YG Entertainment Shifts Focus to Music, Discontinues Actor Management Division

In a bold move signaling a shift towards its core business, YG Entertainment has announced the discontinuation of its actor management division on January 17, 2025.

The renowned agency, home to iconic K-pop acts like BLACKPINK, TREASURE, and the recently debuted BABYMONSTER, will now concentrate its resources on strengthening its music operations. This strategic decision follows a series of restructuring efforts that have been gradually reshaping the company’s approach to its various sectors.

The agency, which has previously managed a wide array of actors including Kim Hee Ae, Cha Seung Won, Jang Hyun Sung, Yoo In Na, and Lee Sung Kyung, confirmed that it will not renew contracts with any of its current actors.

In an official statement, YG expressed deep gratitude for the relationships it has built over the years. “We sincerely thank all the actors who have worked with us and the fans who have supported them over the years,” the company said. “We will continue to offer full support to our artists until the end of their contracts.”

This announcement marks the conclusion of YG Entertainment’s decade-long foray into actor management, a period during which it saw notable successes in both the film and television industries. However, with the global music landscape continuously evolving, YG has opted to refocus on its musical endeavors, hoping to solidify its status as a leader in the global music market. The agency clarified that, while its actor roster will continue to be promoted until the expiration of their contracts, no new talent will be signed under this division moving forward.

This transition reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening its music operations. Over the past year, YG has made several significant moves to streamline its structure, including the absorption of its subsidiary YGX and the internalization of its expertise. YG’s internal production staff was expanded from 10 to 50, a clear sign of the agency’s dedication to bolstering its music production and artist development systems. This strategic restructuring has already borne fruit, with the rapid rise of BABYMONSTER, YG’s newest girl group.

Since their debut in April 2024, BABYMONSTER has quickly made waves in the industry, selling nearly 1.6 million units and embarking on their first world tour just months after their debut. As 2025 approaches, the group is set to kick off their next major phase with a highly anticipated concert in Seoul, followed by a global tour. Their impressive debut reflects YG’s growing emphasis on artist development and international expansion.

The coming year holds even greater promise for YG’s music operations. TREASURE, one of the agency’s biggest acts, is preparing for a packed year, including the release of a new mini-album and the commencement of their TREASURE 2025 FIRST US TOUR [SPECIAL MOMENT], which will take the group to major U.S. cities such as New York, Washington D.C., Oakland, and Los Angeles. Following the U.S. tour, TREASURE will embark on a full world tour.

BLACKPINK, YG’s most successful act to date, is also slated to return in 2025. With their ever-growing global influence, YG is preparing for a comeback that promises to be monumental. The agency has already put in place a dedicated internal team to manage BLACKPINK’s next phase of activity, ensuring their dominance in the global music scene remains intact. Additionally, YG is revisiting the legacy of its former girl group 2NE1, planning a series of activities to celebrate the group’s 15th anniversary and their ongoing successful tour.

This shift in focus reflects YG Entertainment’s broader strategy to fortify its position in the highly competitive global music industry. “We’ve been diligently reorganizing our business structure to focus on our core competencies,” YG stated. “2025 will be a year where those efforts truly bear fruit. We are committed to solidifying our leadership in the music industry and continuing our growth story.”

YG Entertainment’s decision to scale back its actor management division is also aligned with its wider restructuring efforts that began in 2023. The company sold its stake in Studio Plex, a film and drama production company, and dissolved its dance management and academy label, YGX, transferring the functions of YGX to YG’s in-house Global Training Center. These changes signal a significant pivot back to the agency’s roots in music, with a renewed emphasis on maximizing the potential of both its current artists and new talent.

The decision comes as part of a long-term vision for YG, one that aims to ensure the sustainability of its existing intellectual properties while continuing to discover and develop new ones. This focus on the music sector promises to bring a new chapter of growth for the company as it looks to strengthen its leadership on the global stage.

With the discontinuation of its actor management operations, YG Entertainment is set to enter a new era in its storied history, one where music reigns supreme. As the agency prepares for a pivotal year in 2025, it’s clear that YG is not just focusing on the present but positioning itself for a future filled with exciting musical ventures and groundbreaking achievements in the global market.

Written by Khushboo Malhotra