10 K-Pop Singers Who Are Also Business Owners

Apart from showcasing their talents on stage, these K-pop singers also have a side hustle, ranging from cafes to fashion labels, check out these businesses set up by some of South Korea’s most popular vocalists

Being a singer in the multi-million K-pop industry already makes bank. From concert tours and endorsement deals to fan gifts and commercial films, these K-pop singers are more than comfortable earning their worth thanks to their career of choice.

However, over the years, these South Korean acts have proven that starting their own businesses can be a perceptive way of expanding their wealth—with some of them doing so remarkably. Below, take a look at 10 K-pop singers who have shown off their enterprising side.

Big Bang’s G-Dragon: Peaceminusone

A household name in K-pop, multi-hyphenated star G-Dragon is the leader of veteran South Korean boy band Big Bang. A fashion icon in his own right, he is often photographed in daring, extravagant clothing items, becoming a style influencer in the process. Many K-pop stars from succeeding generations list him as their style inspiration, backing the star’s affinity for fashion.

Don't miss: K-Style Files: 9 of G-Dragon’s Most Fashionable Looks

With his stylist Gee Eun, he has since set up the fashion label Peaceminusone. The label has since collaborated with various labels and fashion houses, most notably Nike, Colette, and Giuseppe Zanotti.

Above Photo: Peaceminusone

Above Photo: Peaceminus one

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BTS’s Jin: Ossu Seiromushi

Jin has long been an avid foodie, even creating his own special mukbang segment on social media platform V-live that is dubbed, Eat Jin. It was foreseeable when the vocalist of Grammy-nominated superstars BTS opened a Japanese restaurant with his older brother in 2018. The restaurant serves up traditional Japanese dishes on staked wooden trays that are made with cypress wood and then steamed in a Seiromushi style—food steamed on bamboo trays table side. They also offer premium meat from Jeju Island and a wide selection of vegetables.

PSY: P Nation

Internationally known for his 2012 hit single Gangnam Style, South Korean singer Psy is more than just a dancing machine. As a rapper, songwriter and record producer, this versatile star has since set up an entertainment company of his own, P Nation. The company is now home to many of South Korea’s biggest names in entertainment, including Jessi, Hyuna, Dawn, Crush, and most recently, Heize.

Jessica Jung: Blanc & Eclair

Former Girl’s Generation member Jessica Jung has been well-loved both in South Korea and internationally since her debut in 2007. A well-known style maven among the group members, she set up Blanc & Eclare, a fashion brand producing eyewear, denim, clothes, skincare, and accessories. Her label has since expanded, and the brand now sells merchandise in around 60 stores in locations such as Seoul, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taiwan, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Vancouver.

Above Photo: Blanc & Eclare

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Super Junior’s Donghae: Haru & Oneday

Donghae, the lead vocalist of arguably one of the most respected boy groups in the South Korean music industry, Super Junior, has been in the entertainment scene for 17 years. Venturing out to different horizons thus seemed fitting for a seasoned singer. With that, he set up his own cafe which serves up specially curated and aesthetically pleasing drinks and cakes that meet current trends.

Got7’s Jackson Wang: Team Wang

Born in Hong Kong, the national fencer turned K-pop star is the lead rapper of K-pop band, Got7. After six years into his career as a K-pop star, he is now managing his own idol duties and solo work. In 2020, he established Team Wang, a record label conducting business in music, production, and artist management. Its sister company, Team Wang Design, a luxury streetwear label, was established in 2020, where he serves as the creative director and designer.

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Minzy: MZ Entertainment

The vocalist, dancer and former member of South Korean super girl group 2NE1 has always been an entrepreneur at heart. During the group’s hiatus in 2015, she founded her own dance studio, Millennium Dance Academy, as a personal project. More recently, she founded MZ Entertainment along with professional business management expert, director Gong Soon Yong. With the company, she hopes to foster the talent of junior, aspiring artists.

BTOB’s Eun Kwang: +82 Pluseighttwo

Bingsu lovers rejoice, South Korean boy group’s leader and main vocalist Eun Kwang, opened his first Korean dessert cafe right here in Singapore. +82, which represents South Korea’s country code, is located at Level 1 of Rendezvous Hotel at Bras Basah. You might be wondering why a South Korean star would choose to open a cafe in Singapore. In a chat with Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore, he had this to say about his decision: “Whenever I visit Singapore to visit my friend or to hold fan meetings with my band members, I always make very good memories. So I decided to open a cafe with my friend here.”

Hyolyn: Brid3 Entertainment

The former powerhouse vocalist of the now-disbanded iconic K-pop girl group, Sistar, established her own music label, Bridʒ Entertainment. The company name, pronounced “bridge”, symbolises the bridge that Hyolyn hopes to build between the public and all forms of music production, similar to how the bridge in a song connects to the song's climax.

Kard’s BM: Staydium

The sub-vocalist of South Korean co-ed group Kard BM debuted his apparel brand Staydium in his native Los Angeles in 2019. That same year, during his group’s American tour, a fan told BM that she was in the process of going for chemotherapy for breast cancer and that Kard’s music has been a huge support system for her. Inspired by her, BM started selling Big Tiddie Gang (BTG) merchandise through his brand with a share of the proceeds going to breast cancer research and awareness.