Agencies are known in Korea for letting ordinary people have a chance to reach for their dreams as idols, through contracts, they trained these idols on how to become as one. Throughout the years, the well-known top 3 entertainment companies in Korea, also known as "the Big 3," there has been a shift in this list for 2020. The "Burning Sun" scandal caused YG Entertainment to take a hit, causing a ruckus in the entertainment industry as well. However, as the year 2020 starts, it seems like it is going to be another busy year in the world of K-Pop!
1. Big Hit Entertainment
The success of Big Hit Entertainment is undoubted because of their group, BTS. Also, BTS has been having one of the most successful runs of all time as they have contributed $4.65 Billion in South Korea's GDP, and they could generate $40 billion over the next decade. It will surely going to be another busy year for Big Hit as BTS will be making their long-awaited comeback this February. With their strong fan base, it can be for sure that this comeback will be nothing short of legendary. BTS' juniors and super rookies Tomorrow By Together will also be continuing their promotions as their fandom increases in Korea and overseas. As Big Hit Entertainment has recently acquired Source Music Entertainment and PLEDIS Entertainment, people are looking forward to what is new for the masses.
2. JYP Entertainment
JYP has continuously grown with their groups TWICE, GOT7, Day6, Stray Kids, and ITZY. These said groups would be heading overseas to meet their fans in early this year. GOT7 will have a tour in Thailand, TWICE in Japan, Day6 for their world tour, Stray Kids and ITZY will also have a tour in the US and the rest of Asia. These five groups will surely be making comebacks in 2020 and bring new music to their fans. JYP was founded in 1997 by JY. Park and known to be the agency that handles legends such as Wonder Girls, Rain, and Miss A. TWICE and GOT7 will continue to focus on Japan as both are gaining a lot of popularity there.
3. SM Entertainment
They are now battling JYP for the 2nd spot and have recently focused on the Chinese market since 2018. After getting investments from Alibaba and Tencent, the company grew more in China. Most SM idols will continue to promote their activities this year with various comebacks from groups, solos, units, and more. BoA will also celebrate her 20th year in the industry since her debut, and recent news about SM's new girl group will be announced to the public soon. If this is confirmed, then this is going to be the first girl group to debut under SM since Red Velvet. In terms of foreign activities, it could depend on the schedules for groups such as WayV and SuperM.
4. CJ ENM
CJ ENM, known as the CJ Entertainment and Merchandising, has established exclusive labels called LM Entertainment (Yoon Jisung), Swing Entertainment (Kim Jaehwan), MMO Entertainment (Kim Feel, IN2IT, and Son Ho-young), and Studio Blu (Heize, DAVII, $ammy, Truedy, and Mia). They are not just a record label, but also a talent agency, a music production company, and are also one of the biggest co-publisher companies in South Korea. They have established their exclusive label called "Off The Record Entertainment" to manage the winners of the popular Korean singing program Produce 48, IZ*ONE, and the winner of Idol School, "Fromis 9."
