boy group from JYP Entertainment, 2PM. When 2PM was gaining a lot of public attention at the beginning of their career, Jay Park got involved in a scandal due to his old social media posts. Because of that, he was eventually expelled from the group and chose to return to America. But who would have thought, the man named Park Jae Beom is now successful with the agency he established. He has also managed to collaborate with other artists such as Simon Dominic, Loco, Gray, Hoody, and Lee Hi.

7. Highlight - Around Us Entertainment

Highlight © twitter.com/Highliht_AUent

After leaving Cube Entertainment in November 2016, Highlight, formerly known as Beast, finally decided to establish their own music label. The five members, Dujun, Gikwang, Yoseob, Junhyung, and Dongwoon, became the CEOs of the agency they founded, Around Us Entertainment. Despite Junhyung leaving the group in 2016 due to a scandal, Highlight continued with the remaining four members. They even have several trainees who participated in the survival show PRODUCE X 101. 

8. Kang Daniel - KONNECT Entertainment

Kang Daniel © twitter.com/konnect_danielk

After resolving his conflict with LM Entertainment, Kang Daniel decided to establish his own music label in 2019. He considered that a personal agency would be more focused and effective in his work. It is suitable for assisting this 96-born idol in promoting himself as a solo singer. The agency he founded is called KONNECT Entertainment, which is an acronym for 'Korea' and 'Connect', meaning Kang Daniel plans to connect Korea with the world through his activities in the entertainment industry.

9. Lai Guanlin - Xiamen Youlin Culture Media Corporation

Lai Guanlin © twitter.com/LaiGuanlinFR

Experiencing the same thing as Kang Daniel, Guanlin also faced conflicts with his first agency, CUBE Entertainment. Although the conflict has not been resolved, former member of Wanna One is rumored to have signed a contract with a Chinese agency, Xiamen Youlin Culture Media Corporation.

It is suspected that the agency is a personal agency founded by him and his mother as co-founders and majority shareholders. This was reinforced when Guanlin traveled through the airport and held a ticket with the title CEO. Fans are increasingly convinced that the news is true because after investigation, there is no airline named CEO.

Although still young, these idols dare to take risks and take independent steps to develop according to their desires. So proud!

Written by: Fitri Mardiana

(kpl/mag)