Although K-pop labels are quite popularly known by fans of the distinct artists hailing from the respective background, Korean entertainment agencies that majorly cater to actors slip out of the majority’s purview with more focus on the performing artists. However, many Hallyu content lovers would be shocked to see through it all and come to the realisation that many of their favourite Kdrama actors share the same abode of management, much like how K-pop enthusiasts have founded terms like “SM Family” or “HYBE Family” to refer to the grand gatherings of sundry group members or soloists united under the banner of these entertainment labels.
In this article, you will find a list of Kdrama actor companies that have been for long housing vessels of talent galore. When gathered together, they all hold a divine power unlike any other, leaving you stunned as to how they can all be stationed under the same roof and it still not be a big deal.
Korean Entertainment Agencies With Popular Kdrama Actors
Namoo Actors
Founded in 2004, this talent management company just celebrated its 20th anniversary on January 15, which resulted in the spectacular banquet of stars rejoicing at the brand’s accomplishments over the last two decades of its establishment. Among the many actors currently being managed by the label, mentioned ahead are some of the most prominent Kdrama actors of this age: Song Kang (My Demon), Kang Ki-young (Extraordinary Attorney Woo), Park Eun-bin (Extraordinary Attorney Woo), Koo Kyo-hwan, Seo Hyun (Song of the Bandits), Lee Jung-ha (Moving), Shin So-hyun (User Not Found), Yoo Jun-sang (The Uncanny Counter), Lee Na-eun (A-Teen), Lee Yoon-ji (My Demon), Lee Joon-gi (Flower of Evil), and others.
BH Entertainment
Oh the number of big award-winners this agency is housing is quite frankly insane, and how could it not have been especially when it was founded in 2006 by one of the best veteran Korean actors who just doesn’t know how to go out of style – Lee Byung-hun (Concrete Utopia). Moving forward with the main motto, “Happiness Together”, BH Ent. boasts of a lineup that once united in the same room, much like how they (most of them) came together for the Marie Claire Korea December issue with UNICEF, stands unbeatable.
The existing actor lineup of the agency includes the founder himself – Lee Byung-hun, Park Bo-young (Daily Dose of Sunshine), Han Hyo-joo (Moving), Lee Jin-wook (Sweet Home), Park Hae-soo (Squid Game), Park Ji-hu (All of Us Are Dead), Park Jin-young of GOT7 (The Devil Judge), Kim Go-eun (Little Women), Yoo Ji-tae (Vigilante), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory), Lee Ji-ah (Pandora: Beneath the Paradise), Joo Jong-hyuk (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) and others.
King Kong by Starship Entertainment
Once the realisation hits you that some of the most loved Kdrama actors of the century, like Lee Dong-wook share the same overarching management banner as some of the greatest K-pop music acts like MONSTA X, IVE and SISTAR, things will never be the same for you. Watching The Game Caterers X Starship episode series hits different and for good reason. Formerly recognised as King Kong Entertainment, the Korean actors agency was merged in 2017, after which it came to be acknowledged as King Kong by Starship.
Currently residing actors under this label are Lee Dong-wook (Tale of the Nine-Tailed), Kim Bum (Tale of the Nine-Tailed), Yoo Yeon-seok (A Bloody Lucky Day), Chae Hyung-won (CEO-dol Mart), Oh So-hyun (The Interest of Love), Song Ha-yoon (Marry My Husband), Lee Kwang-soo (Running Man), Cheon Young-min (Rookie Cops), Son Woo-Hyun (Nokdu Flower), Chae Soo-bin (The Fabulous), Go Ara (Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol) and others.
Management SOOP
It’s a daunting vision to see so many shining stars leading their respective brands of identity with signed contracts in association with this actors agency that was established in 2011 as a subsidiary of Kakao Entertainment. Talents residing under Management SOOP’s roof are some of the most highly esteemed artists, and the list includes, but isn’t limited to Nam Joo-hyuk (Vigilante), Gong Yoo (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), Bae Suzy (Doona), Jung Yu-mi (Train to Busan), Jeon Do-yeon (Crash Course in Romance), Choi Woo-shik (former), Kim Min-ju of IZ*ONE (The Forbidden Marriage), Nam Ji-hyun (High Cookie) and others.
Keyeast Entertainment
Kim Seo-hyung (SKY Castle), Mun Ka-young (True Beauty), Jo Bo-ah (Destined With You), Jung Sung-il (The Glory), Chae Jung-an, Park Ha-sun, Han Sun-hwa, Kang Hyun-oh, Ji Hye-won and former artists Hwang In-yeop and Woo Do-hwan among others huddled together under the entertainment company founded by actor Bae Yong-joon to make way for yet another daunting lineup we would recognise anywhere.
C-JeS Studios
Boasting its reputation as one of the leading Korean entertainment companies with popular actors such as Lee Jae-wook (Alchemy of Souls), Park Ye-young (Summer Strike), Ryu Jun-yeol (Reply 1988), Hong Seung-Hee, Ra Mi-ran (The Good Bad Mother), Park Sung-woong (The Killing Vote), Park Gyeong-hye, Park Byung-eun, Teo Yoo, Jin Ji-hee (Perfect Marriage Revenge), Sol Kyung-gu, C-JeS was established in 2009, and it continues to deliver hits owing to its grand roster of excellent talents.
GOLDMEDALIST
The private entertainment company isn’t too much of an old establishment as it came into being in 2019 due to the partnership between co-founders Lee Sarang and Kim Mi-hye. Now it houses some of the most widely recognised and sought after Kdrama actors like Kim Soo-hyun (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay), Choi Hyun-wook (Twinkling Watermelon), Seol In-ah (Twinkling Watermelon), Kim Si-eun (Love Alarm), Lee Chae-Min (Love All Play), Kim Su-gyeom (Weak Hero Class 1) and others.
Awesome Entertainment
Packing in an insanely bright and talented squad of actors, Awesome Ent. is home to the likes of Park Seo-joon (Itaewon Class), Han Ji-hye (Pots of Gold), Kim Yoo-jung (My Demon), Kim Kang-hoon (Racket Boys), Son Sang-yeon (Racket Boys), Moon Sang-min (Under the Queen’s Umbrella), Lee Hyun-woo (A Good Day to Be a Dog), Kim Do-wan (Doona!), Bae Hyun-sung (Miraculous Brothers), Hong Bi-ra (The Good Bad Mother), Yang Hye-ji (Nevertheless) and others. It was established in 2018 after the coming together of a crew sharing long-term management experience.
Which of these Korean actor agencies do you admire the most for bringing in a roster of unmatchable talented artists? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.