YG Entertainment is one of South Korea's most influential record companies.|YG Entertainment is a South Korean record company and talent agency. The company was founded by Yang Hyun Suk, a former member of the pop group Seo Taiji & Boys. The abbreviation "YG" in the title is the initials of Yang Hyun Suk (Yang Goon).
The company operates as a record label, talent agency, apparel, beauty brand, event and artist management, and music publisher. Currently, YG Entertainment, along with and , is one of the three most influential record companies in South Korea.
In March 1996, Yang Hyun Suk, former member legendary Korean group Seo Taiji and Boys founded the record label YG Entertainment with his brother Yang Minseok. In 1999, the artists of the company released their first joint album called "YG Family".
In 2009, the company made an attempt to get listed on the stock exchange, however, it was refused. It is believed that the reason for YG Entertainment's refusal was too few artists of the company and unstable cash flow. In November 2011, the company still managed to pass the check of the exchange committee and become a member of KOSDAQ. The company presented its first annual report in 2012 with a net profit of more than 50%.
In March 2010, the seven largest agencies in Korea - YG Entertainment, StarEmpire Entertainment, MediaLine, CAN Entertainment, and Music Factory - formed a joint venture known as KMP Holdings. KMP Holdings is a service platform that aims to ensure the fair distribution of digital music, music service, and television programming.
In November 2012, KMP Holdings was acquired by KT Music. The seven agencies formed a collective bond partnership in January 2014. Together they acquired a 13.48% stake in KT Music, leaving the parent company with a 49.99% stake in the company.
In 2014, YG merged with T Entertainment, which includes actors such as Cha SeungWon, Im YeJin, and Jang HyunSung. In addition, through the acquisition of modeling agency K-Plus, YG has expanded its influence.
On September 13, 2014, private equity L Capital Asia announced that it would invest up to $80 million in YG Entertainment. L Capital Asia became the second largest investor in YG Entertainment.
In 2015, Tablo created his own independent label HIGHGRND, however financially supported by YG. The label's first band was Hyukoh. Teddy and Kush also formed their own sub-label The Black Label, which is fully funded and supported by the main label.
YG Entertainment and Avex Entertainment formed a new label in Japan, YGEX, to promote YG Entertainment artists in the Japanese market. YGEX works as an intermediary between the two companies. YG E also got the opportunity to launch their own Japanese programs.
In 2015, YG Entertainment invested about $100 million in an industrial complex in Gyeonggi-do that will house a recording studio, as well as a recreational tourist complex. They also purchased some $14 million worth of real estate in Seoul to expand their headquarters.
As of March 2016, YG Entertainment's official channel has a total of 800 million views and over 2.2 million subscribers.
In addition, YG Entertainment does charity work. In 2009, YG Entertainment pledged to donate 100 won from each album sale, 1% of all merchandise sold, and 1,000 won per concert ticket to charity. In 2009 the amount was $141,000, and in 2010 it was $160,000. The company donated about $500,000 to disaster relief in Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. In 2013, founder and CEO Yang Hyun Suk donated all the dividends he received as a shareholder of YG Entertainment to help young children in need of surgery. The amount was about $1 million. On May 4, 2015, YG Entertainment donated a total of 100 million Korean won (~$92,450 USD) to the UNICEF Korea Committee to help rebuild the earthquake damage in Nepal.
The main artists of the company
1TYM is a four-member boy band. The group debuted in 1999, led by Teddy Park. In 2006, the group suspended its activities in connection with the departure of military service Oh Jin Hwan. At this time, Baek Kyoung took on the project group MoogaDang. Leader, Teddy Park is one of the producers of YG Family. (there was no official information about the breakup of the group)
Jinusean are a hip-hop duo formed in 1997. The duo consists of Jin-woo Kim and Noh Seung-hwan. (there was no official information about the breakup of the group)
He founded the record company YG Entertainment. The first group to debut under this label was Keep Six, who released their only album. Six in tha chamber in May of the same year. The next artist of the company was the duet Jinusean, which received recognition from the public and became quite popular. This was followed by the release of albums by the group 1TYM and the head of the company, Yang Hyun Suk. 1TYM and Jinusean are also considered the leaders in the popularization of hip hop in Korea. In 1999, the artists of the company recorded a compilation album under the common name YG Family.
In subsequent years, the company released albums by Perry, Swi.T, Wheesung, as well as a second compilation album by YG Family. In 2003, the group Big Mama debuted, which gained fame precisely due to its vocal abilities, and not external ones. He then debuted under YG Entertainment solo singer Se7en as well as solo singers Lexi and Gummy. In 2005, the YG Underground subsidiary formed and released hip hop groups 45RPM and Stony Skunk. In addition, through a series of contracts between YG Entertainment and Nexstar Records, Se7en began selling his albums and performing in Japan.
In 2006, the company's first male idol group, Big Bang, debuted. Big Bang became very popular in the country immediately after their debut.
2008 marked the new release of Gummy and Um Jung-hwa. In 2009, the company introduced the debut of another idol group, this time the female 2NE1, who almost immediately found themselves among the leaders of the K-pop industry. Big Bang at this time began activities in Japan and released their first album in Japanese, "Big Bang". G-Dragon, leader of Big Bang also released solo album in Korea, which later became the best-selling album of 2009.
On July 27, 2011, YG Entertainment announced that Tablo, the leader of the hip-hop group Epik High, had signed an exclusive 4-year contract with the agency, and Epik High joined the company the following July.
In 2013, Yang Hyun Suk announced the survival show WIN: Who Is Next, at the end of which the new idol group WINNER would be announced. The already formed 2 groups Team A and Team B participated in the show. As a result, Team A won, which debuted in 2014 under its new name WINNER. The fate of the other team was unknown for a whole year. During this time, Bobby and leader B.I. participated in the 3rd season of Show me the money, where Bobby won.
In the second half of 2014, a new survival show, MIX&Match, was announced to form a new idol group, iKON. Three more members were added to the previous Team B roster, so that in the end 7 of them debuted. In the middle of the show, it was announced that B.I., Bobby and JinHwan would be the members of the group, while the rest of the members would continue to compete for places in the group. As a result, iKON was formed from the original members of Team B and Chanwoo.
On August 8, 2016, a new female idol group named BLACKPINK debuted. The group received huge success immediately after their debut.↵This is the second women's group YG since 2NE1's debut.
In May-July 2019, a new boy group TREASURE13 will debut, which is divided into two subgroups TREASURE and MAGNUM. The group was formed through the survival show "YG Treasure Box"
And GMM International in Thailand. In 2005, a subsidiary label, YG Underground, was created, recording artists such as: 45RPM and Stony Skunk. On top of that, at this time, Se7en started his overseas promotions, and through the cooperation, YG, from Nexstar was able to enter the market Japan. Next in 2009 YG founds the "YG With" campaign, which does charity work. 100 won from each album sold, 1% of the income from sales of various merchandise (from the English merchandise - goods) and one thousand won from each sold concert ticket were allocated to charity. Jinusean's Sean co-founded the 10,000 won Miracle project, which raises funds for disabled children. Big Bang, 2NE1 and other members YG Entertainment contributed to the project.
In November 2011, the company managed to pass the check of the exchange committee and become a member of the "Korea Association of Securities Market Participants" (KOSDAQ). After this event 18 entertainers and actors YG Entertainment were given the opportunity to become shareholders of their agency. This is the first time that the major shareholders of a Korean entertainment agency have transferred their share rights to artists and actors. Thus, these 18 artists and actors got the opportunity to participate in the activities and promotion of the agency.
In 2011 YG Entertainment And Avex Japan merged into YGEX - a company main goal which is the promotion of artists YG abroad. In July 2011, Tablo / Tablo leader of the group Epik High supported by YG Entertainment, signed an exclusive 4-year contract with the agency, after which scoreboard opens his own hip-hop label HIGH GROUND.
In 2014-2015 YG continues to expand the business.
YG Entertainment signed an investment contract with one of the best Korean modeling agencies K Plus. By signing a cooperation agreement, YG created its own model branch called "YGK+K".
In 2014 YG Entertainment And Samsung Cheil Industry launched a new line of clothing brand NONA9ON. On September 12, shops were opened in Gangnam, the richest and most fashionable area in Seoul.
February 23, 2014 YG Entertainment jointly with Woori Bank issues a debit bank card YG, with which users could receive discounts, including for purchases in the online store YG- "YG E-shop", as well as when buying tickets for concerts, movies and restaurants.
In October 2014, merging with the third in a row in China cosmetics company Guangzhou Huanya Cosmetics Technology and Korean cosmetics manufacturer COSON, YG Entertainment launches its own cosmetic line "Moonshot".
In September 2015 YG Entertainment opens a new branch "YG Stage" to focus on the promotion of actors and actresses signed to the agency. " YG Stage has become the agency's new platform for working with actors and actresses such as Cha Seung Won, Choi Ji Woo, Jung Hye Young.
In 2014 YG announced plans to build a "YG Land" complex in USA. A spokesman for the agency made the following statement: We will establish a facility in the US called "YG Land" to prepare the base for our expansion into the North American market. The agency has partnered with M+D Properties to build a building on the site of a shopping and entertainment complex " ", which is scheduled to open in Southern California in 2015. YG hope to use YG Land"to spread their trademark and various content related to agency artists.
In 2015 YG Entertainment invested $100 million to build a new complex in Gyeonggi-do, which will house recording studios and production facilities. It is planned that it will become another attractive attraction of the capital. Korea. Construction will be completed by December 2018.
September 22, 2015 YG announced that producers Teddy / Teddy and Kush / Kush will create their own independent sub-label, similar to the label HIGH GROUND organized by scoreboard. One of the representatives YG told the media: " [New label's] music will be different than YG's usual sound, so [Teddy and Kush] will probably look for new artists".
YG Entertainment is a South Korean record label and talent agency. The company was founded by Yang Hyun Suk, a former member of the pop group Seo Taiji & Boys.
The abbreviation "YG" in the name is the initials of Yang Hyun Suk (Yang Goon).
Currently, YG Entertainment, along with SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment, is one of the three most influential record companies in South Korea.
History
March 1996 Yang Hyun Suk, former member of the legendary Korean group Seo Taiji and Boys, founded the record company YG Entertainment. The first band to debut under this label was Keep Six who released his only album "Six in tha Chamber" in May of the same year. The next artist of the company was the duet Jinusean, which received recognition from the public and became quite popular. The group's album releases followed. 1TYM and the head of the company, Yang Hyun Suk. 1TYM and Jinusean are also considered the leaders in the popularization of hip hop in Korea. In 1999, the artists of the company recorded a compilation album under the common name YG Family.
In subsequent years, the company released albums Perry, Swi.T, Wheesung, as well as the second compilation of YG Family. The group debuted in 2003 big mama, which gained fame precisely because of its vocal abilities, and not external ones. Solo singer then debuted under YG Entertainment Se7en as well as solo singers Lexi And gummy. In 2005 subsidiary YG Underground formed and produced hip-hop groups 45RPM And Stony Skunk. In addition, thanks to a number of contracts between YG Entertainment and Nexstar Records, Se7en started selling his albums and performing in Japan. In 2006, the company's first male idol group debuted, big bang. Big Bang became very popular in the country immediately after their debut.
2008 was marked by the new release of Gummy and om jung hwa. In 2009, the company introduced the debut of another idol group, this time a female group, 2NE1, who almost immediately found themselves among the leaders of the K-pop industry. Big Bang at this time began activities in Japan and released their first album in Japanese, "Big Bang". g-dragon, the leader of Big Bang, also released a solo album in Korea, which went on to become the best-selling album of 2009.
PSY, a famous rapper at that time, signed a contract with the label in 2010 and released an album "Psy Five". Also this year, the company made an attempt to get listed on the stock exchange, however, it was refused. YG Entertainment's refusal is believed to be due to the company's too few artists and unstable cash flow. In November 2011, the company still managed to pass the check of the exchange committee and become a member KOSDAQ.
On July 27, 2011, YG Entertainment announced that scoreboard leader of a hip hop group Epik High, signed an exclusive 4-year contract with the agency, and in July of the following year, Epik High joined the company.
| Debut | Artist | Floor | Participation Nicky | Leader | Year of decay | Fan club | Color |
| 1996 | Keep Six | male | 3 | — | 1996 | ||
| 1997 | Jinusean | male | 2 | — | — | Red | |
| 1998 | male | solo | — | ||||
| 1998 | 1TYM | male | 4 | Teddy Pack | — | hip hop village | the black |
| 2001 | Perry | male | solo | — | 2001 | ||
| 2002 | Swi.T | feminine | 3 | — | 2005 | ||
| 2002 | Wheesung | male | solo | — | left the company | ||
| 2003 | big mama | feminine | 4 | — | left the company | ||
| 2003 | Masta Wu | male | solo | — | — | ||
| 2003 | Se7en | male | solo | — | — | Lucky 7 | light green |
| 2003 | Lexi | feminine | solo | — | left the company | ||
| 2003 | gummy | feminine | solo | — | — | ||
| 2005 | 45RPM | male | 3 | Smash | left the company | ||
| 2005 | Stony Skunk | male | 2 | — | 2010 | ||
| 2006 | big bang | male | 5 | g-dragon | — | VIP | yellow and black |
| 2009 | 2NE1 | feminine | 4 | CL | — | blackjack | hot pink |
| 2010 | PSY | male | solo | — | — | PSYcho | the black |
| 2011 | scoreboard | male | solo | — | — | high school | the black |
| 2012 | Lee Hi | feminine | solo | — | — | high heels | |
| 2012 | Epik High | male | 3 | scoreboard | — | high school | the black |
Producers
- Perry
- PJ
- Teddy Pack
- G-Dragon (leader of Big Bang)
- T.O.P (Big Bang member)
- Taeyang (member of Big Bang)
- Seungri (member of Big Bang)
- Rina Moon
- Choice37
- Choi Pil Kang (PK)
- DEE.P
- bigtone
- Lydia Pack (member of Quest Crew)
- Rovin (Jung Jung-hwan)
- Tablo (Daniel Armand Lee) (leader of Epik High)
- E.knock (aka Kush from Stony Skunk)
Actors/Actresses
- Jung Hyo Young (Jinusean's Sean's wife)
- goo hye-sun
- Kang Hyo-jeong (Tablo's wife)
- Sandara Park (Dara from 2NE1)
- Dong Young Bae (Taeyang from Big Bang)
- Choi Seung Hyun (T.O.P from Big Bang)
- Kang Dae Sung (Tae Sung of Big Bang)
- Lee Seung Hyun (Big Bang Seungri)
- Yoo In Na
- Yang Hyun Mo
Interns
- Kim Eun Bi (participant on Mnet talent show 'Superstar K2')
- Kang Seung Yoon (participant on Mnet talent show 'Superstar K2')
- Yeona Kim (participant on Mnet's talent show "Superstar K3")
- Jenny Kim
- Lalisa Manoban
- Lee Ha Yi (SBS Talent Show 'K-Pop Star' contestant, silver medalist)
- Lee Seung Hoon (participant in SBS Talent Show 'K-Pop Star')
Former performers
- 45RPM
- big mama
- Ho Yi Jae
- Ji-eun
- Lexi (SB&W Entertainment)
- Park Han Byul (now under Barunson Entertainment)
- soul star
- Stony Skunk
- Swi.T
- Wheesung
- Brave Brothers (now CEO Brave Entertainment)
- Jang Hyun Seung (now under Cube Entertainment, member of B2ST)
- Kim Jun Soo (now under JYP Entertainment, 2pm member)
- Mei Doni (now under LOEN Entertainment)
- Park Po Hyun (now in B2M entertainment, member of spica)
dancers
- Dance group (female) crazy girls Cast: Kim Ji Hyo, Yoon Hee Jin, Yoon Hee Seo, Pok Mi Ran, Won Ah Young, Kim Min Jung, Oh Hyo Ryong, Park Eun Young.
- Dance group (male) Hi-Tech Cast: Kwon Young Deuk, Kwon Young Dong (Kwon Twins), Park Jung Hyun, Seo Ki Chul, Jo Sung Min, Kim Pyeong Gun, Kwon Chul Joon, Kim Kwang Won, Kim Hee Yoon, Hansol Lee, Song Won Ki
YG Family concerts and tours
- One Concert 2003 (South Korea)
- color of the Soul Train (South Korea)
- One Concert 2004 (South Korea)
- Thank U Concert 2005 (South Korea)
- One Concert 2005 (South Korea)
- 10th Anniversary World Tour 2006 (South Korea, Japan & USA)
- One Concert 2007 (South Korea)
- Concert 2010 (South Korea)
- YG Family Concert 2011 (South Korea, Japan)