2010–present: Change in leadership, acquisition and business expansion
In March 2010, Lee Ho-yeon suffered a stroke, after which his wife, Choi Mi-kyung began running the company. Lee Ho-yeon was considered a major component of the group's success, which began to see a decline following his retirement from the company due to his stroke.[3] Following Choi becoming president of DSP, several members of the girl group Kara filed a lawsuit to end their contract with DSP.[3][4]
In August 2015, DSP debuted girl group April, with former member of Puretty, Jeon Somin joined in the line-up and then left the group in November 2015. In October 2016, another former member of Puretty, Yoon Chae-kyung were added as a new member of the group.
On January 15, 2016 KARA officially disbanded following the expiration of Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon and Goo Hara's contracts, while Heo Youngji remained with DSP as a soloist.
In July 2017, DSP debuted four-member co-ed group Kard, with former member of DSP girl group Puretty and April, Jeon So-min joined in the line-up.
In the early morning of February 14, 2018, Lee Ho Yeon died at the age of 64, after a long battle with an illness.[5][6]
On January 31, 2020, DSP Media announced the launch of official accounts including Twitter and V Live for their upcoming boy group DSP N, including former X1's member, Son Dong-pyo.[7] DSP N later debuted as Mirae on March 17, 2021.[8]
On January 26, 2022, it was announced that DSP Media had 39.1% of its shares bought by RBW, which houses idol groups such as Mamamoo, Oneus, Vromance, Onewe and Purple Kiss. DSP Media will be merged into RBW as a subsidiary.[9]
On December 14, 2022, DSP Media announced the acquisition of Goodfellas Entertainment, with their producer Lee Seok-joo, composer Lee Yul-i, singer Lee Jin-jae and duo Baby Blue joining DSP, whereas their CEO Min Myeong-gi also appointment as Lead Producer of DSP.[10]
On May 13, 2023, Soloist Ahn Ye-eun signed with DSP.[11]
On June 1, 2023, DSP was announced to expansions actor management business with acquisitions of actor agency Jikim Entertainment and Urban Works Media, the latter was acquired by RBW in December 2022. Jikim’s former CEO Kim Jin-il would be leading the actors' department under DSP.[12]
On June 22, 2023, DSP Media announced the debut of a new five-member girl group in collaboration with Beats Entertainment around the second half of the year, their first girl group since April (2015).[13] The name of the group, Young Posse, was revealed on July 12.[14] The group first introduced at the RBW 2023 Summer Fes ~Over The Rainbow~ in Seoul on July 16 [15] and eventually debuted on October 18.[16][17]
In August 2023, actor Kim Min signed with DSP Media.[18]
