Kim Shi-dae (co-founder, executive producer) Seo Hyun-joo (co-founder, vice-president and executive producer)[1] Kim Young-suk (co-founder, executive director)[a] Lee Hoon-hee (CEO)[2] Lee Jin-sung (CEO)[b]
Starship Entertainment (Korean: 스타쉽 엔터테인먼트) is a South Korean entertainment company founded in 2008 and became an independentsubsidiary ofKakao Entertainment in 2013. It is called one of the "five major agencies" in the Korean music industry.[5][6]
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 aroad manager for K-popco-ed groupCool, as well as worked forBig Hit Entertainment between 2005 and 2007, while Seo Hyun-joo worked forJYP Entertainment.[8]
Starship's first artist was ex-Big Hit singerK.Will, who released his first single "Love 119" for the label in 2008.[9] In 2010, Starship debuted their first girl groupSistar, while their first boy groupBoyfriend the following year.[10][11]
In 2013, Starship launched its first subsidiary label "Starship X", with rapperMad Clown being its first signed artist.[12] On December 18, 70% of the label's shares were acquired by its distributorLOEN Entertainment (renamed to Kakao M in 2018 and predecessor ofKakao Entertainment), making it an independent subsidiary of the latter.[13] As of 2022, Kakao Entertainment is still the largest shareholder of the label, holding a 59.73% stake.[4]
In July 2014, Starship signed singerJeong Se-woon, following his appearance onK-pop Star 3.[14] In December, Starship formed its second boy groupMonsta X through theMnet's survival showNo.Mercy,[15] with the seven winners of the show, debuted in 2015, and promoted as a hip hop boy group.[16]
In April 2015, Starship signed a mutual management contract with the Chinese labelYuehua Entertainment.[17] In December, they jointly formed a new girl groupCosmic Girls, also known as WJSN, debuted in 2016, and aimed at appealing to both South Korean and Chinese audiences.[18] In May, Starship acquired all ofKing 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".[19]
In 2017, Starship launched another subsidiary labelHouse of Music, which focused was on recruiting smaller, independent artists, with MoonMoon being the first artist signed under the label.[12] In November 2018, Starship renamed the label "Highline Entertainment".[20][21] In June, its first girl group Sistar disbanded, with membersDasom andSoyou remaining under Starship.[22][23]
In May 2019, its first boy group Boyfriend disbanded.[24] 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.[25]
In June 2021, the label partnered withEshy Gazit's new label venture Intertwine, in partnership withBMG. Monsta X and Wonho were the first two artists involved in the partnership, securing both a global distribution deal and expansion.[30] On August 22, Starship is reported to form a new girl group, featuring then-traineesJang Won-young andAn Yu-jin, whom were formerly part ofIz*One, in the second half of 2021.[31] The girl groupIve debuted on December 1.[32][33]
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 ofSM C&C, and the Head of Production atKBS. He will lead Starship with the current CEO Lee Jin-sung (CEO of King Kong by Starship).[2] On August 8, Starship released a statement announcing that all members of Monsta X renewed their contracts, exceptI.M, but he will still continue to participate in the group's future plans.[34] On October 24, Yang Jae-woong's older brother Yang Jae-jin, a psychiatrist and broadcaster, has signed an exclusive contract with the agency.[35]
In January 2023, Starship planned to open itsDear U bubble service for all its artists, starting in February for three years.[36] On March 3, Starship released a statement announcing that WJSN Chinese members'Xuanyi,Cheng Xiao, andMeiqi had departed from the group following the expiration of their contracts. In the same announcement, it was also stated thatLuda andDawon chose not to renew their contracts, but did not specify whether they will remain in the group.[37]
In September 2024, Starship announced that Jeong Se-woon chose not to renew his contract after being with the label for ten years.[38]
In February 2025, Starship announced that it will launch a new girl groupKiiiKiii for the first time in four years since Ive in 2021.[39] 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.[40] 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.[41] The girl group KiiiKiii debuted on March 24.[42] On July 16, it was reported that Starship had acquired a second headquarter building, valued at ₩59 billion (approximately US$42.7 million).[43] The boy groupIdid debuted on September 15, formed through the survival showDebut's Plan.[44] On October 28, Starship andPop Mart signed LOI for global IP joint venture.[45]
In July 2022, Starship and its artists participated in The Blue Tree Foundation's campaign to declare support for non-violence. It was established to prevent school and cyberbullying, and to heal the victims, is conducting a "national non-violence campaign" in which the citizens can participate to publicize the seriousness of violence and to spread a culture of non-violence.[46]
In February 2023, Starship donated ₩150 million to help in the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake through Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association.[47]
^The Korea Popular Music Awards was jointly established in 2018 by the Korea Singers Association, the Korea Entertainment Producer's Association, the Recording Industry Association of Korea, the Federation of Korean Music Performers, and theKorea Music Copyright Association.[62]
^abcAhn, Tae-hyun (April 18, 2022).스타쉽엔터테인먼트, 이훈희 신임 대표이사 선임 [Starship Entertainment appointed Hoon-hee Lee as new CEO].news1 (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. RetrievedApril 18, 2022 – viaNaver.
^abCheon, Yun-hye (November 26, 2024).돈다발 된 아이브...카카오엔터 완전 럭키비키잖아 [엔터코노미] [Ive with a wad of money... Kakao Entertainment is so lucky [Enterconomy]].MTN News (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. RetrievedNovember 26, 2024.
^abLee, Ji-hoon (November 14, 2022).카카오, 계열사 상장 작업 '올스톱'...엔터ㆍ스타쉽ㆍ세나테크까지 [Kakao, affiliate listing process 'all-stop'... Enter, Starship, and Senatech].Invest Chosun (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. RetrievedNovember 18, 2022.
^Park, Seul-ki (April 11, 2017).'언니는 살아있다' 다솜에 거는 기대.Ten Asia (in Korean).Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 5, 2020.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (December 18, 2017).씨스타 내려놓은 소유, 이토록 성공적인 솔로 신고식.Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 5, 2020.
^Park, Young-woong (May 17, 2019).보이프렌드, 데뷔 8년만에 해체...스타쉽 "진심으로 감사"(공식) [Boyfriend, disbanded after 8 years of debut... Starship "Sincere thanks" (Official)].YTN (in Korean).Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. RetrievedSeptember 5, 2020.
^Park, Anna (December 24, 2019).카카오 계열 스타쉽엔터테인먼트, 공연제작 쇼노트 지분 100% 인수 [Kakao affiliate Starship Entertainment acquires 100% stake in Shownote].Business Post (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. RetrievedJuly 2, 2022.
^Kim, Ga-young (April 10, 2020).몬스타엑스 출신 원호, 하이라인엔터테인먼트 전속계약 [Wonho, ex member of Monsta X signs contract with Highline Entertainment].Edaily [ko] (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. RetrievedApril 10, 2020 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Jin-ri (August 8, 2022).몬스타엑스, 스타쉽과 5인 재계약...아이엠, 계약 종료→팀 활동 계속[전문] [Monsta X renews contract with Starship... I.M, contract ends → Team activities continue [Full text]].SpoTV News (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. RetrievedAugust 8, 2022 – viaNaver.
^abKim, Hyeon-jeong (October 24, 2022).양재웅 형 양재진 정신과 전문의, 몬스타엑스와 한솥밥 [Yang Jae-woong's brother Yang Jae-jin, a psychiatrist, MONSTA X and Hansotbap].Xports News (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. RetrievedNovember 10, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Park, Sang-hoo (March 3, 2023).[단독]우주소녀, 루다·다원·중국 멤버 3인 제외 8명 재계약 [[Exclusive] WJSN, 8 contract renewals except for Luda, Dawon, and 3 Chinese members].JTBC (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. RetrievedMarch 3, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Hwang, Seong-jung (July 16, 2025).스타쉽, 아이브 덕에 제2사옥 샀다 [Starship acquires second headquarter building thanks to Ive].The Bell (in Korean). RetrievedJuly 21, 2025.
^Hyun, Jung-min (July 7, 2022).스타쉽, 푸른나무재단 비폭력 캠페인 동참...몬스타엑스·아이브 등 권익보호 [Starship joins the Blue Tree Foundation non-violence campaign... Protection of rights and interests such as Monsta X, Ive, etc.].Sports World (in Korean).Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. RetrievedJuly 7, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Song, Min-ju (February 15, 2023).튀르키예 강진'에 손모은 연예계...누적 기부금액만 38억 [종합] [The entertainment industry gathered their hands in 'Turkey-Syria'... Cumulative donation amount alone 3.8 billion [Comprehensive]].TV Report (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 15, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Hwang, Ji-young (November 10, 2021).[단독] DJ 소다, 하이라인엔터테인먼트와 전속계약 종료 [[Exclusive] DJ Soda ends exclusive contract with Highline Entertainment].Daily Sports (in Korean).Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. RetrievedNovember 10, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Seul-gi (December 14, 2023).서현주 프로듀서, '2023 AAA' 2년 연속 '베스트 프로듀서' 상 수상 [Producer Seo Hyun-joo wins the '2023 AAA', 'Best Producer' award for two consecutive years].Raon Newspaper (in Korean). RetrievedDecember 24, 2023.
^Kim, Na-yeon (December 27, 2024).스타쉽 서현주, 3년 연속 AAA 베스트 크리에이터상..아이브 컴백 예고 [Starship Seo Hyun-joo, AAA Best Creator Award for 3 consecutive years.. Ive comeback notice].Star News (in Korean). RetrievedDecember 28, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Moon, Yeon-bae (December 15, 2023).스타쉽 서현주 프로듀서, '대한민국 콘텐츠 대상' 문체부 장관상→베스트 프로듀서 2년 연속 수상 [Starship Producer Seo Hyun-joo receives the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation at the 'Korea Content Awards' → Best Producer for 2 consecutive years].Biz Entertainment (in Korean). RetrievedDecember 24, 2023.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (November 9, 2018)."공정성+신뢰성" 2018 한국대중음악시상식 12월 20일 개최 ["Fairness + Reliability" 2018 Korean Pop Music Awards ceremony to be held on December 20].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on July 10, 2019. RetrievedJanuary 3, 2021.
^Jang, Jin-ri (December 3, 2024).K팝 지형도 바꿨다…스타쉽 서현주 프로듀서, '2024 MMA' 베스트 프로듀서상 [K-pop landscape has also changed... Starship Producer Seo Hyun-joo, Best Producer Award for '2024 MMA'].SpoTV News (in Korean). RetrievedDecember 28, 2024 – viaNaver.
₩201.9 billion (US$176.49 million) (2023)[3]
