5. Cube Entertainment
I was never really a Cube family fan, but it doesn't mean i don't admire them. Though Cube Entertainment(founded in 2008) may be known as the "Second Hand" company(many of their artists were trainees or singers in other companies previously), they never fail to amaze with their talent. G.NA, Yoseob, Huh Gak and many others are well known for their amazing vocals, Yoseob even ranking second in an idol voting of Best Singers. There are many mentionable persons in Cube, such as HyunA. HyunA is known to be an excellent rapper while also showcasing awesome dancing and variety skills. B2ST is known for their fantastic teamwork.
B2ST, 4Minute and G.NA have also been a huge success not only in Korea, but over the world as well. 4Minute has won awards such as the "Asia Influential Artists" and "Most Influential Artists while B2ST had won the "MSN International Award" and "Ceci Kpop Icon Award". G.NA has some of her hit songs not only in Korean, but in English as well while both B2ST and 4Minute promote in Japan. This clearly shows how much influence the Cube Family has on the Hallyu industry.
4. JYP Entertainment
*15&, JJ Project, Baek Ah Yeon and others are not included in this photo
JYP Entertainment, founded in 1997 by Park Jin Young, is on my list at fourth. Artists in JYP such as Jun.K, 2AM, 15& are known for their exceptional vocals while others such as Wooyoung, Min and many others are known for their great dance skills. Many JYP artists such as JoKwon, Min and 2PM are also well known for their entertaining variety skills and others like Suzy, Sohee and Nichkhun are loved for their crazy good looks. Suzy, Taecyeon, JJ Project, Chansung, Wooyoung and many others have touched the acting industry. Even with all this talent, however, JYP is not known for its talent, but rather for it's family like atmosphere. Any JYP Nation fan will know how much they support each other, whether it is going to a labelmate's musical, to a concert, or even just a tweet on their new song.
Internationally, their groups are very well known, with Wondergirls' albums not only in Korean, but also in Chinese, Japanese and English. They even had their own TV movie in the US! Other JYP artists promoting in other countries are Miss A, who are well known in China and 2PM and 2AM in Japan. Miss A holds 4 international awards, 2PM with 6 and Wondergirls with 9. Many artists in JYP are from other countries, Fei, Jia and Nichkhun who are not of Korean descent, and Taecyeon and Lim, both who lived much of their lives overseas. JYP Entertainment artists definitely grasp on international popularity.
Some notable former artists of JYP Ent would be Rain, K.Will, G.O.D, Jay Park, HyunA and Noel.
3. TS Entertainment
* Actress Han Soo Yeon is not included in this photo
Founded in 2008, TS Entertainment is listed as third. Though this family only consists of eleven, the talent in this company is no exception. Jieun, Sunhwa, Daehyun, Youngjae and Hyosung are all well known for their vocals, Jongup, Zinger and Zelo for their dancing, and Zinger, Zelo, Himchan and Yongguk for their rapping. All artists in this company are known for being multitalented. Himchan is also known for his acting skills, featuring as the male protagonist in "Going Crazy" and being in commercials as a trainee. The five ladies of TS melt the hearts of men with their pretty faces while B.A.P have fans going crazy with their handsome looks and cheeky smiles.
Though the company is young, both idol groups are widely known internationally. Secret also promotes in Japan and have toured all over the world. They debuted in the Top 10 on the Oricon charts, being one of only three girl groups to ever do so. B.A.P, though they have only been in the industry for a year, are already scheduled for a tour across Asia and the US. Their debut song hit 10th on Billboard's World Album Charts while their their sixth promotional song hit 1st on the same chart 13 months later. Artists of the TS family are definitely ones to watch!
****Edit: I now know how bullshit this is.
2. SM Entertainment
SM is noticeably the biggest company in the Kpop industry, their faces can be barely made out in the above picture! Founded in 1995, it is the first company specifically made for the Korean entertainment industry. Though many people believe SM is all for the visuals, it is not true at all. Yes, many of the SM Town idols are known for their pretty faces, but it is not all there is. In fact, many of their artists are selected as the best in their selected talent. Max Changmin, Kyuhyun, Jonghyun,Taeyeon, Luna and many others are known for their exceptional singing talent, Taemin, Eunhyuk, Hyoyeon, U-Know Yunho, BoA, Kai and others are known to be some of the best dancers in K-pop. Many of the artists, including Minho, Super Junior, Sulli and half of Girls' Generation have tried their hand in acting, with Siwon and Yoona acknowledged as two of the best acting idols.
International fans would recognise any of SM Town, with BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, SNSD, SHINee and f(x) promoting in Japan, Super Junior M and EXO M in China, and BoA and SNSD in USA. Super Junior, SNSD and DBSK are house names for any Kpop fan. f(x) has 4 International awards, SHINee has 13, BoA and DBSK both have won 18, SNSD with 23, and Super Junior with 78. Together they have 136 international awards, and these are just the international ones. BoA is labelled as "Queen of Kpop", TVXQ with "Kings of Kpop" and "Asia's Stars", Super Junior with "Kings of the Hallyu Wave" and SNSD with "The Nation's Singers" and "Global Girl Group". Clearly, SM are top in popularity internationally.
I would also like to give a tribute paragraph to DB5K. Though many new kpop fans take no notice of them, they are the most talented group of the industry. All the members could sing beautifully and dance exceptionally while still be the best looking idols of the 2nd generation. Even Yunho, who was the rapper, could sing quite well. They were known for their live performances, which are even better than the recorded song. All the members are now known not only as idols, but also as actors. They had the largest official fanbase record ever, being put in the Guinness World Records. Then, they were again in the Guinness World Records for being the Most Photographed Celebrities in the World. Together as five, they won every award they were nominated for, resulting in 50 Korean Awards and 18 International awards. However, their glory came to a halt when JYJ(Junsu, Yoochun and Jaejoong) decided to file a complaint against SM about 13 year long contract. JYJ returned to the industry in a small company and TVXQ had a 2 year and 3 month hiatus before releasing an album with re-recorded songs. Though they are split, they remain legends of the Kpop industry. And as a Cassiopeia would say, Always Keep the Faith.<3
Notable former artists of SM: H.O.T, S.E.S, Shinhwa, Fly to the Sky, Hangeng, JYJ.
1. YG Entertainment.
Now my favourite company, YG! YG Entertainment was formed in 1998 by twin brothers Hyun-suk and Min-suk, the former previously part of legendary Korean band Seo Taiji and Boys. YG is known for its Hip Hop roots and freedom. The talent in this company is undeniable. Gummy, Daesung and Bom are known for their exceptional voices while Taeyang and Minzy rank as the best dancers of the 3rd generation idols. T.O.P, GD and CL rank in the best rappers while T.O.P also ranks as the best looking idol and one of the best acting idols. Big Bang, Epik High and Se7en are widely known for writing their own lyrics and composing their own songs, Big Bang usually writing and composing 80% of each album. GD is acknowledged as one of the best lyricist idols. With all this talent, they definitely put it to good use.
YG family's international fanbase in no joke. Big Bang has released many English songs while 2NE1 is preparing for their US debut. Both idol groups promote in Japan. Se7en also promotes in Japan, China and USA and Gummy promotes in Japan, having spent several years there. PSY is definitely internationally popular, with Gangnam Style, the only Youtube video to hit a billion views and Gentleman with 207 million views and counting. 2NE1 has recieved 25 International awards, Se7en with 9, PSY with 13, Big Bang with 46 international awards and GD with 5 for himself. Altogether, they have 98 International awards won by 2 groups and 2 soloists. Clearly their international popularity is the best.
Notable former artists and actors of YG: Wheesung, Big Mama, Park Han Byul, Brave Brothers.
Now that i've finished with my list, what's yours?
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