It's probably the end of an era. One of South Korea's largest entertainment agencies, YG Entertainment, is shutting down its actors' department.
On January 17, YG Entertainment announced that it would be ending operations for its actors' unit in a bid to focus more on their music. ICYDK, YG has been handling K-pop groups in addition to Korean actors and actresses.
YG Entertainment explained that it aims to write a new chapter in the company's growth. South Korean media reported that YG's move resulted from the company's "business restructuring."
Conversations with their actors had already been conducted and managed prior to the announcement. Soompi reported a translated part of YG Entertainment's statement, "We sincerely thank all the actors who have been with us and fans who have shown them so much love. We will spare no effort in providing the necessary support until the very end."
The statement also shared, "We have consistently worked on restructuring our business to focus on our core operations. We are positioning 2025 as the inaugural year where these efforts will bear fruit. While enhancing the sustainability of our existing IP (intellectual property), we will also accelerate the discovery and development of new IP. By continuously strengthening our core competencies and solidifying our leadership in the music industry."
Who are the actors and actresses under YG Entertainment?
In 2014, YG Entertainment decided to expand and acquire talents who explored the acting industry. It started with acquiring T Entertainment's people including Cha Seung Won (Our Blues), Im Ye Jin, and Jang Hyun Sung (Flex X Cop). YG also acquired the modeling agency, KPlus, which has sustained its impact by shaping model-actors to their full potential and introducing them to the public.
We're not exaggerating when we tell you that YG Entertainment has handled a roster of actors that made our K-drama experiences unforgettable. It's also why YG Entertainment's recent announcement is heartbreaking for most fans. Below, we reintroduce some of the actors left in YG who have flourished in their acting careers with YG Entertainment.
1. Kim Hee Ae
Kim Hee Ae signed with YG Entertainment in 2016. Since then, she had her fair share of hit K-dramas like, The World of the Married, Queenmaker, and more.
2. Cha Seung Won
As mentioned earlier, Cha Seung Won is one of the first actors under YG Entertainment. Seung Won is known to be one of the successful model-turned-actors in South Korea. He starred in the shows, Korean Odyssey, One Ordinary Day, Our Blues, and more. He was also a part of a couple of variety shows in Korea like Three Meals A Day.
3. Jang Hyun Sung
Veteran actor Jang Hyun Sung was also one of the first actors who joined YG Entertainment in 2014. The former theater actor explored the world of screen acting and became part of several K-dramas, either as a lead or supporting character. He was in Flex X Cop, Under the Queen's Umbrella, and While You Were Sleeping.
4. Yoo In Na
Yoo In Na started as a trainee under YG Entertainment in 2006. She endured years of rigorous training until she debuted in her first lead role in the series, Queen and I. She became more popular after she starred in the super hit drama, Goblin. There she starred opposite leading man Lee Dong Wook in the K-drama Touch Your Heart, which became a top-billed series.
5. Lee Sung Kyung
Lee Sung Kyung joined YG Entertainment through the YG KPlus management. She started as a model and then became an actress everybody adored. We all know her as Kim Bok Joo in the all-time fave, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. Now Sung Kyung is leading the latest theater run of Aladdin. Her role? None other than Jasmine!
(Random fact: She joined YG with her ex-boyfriend and another famous K-actor, Nam Joo Hyuk. He's currently represented by Management SOOP.)
6. Jang Ki Yong
Atypical Family star Jang Ki Yong joined YG Entertainment in 2014 when KPlus merged with YG. Ki Yong is now one of the beloved leading men of his generation.
7. Gal So Won
Remember the girl in Miracle in Cell No. 7? She's all grown up now, and yes, she was a YG Entertainment actress until recently. So Won joined the company after the success of her breakout role, making YG her first agency. Since then, she has been cast in some K-dramas as the younger counterparts of the leads. She also made a cameo in the latest song released by SEVENTEEN's sub-unit, BSS.
8. Park So Yi
Park So Yi, another child actress, has been part of YG Entertainment since 2021. So Yi recently starred in Atypical Family along with Jang Ki Yong. But the child star had already started garnering attention for her stellar acting even before the show. Soompi reported that So Yi won against 300 auditionees for the 2020 film, Pawn. It was a heartwarming comedy film that revolved around the story of two loan sharks who were given a little girl as collateral.
These are only some of the actors under YG Entertainment. For the most part, their career catapulted during their time with YG. Other actors still represented by YG are Claudia Kim, Lee Soo Hyuk, Son Na Eun, and more. As of writing, there is no news yet as to which agencies will handle these actors.
