Cover Korean entertainment icons Zico (Woo Ji-ho) and Blackpink’s Jennie (Jennie Kim) in a promotional shoot for their collaborative single, ‘Spot!’ (Photo: Instagram/@woozico0914)
Korean entertainment icons Zico (Woo Ji-ho) and Blackpink’s Jennie (Jennie Kim) in a promotional shoot for their collaborative single, ‘Spot!’ (Photo: Instagram/@woozico0914)
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These Korean entertainment companies have already conquered fans’ hearts–now, they’re set on conquering the continent by expanding their companies into other Asian markets
Exciting times are ahead for Hallyu as Korean entertainment companies are spending billions of dollars expanding and acquiring companies overseas. In particular, the Asian markets.
Read more: From Seoul to Cannes: How Korean movies conquered the world’s most prestigious film festivals
These companies, the masterminds behind the K-pop idol groups you can’t stop dancing to, the Korean dramas (K-dramas) you binge-watch until late into the night, and movies sweeping up awards faster than you can say Parasite, have cracked the code. As they continue to create addictive content, they’re also sprinkling their Hallyu magic all over Asia.
It's like watching a K-drama unfold. Only this time, it's happening in boardrooms and production studios all over the continent.
SM Entertainment
Above From left: Aespa members Winter (Kim Min-jeong), Giselle (Aeri Uchinaga), Karina (Yu Ji-min), and Ningning (Ning Yizhuo) in a promotional shoot for ‘Hot Mess’, their Japan debut single (Photo: Instagram/@smtown)
From left: Aespa members Winter (Kim Min-jeong), Giselle (Aeri Uchinaga), Karina (Yu Ji-min), and Ningning (Ning Yizhuo) in a promotional shoot for ‘Hot Mess’, their Japan debut single (Photo: Instagram/@smtown)
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SM Entertainment, established in 1995 by Lee Soo-man, is the powerhouse that has been training and churning out K-pop stars since the 90s such as SNSD (Girls' Generation), Super Junior, Exo, Red Velvet, NCT, and Aespa. But they’re not just about the music, they’ve also dipped their toes into the world of TV production, collaborating with local companies to create shows that combine Korean storytelling with local flavours–like fusion cuisine but for your eyes and ears.
See also: Girls’ Generation: How rich are the members of the K-pop girl group?
In April 2000, SM Entertainment became the first company in the entertainment industry to be listed in KOSDAQ (IPO). It’s also one of the first entertainment companies, alongside YG Entertainment, to join the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI).
Not content with just dominating the Korean market and with their sights set on the entire continent, SM Entertainment has propelled itself outside of South Korea. The company has been making some smart moves in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, opening offices in Tokyo and Beijing–and not just to export its existing portfolio of Korean entertainment stars but also to create new groups tailored specifically for these markets.
Hybe Corporation
Above From left: BTS members Jin (Kim Seok-jin), RM (Kim Nam-joon), V (Kim Tae-hyung), Jimin (Park Ji-min), Suga (Min Yoon-gi), J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok), and Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook) in a promotional shoot for ‘Yet To Come’ (Photo: Instagram/@hybe.labels.audition)
From left: BTS members Jin (Kim Seok-jin), RM (Kim Nam-joon), V (Kim Tae-hyung), Jimin (Park Ji-min), Suga (Min Yoon-gi), J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok), and Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook) in a promotional shoot for ‘Yet To Come’ (Photo: Instagram/@hybe.labels.audition)
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Hybe Corporation, otherwise simply known as Hybe, was established in 2005 by Bang Si-hyuk as Big Hit Entertainment Co., Ltd. The Korean entertainment company, now a household name, is behind the global phenomenon BTS, which has reached unprecedented stature. But beyond the news of the K-pop idol group consistently winning major music awards and selling out concerts, behind the scenes, Hybe has been expanding faster than anyone can keep up with–and they're not afraid to think outside the box.
Don’t miss: Here’s how you can score a stay at BTS’ ‘In the Soop’ estate
We’re not talking about just successfully debuting a slew of new K-pop idol groups such as NewJeans, Le Sserafim, and Illit.
In 2021, Hype acquired Ithaca Holdings, the American company behind pop superstars like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. And that’s not all. They've also set up Hybe Japan and Hybe America, proving that their ambitions stretch far beyond the shores of Korea, bringing innovative change throughout the global music industry, and using their expertise to nurture local talent in other countries.
CJ ENM
Above Behind-the-scenes of tvN’s record-breaking 2024 K-drama ‘Queen of Tears’ with Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won who play Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in respectively (Photo: Instagram/@soohyun_k216)
Behind-the-scenes of tvN’s record-breaking 2024 K-drama ‘Queen of Tears’ with Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won who play Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in respectively (Photo: Instagram/@soohyun_k216)
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Korean entertainment behemoth, which owns South Korean nationwide pay television network tvN, is home to some of the most popular K-dramas and variety shows the world has been obsessing over. Remember Crash Landing on You or more recently, Queen of Tears, two of tvN’s highest-rated K-dramas? That was them. The multiple Oscar-winning Parasite? Yes, them again. CJ ENM is like the fairy godmother of Korean entertainment, turning everything they touch into gold.
Read more: ‘Queen of Tears’: Discover the filming locations of the explosive K-drama
The company has been making waves all over Asia with its unstoppable expansion strategy, partnering with companies in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia to create local versions of their hit shows and exporting happiness, one addictive TV show at a time. CJ ENM isn't just bringing Korean content to other countries, they're also bringing Asian content to Korea and the world. They've invested in production companies in Japan and Hong Kong, proving that they're not just interested in a one-way cultural exchange.
Above 24kumi (24組 in Japanese), an upcoming trainee group under Hype Labels Japan, covering the dance choreography for NewJeans’ 2022 single, ‘Attention’
So, what does all this mean for you, the avid consumer of Asian entertainment?
Well, you’re in for a treat because you’ll be seeing more diverse content, more cross-cultural collaborations, and more Asian stars breaking onto the global stage. As these thrilling expansions build bridges between the different Asian cultures, through music, dramas, and variety shows, you’ll learn more about other customs, languages, and ways of life.
See also: The impact of K-dramas that gained international acclaim
These Korean giants are leading the charge and the entertainment world is becoming one big melting pot. The best part is... you’ve got row seats to watch it all unfold.
This article/explainer was assisted by AI. We are dedicated to bringing you into our world with more meaningful content, and AI is allowing us to explore this frontier and deliver more content you will love.
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Lainey was the Digital Director of Tatler Malaysia. When not whiling away the hours watching documentaries, the latest K-drama, or reruns of Friends, she can be found indulging her wanderlust by stalking travel platforms or feeding her obsession with music. She loves animals, running, all things social media, a good conversation over coffee or soju or wine (often rambling on if nobody pulls the brakes on her), and is an avid fan of bursting-at-the-seams laughter.
