K-pop wields influence in local stock market

Girl band 2NE1

YG, third entertainment agency to be listed on KOSDAQ,
attracts 3.6 trillion won in IPO

The recent success of YG Entertainment and other listed Korean entertainment agencies in the stock market is an indicator of the growing influence of Korean pop music at home and abroad, analysts said Wednesday.

K-pop’s voice attracts 4 trillion won per year

American and European artists have long dominated the pop music scene worldwide. To cite a few examples, the iconic tunes of the Beatles of Britain and ABBA of Sweden flooded the soundtracks of the 1970s through the ‘80s. From the ‘80s to the ‘90s, American star Michael Jackson took over as the “King of Pop.”

Wonder Girls Goes for Variety

Wonder Girls certainly has its mind set on regaining its ‘wonder’ status, by appearing on a string of popular variety shows. The group went on a Guerilla Date on November 8 for the section on KBS2’s Entertainment Relay, and the group will also be shooting MBC’s Radio Star on November 9 and SBS’s Strong Heart on November 10.

Wonder Girls Brace for Clash with Other Girl Bands

Korean girl group Wonder Girls will return home from the U.S. this weekend to prepare for a much-awaited performance. The band recently wrapped up shooting the made-for-TV film “Wonder Girls at the Apollo,” which is slated to air next year.

Talent Agencies Becoming Tourist Spots for Foreign Fans

Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Die-hard fans are known to wait for hours in front of a star’s management agency or home just to catch a glimpse of their favorite singer or actor. In fact, many teenagers in Korea gather in front of management agencies all day long to see their idols.

Top Graduates Vie for Jobs in Entertainment Agencies

When management agency JYP Entertainment, whose stable includes manufactured bands 2PM, Wonder Girls and Miss A, interviewed for new staff last week, five of the six finalists were from Yonsei University and one from Korea University.