When the standard exclusive contracts lasting 7 years come to an end, members of idol groups often face the decision to either renew their contracts with the management company or switch to a new one. However, a new trend has emerged in the third generation of idol groups in K-Pop, which is the establishment of individual companies.
A prime example is Jennie of BLACKPINK. Specifically, after concluding the exclusive contract with YG Entertainment last year, all four members decided to only renew the group contract instead of extending individual contracts as before. Recently Jennie announced the establishment of her own management company named ODD ATELIER.
Explaining the reason behind this decision, a BLACKPINK member stated, “I want to pursue personal activities more freely, which led me to establish my own company.”
Similar to Jennie, another member of BLACKPINK, Jisoo, also hinted at collaborating with her brother for upcoming personal activities. In this regard, Jisoo’s brother posted a recruitment notice on various platforms featuring Jisoo’s image prominently, suggesting a new breakthrough in both their entertainment careers. The company’s description explicitly expresses the desire to “expand rapidly globally.” The collaboration between the siblings is believed to enhance the artist’s career while strengthening the bond with fans.
These examples reflect a new trend where idol singers actively depart from their initial management companies, daring to establish their own companies. This move is a strong indication that these stars desire independence in the entertainment industry and greater control over their careers.
Another case is Kino of Pentagon, who left Cube Entertainment and founded his own company named NAKED. Previously, in August 2023, former ASTRO member Rocky also established a management company named One Fine Day Entertainment to develop his solo career. Most recently, Baekhyun of EXO announced the launch of his new company, I&B100, and there are reports that he has recruited two fellow group members, Chen and Xiumin.
In reality, establishing individual companies can bring many benefits to artists, including control and freedom in the entertainment industry. While large companies may introduce various aspects, idol-owned companies allow artists to prioritize their creative vision and interests. Financially, a one-member company may also have more favorable profit-sharing structures.
However, these individual management companies still face significant challenges. Compared to larger partners, these companies often lack resources and scale, leading to less experienced operations. Additionally, since the artists themselves hold managerial power, fans may find it difficult to criticize the company as before, resulting in unresolved issues accumulating over an extended period.
