Annyeong Chingus!

Unlike in the K-pop world ruled by the big 4 (SM, JYP, HYPE & YG), the entertainment companies managing our beloved Korean actors and actresses always seem to be low-key and not as criticized as the 4 musketeers above.

However, in a bit to regain creative control over their act and artistic fluidity, high-rise South Korean actors are branching out of the creative sector into the more corporate world of talent management and production.

Here are 7 South Korean actors who created their own entertainment companies.

Hyun Bin

Husband to So Ye Jin, Oppa to many, and popular for lead roles in Crash Landing on You, Secret Garden, Confidential Assignment Memories of Alhambra, and many more, this embodiment of many talents is a co-founder of Vast Entertainment and Media

Vast Entertainment was created in 2016 and is home to some of Korea's celebrities such as Shin Do Hyun, Do Woo, Kim Ji In, Kim Woo Kyum, and Kim Seo An. The company became a subsidiary of Kakao M in 2019 and is fast becoming one of Korea's most popular entertainment companies since the merger.

Lee Byung Hun

Also on the list is the veteran actor who is no stranger to Hollywood, Lee Byung Hun Ahjuicy. He is the founder of BH Entertainment which was created in 2006 and acquired by Kakao M in 2018.

This entertainment company is very famous in the international industry and manages a good number of South Korea's top talents such as Park Bo Young, Kim Go Eun, Park Jin Young, and Park Sung Hoon. Talk about a company of superstars.

Lee Jong Suk

Big Mouth star and IU's boo is the next CEO on our list. Lee Jong Suk founded his solo management company called A-Man Project in 2018 after his contract with YG Entertainment ended. The company later partnered with HighZium Studies which lasted till October 2023.

A-Man's Instagram page announced on January 4th, 2024 that Lee Jong Suk recently signed a contract with ACE FACTORY and will be in charge of activities regarding him.

Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung

What happens when two extremely talented Ahjussis with outstanding corporate and business skills become friends? You get a successful multi-national Entertainment company. Our beloved Squid Game and Tell Me You Love Me Ahjussis met on the set of the Film "City of the Rising Sun" in 1998, became close buddies, and co-founded the "Artist Label" entertainment company.

This company is home to outstanding talents such as Park So Dam, Ahn Seong Ji, Yeom Jung Ah, Kim Jong Su, Bae Seong Woo and, Shin Jung Geun.

Lee Je Hoon

Taxi Driver heartthrob also joined the list of actor-turned-entertainment company CEO in 2021 when he founded the entertainment agency "Company ON". The "온" (ON in Korean) signifies warmth and wholeness which he wants his agency to represent.

According to reports, he made this decision after his contract with a former agency expired and was worried about joining a company that may not have the same goal or objectives as him. Although established as a One-man company, actors Lee Dong Hwi and Kim Eun Bi have joined the family.

Lee Seung Gi

Triple threat award-winning Singer, Actor, and Host aka the Oppa of my dreams created a solo agency called Human Made in 2021. According to reports, Lee Seung Gi left his former agency, Hook Entertainment in 2021 due to unpaid loyalties of his 18-year music career under their agency and is in an ongoing legal dispute with them.

However, despite Human Made being active, Lee Seung Gi recently signed a contract with the "Big Planet Made" agency which manages talents such as Shinee's Taemin, Lee Mu Jin, and the Girl group "VIVIZ".

Going solo is never easy but these stars are testing new waters in their journey to growth, and creative freedom and impacting the entertainment industry as a whole. We can't wait to see what more they have in store for their adoring fans.