Starship Entertainment

2008–2012: Founding and beginnings

Starship Entertainment was founded in 2008, by the couple Kim Shi-dae and Seo Hyun-joo with Kim Young-suk. Kim Shi-dae previously worked as a road manager for K-pop co-ed group Cool, as well as worked for Big Hit Entertainment between 2005 and 2007, while Seo Hyun-joo worked for JYP Entertainment.[7]

Starship's first artist was ex-Big Hit singer K.Will, who released his first single "Love 119" for the label in 2008.[8] In 2010, Starship debuted their first girl group Sistar, while their first boy group Boyfriend the following year.[9][10]

2013–present: Expansion and subsidiary labels

In 2013, Starship launched its first subsidiary label "Starship X", with rapper Mad Clown being its first signed artist.[11] On December 18, 70% of the label's shares were acquired by its distributor LOEN Entertainment (renamed to Kakao M in 2018 and predecessor of Kakao Entertainment), making it an independent subsidiary of the latter.[12] As of 2022, Kakao Entertainment is still the largest shareholder of the label, holding a 59.73% stake.[3]

In July 2014, Starship signed singer Jeong Se-woon, following his appearance on K-pop Star 3.[13] In December, Starship formed its second boy group Monsta X through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy,[14] with the seven winners of the show, debuted in 2015, and promoted as a hip hop boy group.[15]

In April 2015, Starship signed a mutual management contract with the Chinese label Yuehua Entertainment.[16] In December, they jointly formed a new girl group Cosmic Girls, also known as WJSN, debuted in 2016, and aimed at appealing to both South Korean and Chinese audiences.[17] In May, Starship acquired all of King Kong Entertainment's shares in a strategic partnership alliance. In January 2017, Starship and King Kong registered their merger. The agencies mutually agreed to use the name of Starship Entertainment, while the division that manages the actors would operate under the label "King Kong by Starship".[18]

In 2017, Starship launched another subsidiary label House of Music, which focused was on recruiting smaller, independent artists, with MoonMoon being the first artist signed under the label.[11] In November 2018, Starship renamed the label "Highline Entertainment".[19][20] In June, its first girl group Sistar disbanded, with members Dasom and Soyou remaining under Starship.[21][22]

In May 2019, its first boy group Boyfriend disbanded.[23] In December, Starship acquired the performance production company Shownote at 100% stake. It was established in 2005, which has an accumulated experience in producing live entertainment in various fields including musicals, concerts, plays, showcases, children's performances, exhibitions, and fan meetings.[24]

In 2020, Starship began expanding Highline, with signed artists such as Wonho, Yoo Seung-woo, and DJ Soda.[25][26][27] On April 14, Starship debuted its new boy group Cravity.[28] In August, Starship won the Korea Creative Content Agency Award, for their contributions to the Hallyu Wave.[6]

In June 2021, the label partnered with Eshy Gazit's new label venture Intertwine, in partnership with BMG. Monsta X and Wonho were the first two artists involved in the partnership, securing both a global distribution deal and expansion. On August 22, Starship is reported to form a new girl group, featuring then-trainees Jang Won-young and An Yu-jin, whom were formerly part of Iz*One, in the second half of 2021.[29] The girl group Ive debuted on December 1.[30][31]

In April 2022, Starship has appointed Lee Hoon-hee as the new CEO. He is an expert in the Korean entertainment industry, who has experienced music and media contents, and has served as CEO of KOEN Media Production Department, CEO of SM C&C, and the Head of Production at KBS. He will lead Starship with the current CEO Lee Jin-sung (CEO of King Kong by Starship).[32] On August 8, Starship released a statement announcing that all members of Monsta X renewed their contracts, except I.M, but he will still continue to participate in the group's future plans.[33] On October 24, Yang Jae-woong's older brother Yang Jae-jin, a psychiatrist and broadcaster, has signed an exclusive contract with the agency.[34]

In January 2023, Starship planned to open its Dear U bubble service for all its artists, starting in February for three years.[35] On March 3, Starship released a statement announcing that WJSN Chinese members' Xuanyi, Cheng Xiao, and Meiqi had departed from the group following the expiration of their contracts. In the same announcement, it was also stated that Luda and Dawon chose not to renew their contracts, but did not specify whether they will remain in the group.[36]

In September 2024, Starship announced that Jeong Se-woon chose not to renew his contract after being with the label for ten years.[37]

In February 2025, Starship announced that it will launch a new girl group KiiiKiii for the first time in four years since Ive in 2021.[38] On February 14, it was revealed that Starship will strengthen its multi-producing system and detailed management system by organizing them through divisions; Division 1 (K.Will, Monsta X, and Ive), Division 2 (WJSN and Cravity), and Division 3 (KiiiKiii), for domestic and global promotions.[39] On March 3, Starship announced that it will launch a new boy group for the first time in five years, following Monsta X and Cravity, aiming to debut within the year.[40] The girl group KiiiKiii debuted on March 24.[41] On July 16, it was reported that Starship had acquired a second headquarter building, valued at billion (approximately US$42.7 million).[42] The boy group Idid debuted on September 15, formed through the survival show Debut's Plan.[43] On October 28, Starship and Pop Mart signed LOI for global IP joint venture.[44]

Active

• 🇯🇵 Universal Music Japan
• 🇯🇵 Sony Music Japan
• 🇯🇵 Amuse Inc.
• 🇺🇸 Intertwine[47]

Former

• 🇯🇵 Being Group[48]
• 🇯🇵 Kiss Entertainment
• 🇨🇳 Yuehua Entertainment

Musicians

Soloists

• K.Will
• Kihyun
• Joohoney
• Seola[50]
• Dayoung

Groups

• Monsta X
• Shownu X Hyungwon
• WJSN
• Cravity
• Ive
• KiiiKiii
• Idid

Project groups

• Y-Teen (with KT Corporation)
• OG School Project (with Cube Entertainment)
• YDPP (with Brand New Music)
• WJMK (with Fantagio)

Starship X

• Brother Su
• Kiggen

Highline

• Wonho
• Leon
• DJ Vanto
• dress
• ROVXE
• Seungguk

Actors/actresses

Entertainers

• Yang Jae-jin[34]

Starship X

• Junggigo (2013–2018)
• Mad Clown (2013–2018)
• Jooyoung (2014–2021)
• #Gun (2015–2022)

Highline

• MoonMoon (2017–2018; contract terminated due to occlusion of a formal criminal record)[51]
• DJ Soda (2018–2021)[52]
• Lil Reta (2020–2022)[53]
• Jang Seok-hoon (2019–2022)
• PLUMA (2019–2022)
• M1NU (2020–2022)
• Yoo Seung-woo (2015–2020; 2020–2024)

Awards

Listicles