Baljunso (stylized in all caps) is a South Korean indie label founded in 1991 by Kang Byung-yong, former director of CAN Entertainment. Baljunso was acquired by SM Entertainment in 2014.
History
Baljunso, an indie label, was established in 1991 by Kang Byung-yong, the former CEO of Can Entertainment, who discovered many artists such as Kim Jong-seo, Jang Hye-jin, Park Sang-min, and Can.[1] Kang stated that the establishment of the record label is to revive hip-hop and band music associated with non-mainstream music genres rather than the idol music form that has been the foundation of influential K-pop.[2] SM Entertainment invested in the label to emphasize the variety of K-pop and globalize the industry.[3] It then became an affiliate label of SM establishing local and international distribution, marketing, and further businesses for the company.