Complete List of South Korean Record Labels: K-Pop & Music Companies Directory
South Korean record labels play a pivotal role in shaping the global K-pop phenomenon and Korean music industry. I've compiled a comprehensive list of major and notable record labels operating in South Korea.
Big 4 Entertainment Companies: • SM Entertainment - Home to artists like EXO, Red Velvet, and NCT • JYP Entertainment - Houses TWICE, Stray Kids, and ITZY • YG Entertainment - Represents BLACKPINK, TREASURE, and WINNER • HYBE (formerly Big Hit) - Houses BTS, TXT, and ENHYPEN
Major Record Labels: • FNC Entertainment - Known for CNBLUE, AOA, and SF9 • Cube Entertainment - Home to (G)I-DLE and PENTAGON • Starship Entertainment - Houses IVE, MONSTA X, and WJSN • Pledis Entertainment - Manages SEVENTEEN and fromis_9 • RBW Entertainment - Home to MAMAMOO and PURPLE KISS • Woollim Entertainment - Houses GOLDEN CHILD and Rocket Punch • IST Entertainment - Manages The Boyz and APINK • DSP Media - Known for KARD and MIRAE • MNH Entertainment - Home to CHUNG HA • P NATION - Founded by PSY, houses HyunA and Dawn
Mid-Tier Labels: • Brand New Music - Houses AB6IX and BDC • Jellyfish Entertainment - Known for VERIVERY • TOP Media - Home to UP10TION • WM Entertainment - Houses OH MY GIRL and ONF • KQ Entertainment - Known for ATEEZ • Play M Entertainment - Houses VICTON and Apink • Source Music - Home to LE SSERAFIM • Stone Music Entertainment - Various solo artists • Brave Entertainment - Known for Brave Girls
Independent and Specialized Labels: • AOMG - Founded by Jay Park, focuses on hip-hop • H1GHR MUSIC - Hip-hop focused label • CHUNELL - Specializes in indie music • Magic Strawberry Sound - Known for indie artists • Antenna - Home to various singer-songwriters • C9 Entertainment - Houses CIX and EPEX • Mystic Story - Known for diverse musical genres • Million Market - Focuses on R&B and hip-hop • Feel Ghood Music - Founded by Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae
Subsidiary Labels: • ADOR (HYBE Labels) - Home to NewJeans • KOZ Entertainment (HYBE Labels) - Founded by Zico • Label SJ (SM Entertainment) - Super Junior's label • The Black Label (YG Entertainment) - Houses SOMI • OFF THE RECORD - Known for fromis_9 and IZ*ONE
This list represents the most significant record labels in South Korea, though new companies frequently emerge in this dynamic industry. Each label specializes in different musical styles and artist development approaches, contributing to the diverse Korean music landscape.
Note: Artist rosters mentioned are current as of 2024, and changes in artist affiliations may occur over time.