DSP Media () is a South Korean entertainment company established in 1991 by Lee Ho-yeon. The company operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management and concert production company, and music publishing house. In January 2022, the company was acquired by RBW. Current artists include:

KARD A kard () is the equivalent in the Persian language for knife. In the specialist jargon, Kard is considered a type of knife found in the Persianate society, Persianate societies like Iran, Persia, Turkey, Armenia and all the way to India. Mostl ...

Young Posse Young Posse (; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group under DSP Media and co-produced by Beats Entertainment, an independent record label. The group consists of members Sunhye, Yeonjung, Jiana, Doeun, and Jieun. They made their debut ...

, Baby Blue, Lee Jin-jae and Ahn Ye-eun as well as actors and actresses including: Kim Min, Lee Joong-ok, Lee Ji-hyun, Lee Hyung-hoon,

Oh Hye-won Oh Hye-won (; born March 13, 1986) is a South Korean actress and model. She is known for her roles in dramas such as '' Children of Nobody'' (2018–2019), '' Designated Survivor: 60 Days'' (2019) and '' Dinner Mate'' (2020). She also appeared ...

, Lee Seo-young, Chung Ye-jin, Yoon Jung-hoon, Kim Chae-won,

Ahn Seo-hyun Ahn Seo-hyun (; born January 12, 2004) is a South Korean actress. She began her career as a child actress in 2008, and has since appeared in films and television series such as '' The Housemaid'' (2010), '' Single-minded Dandelion'' (2014) and ...

, Seong Tae, Ju Hyun, Han Jei, Hwang Kyung-ha and Kang Dae-hyun.

History

1991–2009: Formation and early success

Daesung Enterprise was founded in September 1991 by Lee Ho Yeon to provide entertainment to the public. One of their first Korean music groups was

SoBangCha Sobangcha () is a South Korean three-member dance pop music group formed by Daesung Enterprise. The group is composed of Kim Tae-hyung, Jeong Won-gwan, and Lee Sang-won. Former member Dun-woo left the group in 1990. Sobangcha was one of the ear ...

(). The group was a hit and is still loved by the older Koreans. In the late 1990s, Daesung Enterprise saw significant success, and with the success of groups like

Sechs Kies Sechs Kies (pronounced as ; ) is a first generation South Korean boy band. Making their debut on April 15, 1997, they are one of the first K-pop idol groups, credited with pioneering the idol scene and fandom culture. The group consists of the ...

, formed in 1997, and Fin.K.L., formed in 1998, it was considered one of the top entertainment labels in South Korea, alongside

SM Entertainment SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. () is a South Korean multinational entertainment agency established in 1995 by Lee Soo-man. It is one of South Korea's largest entertainment companies and has been responsible for fostering and popularizing the car ...

Click-B Click-B () is a South Korean boy band formed in August 1999 under DSP Media. Click-B started out as a band combining rock and dance beats in their music. They became a four member group in 2002, with several member changes over the next few years ...

was formed in August 1999. In February 1999, the company was renamed DSP Entertainment. After merging with Hoshin Textile Company () in March 2006, DSP Entertainment was renamed DSP Enti. In 2002, Ha Hyun-gon, Yoo Ho-suk and No Min-hyuk of Click-B left DSP. In 2006, Fin.K.L members departed DSP Media. In September 2008, DSP Enti was renamed DSP Media.

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. Following Choi becoming president of DSP, several members of the girl group

Kara Kara or KARA may refer to: Geography Localities * Kara, Chad, a sub-prefecture * Kára, Hungary, a village * Kara, Uttar Pradesh, India, a township * Kara, Iran, a village in Lorestan Province * Kara, Republic of Dagestan, a rural locality in ...

filed a lawsuit to end their contract with DSP. In August 2015, DSP debuted girl group

April April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Its length is 30 days. April is commonly associated with the season of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the ...

, 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 A kard () is the equivalent in the Persian language for knife. In the specialist jargon, Kard is considered a type of knife found in the Persianate society, Persianate societies like Iran, Persia, Turkey, Armenia and all the way to India. Mostl ...

, 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. 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. DSP N later debuted as Mirae on March 17, 2021. 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 Mamamoo (; commonly stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group formed and managed by RBW (company), RBW. The group is composed of four members: Solar (singer), Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein, and Hwasa. Known for their strong live vocals, Harm ...

Oneus Oneus (, pronounced as "One Us") is a South Korean boy band formed by RBW. The group consists of five members: Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong and Xion. Originally a sextet, Ravn left in October 2022. The group released their debut extended pl ...

Vromance Vromance (, stylized in all caps), was a South Korean vocal group formed by RBW in 2016. The group debuted on July 12, 2016, with the extended play (EP) ''The Action'', and disbanded on September 20, 2024. History Pre-debut Prior to their debut ...

Onewe Onewe (; stylized in all caps; ) is a South Korean alternative rock band composed of five members: Yonghoon, Harin, Kanghyun, Dongmyeong and Giuk (formerly known as CyA). The members originally formed under the name M.A.S 0094 (Make a Sound 00 ...

and

Purple Kiss Purple Kiss (; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group formed by RBW in 2020. The group consists of six members: Na Go-eun, Dosie, Ireh, Yuki, Chaein and Swan. Originally a seven-member group, Park Ji-eun left the group on November 1 ...

. DSP Media will be merged into RBW as a subsidiary. 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. On May 13, 2023, Soloist Ahn Ye-eun signed with DSP. 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. 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

(2015). The name of the group,

, was revealed on July 12. The group first introduced at the RBW 2023 Summer Fes ~Over The Rainbow~ in Seoul on July 16 and eventually debuted on October 18. In August 2023, actor Kim Min signed with DSP Media.

Affiliated artists

Recording artists

Groups *

Gavy NJ ''Gavy NJ'' () is a South Korean R&B female trio debuted in 2005. The trio had undergone multiple lineup changes and currently hold audition to formed new formations. In 2006, their original label Goodberry Entertainment formed seven-members pr ...

Duos * Baby Blue Soloists * BM * Son Dong-pyo * Lee Jin-jae * Ahn Ye-eun * Kim Yuna * OYEON * H:CODE *Ravn

Producers & songwriters

* Min Myeong-gi (Lead Producer) * Lee Seok-joo * Lee Yul-i

Actors

* Lee Ji-hyun * Lee Joong-ok * Lee Hyung-hoon *

* Chung Ye-jin * Yoon Jung-hoon *

* Lee Seo-young * Ju Hyeon * Seong Tae * Hwang Kyung-ha * Han Jei * Kim Chae-won * Kim Min (2023–present)

Former artists

Recording artists *

(1987–1996) * (1992–1995) * (1994–1995) * MUE (1994–1999) * (1995–1997) * Mountain (1996–?) *

(1997–2000) *

Fin.K.L Fin.K.L () is a South Korean girl group formed by DSP Media in 1998 consisting of members Lee Hyori, Ock Joo-hyun, Lee Jin, and Sung Yu-ri. Fin.K.L was one of the most popular K-pop groups of the late 1990s and early 2000s, alongside rival ...

(1998–2002, 2005) **

Lee Hyori Lee Hyo-ri (; born May 10, 1979) is a South Korean singer. She debuted as a member of group Fin.K.L in 1998, which became one of the most popular girl groups in South Korea during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Aside from Fin.K.L, she has als ...

(1998–2006) **

Ock Joo-hyun Ock Joo-hyun (; sometimes spelled Ock Ju-hyun; born March 20, 1980) is a South Korean singer and musical theatre actress, known mostly for her role as the lead singer of the South Korean girl group Fin.K.L. After their unofficial breakup in 20 ...

(1998–2006) **

Lee Jin Lee Jin (; born March 21, 1980) is a South Korean singer and actress. She made her entertainment debut as a member of the K-pop girl group Fin.K.L, along with Lee Hyori, Ock Joo-hyun, and Sung Yu-ri. After Fin.K.L came to an unofficial end in 20 ...

(1998–2005) **

Sung Yu-ri Sung Yu-ri (; born March 3, 1981) is a South Korean actress and singer. She made her entertainment debut in 1998 as a member of the now-defunct K-pop group Fin.K.L. Sung turned to acting in 2002, starring in television dramas such as '' Thous ...

(1998–2005) * Leeds (1999–2000) *

(1999–2006) ** Oh Jong-hyuk (1999–2020) * (2004–2007) *

SS501 SS501 (currently promoting as Five O One) is a South Korean boy band consisting of five members: Kim Hyun-joong, Heo Young-saeng, Kim Kyu-jong, Park Jung-min (singer), Park Jung-min and Kim Hyung-jun. They debuted in 2005 with the Extended play, ...

(2005–2010) * Sunha (2007–2009) * (2008–2009) *

KARA Kara or KARA may refer to: Geography Localities * Kara, Chad, a sub-prefecture * Kára, Hungary, a village * Kara, Uttar Pradesh, India, a township * Kara, Iran, a village in Lorestan Province * Kara, Republic of Dagestan, a rural locality in ...

(2007–2016) ** Kim Sung-hee (2007–2008) **

Nicole Jung Nicole Yongju Jung (; born October 7, 1991), referred to as Nicole, is a South Korean-American singer. She is a member of South Korean girl group Kara (South Korean band), Kara. Her solo debut mini album, ''First Romance'', was released on Nove ...

(2007–2014) **

Kang Ji-young Kang Ji-young (; born January 18, 1994), also known mononymously as Jiyoung or under the stage name JY in Japan, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actress. At age 14, she rose to fame as a member of the South Korean girl group Kara (Sout ...

(2008–2014) **

Park Gyu-ri Park Gyu-ri (; born May 21, 1988), better known by the mononym Gyuri, is a South Korean singer, actress, and radio personality. She is a member of South Korean girl group Kara (South Korean band), Kara. Life and career 1988–2002: Early life ...

(2007–2016) **

Han Seung-yeon Han Seung-yeon (; born July 24, 1988), known mononymously as Seungyeon, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is best known as the vocalist of the South Korean girl group Kara, and for her role in '' Hello, My Twenties!''. Life and caree ...

(2007–2016) **

Goo Hara Goo Hara (; ; January 3, 1991 – November 24, 2019), also known mononymously as Hara, was a South Korean singer and actress. She was a member of the K-pop girl group Kara, and had also appeared in television dramas including '' City Hunter'' ...

(2008–2016) **

Heo Young-ji Heo Young-ji (; born August 30, 1994), better known mononymously as Youngji, is a South Korean singer, dancer, entertainer and television personality. She is best known as a member of girl group Kara. In 2023, Heo Young-ji made her official sol ...

(2014–2024) *

Rainbow A rainbow is an optical phenomenon caused by refraction, internal reflection and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a continuous spectrum of light appearing in the sky. The rainbow takes the form of a multicoloured circular ...

(2009–2016, 2019) *

Puretty Puretty () was a South Korean girl group formed by DSP Media. The group debuted in Japan in 2012 through the anime series '' Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future'', where fictionalized versions of the members appeared as the secondary cast, and their s ...

(2012–2014) **Yoo Hye-in (2012–2014) **Jeon Jae-eun (2012–2014) **Cho Shi-yoon * Ahn So-jin (2012–2015) * A-Jax (2012–2019) ** Sungmin (2012–2016) ** Jaehyung (2012–2016) ** Jihu (2012–2016) * Kasper (2016–2018) *

(2015–2022) ** Chaewon (2015–2022) **

Naeun Son Na-eun (; born February 10, 1994), known mononymously as Naeun, is a South Korean actress and singer. She gained popularity following her debut as a member of the South Korean girl group, Apink. Apart from her group's activities, Son has al ...

(2015–2022) ** Yena (2015–2022) ** Jinsol (2015–2022) ** Chaekyung (2012–2022) ** Rachel (2016–2023) * Mirae (2021–2024) ** Lien (2021–2024) ** Lee Jun-hyuk (2021–2024) ** Yoo Dou-hyun (2021–2024) ** Khael (2021–2024) ** Park Si-young (2021–2024) ** Jang Yu-bin (2021–2024) Actors * Park So-hyun *

Oh Hyun-kyung Oh Hyun-kyung (; born March 25, 1970), birth name Oh Sang-ji, is a South Korean actress and beauty pageant titleholder. Career Oh Sang-ji won the 1989 Miss Korea beauty pageant, and represented her country at the Miss Universe 1990 pageant. S ...

* Kim Hyu Soo (1997–?) * Jung Hye Won (2010–?) * Park Jong-chan (2013–?) *

Choi Bae-young Choi Bae-young (; born January 22, 1990) is a South Korean actress. Watching Korean dramas with her grandmother when she was a child, she grew interested in arts and entertainment, and dreamed of being an actress or a film director. When she wa ...

* Baek Seungdo * Song Chan-ik * Lee Hyun-joo (2015–2021) * Kang Dae-hyun (2022–2023)

Filmography

Emergency Act 19 ''Emergency Act 19'' () is a satire, satirical List of South Korean films of 2002, 2002 South Korean film about a government act that prohibits popular music, passed in response to a number of musicians being elected to government elsewhere in the ...

(Film, 2002) *Drama Three Leaf Clover (SBS, 2005) * My girl (SBS, 2005) *She (SBS, 2006) * Yeon Gae So Mun (SBS, 2006) * Surgeon Bong Dal-hee (SBS, 2007) *Bad couple (SBS, 2007) *

Heartbreak Library ''Heartbreak Library'' () is a 2008 South Korean romantic drama film starring Lee Dong-wook and Eugene. It is an adaptation of a short story of the same name written by Korean author Yoon Sung-hee. It tells the story of a librarian who is first ...

(Film, 2008) *Making the Star (MBC, 2012) *

Kara Project ''Kara Project'' is a 2014 South Korean reality television program starring the girl group Kara. It aired on MBC M from May 27 – 1 July 2014. The program centred around the search to find a new member of Kara, following the departure of its m ...

(MBC, 2014)

Notes

References

External links

*

*
DSP Media official homepage – Japan
* * {{Authority control DSP Media, Companies based in Seoul Electronic music record labels Film production companies of South Korea Labels distributed by Kakao M Music companies of South Korea K-pop record labels Publishing companies established in 1991 Record labels established in 1991 South Korean record labels Synth-pop record labels Talent agencies of South Korea Television production companies of South Korea South Korean companies established in 1991