Wakeone, which oversees CJ ENM's K-pop artist business, announced on November 3 that it has newly appointed So-young Nam as Managing Director.
Nam is recognized as a leading industry expert who has spearheaded both domestic and international artist management as well as overseas market expansion. Beginning with the establishment of SM JAPAN, she has served as an executive and CEO at major affiliates of SM Entertainment and is credited with successfully launching numerous artists onto the global stage.
With a background as a manager and extensive on-site experience, Nam is regarded as a first-generation female leader who has been active since the early days of the K-pop industry. She has broad expertise across key areas of entertainment, including global strategy and content production.
Coinciding with Nam's appointment, Wakeone will reorganize its existing system into a two-center structure tailored to each artist's individuality and growth trajectory. The first center will be dedicated to supporting the domestic and international activities of boy group Zerobaseone and izna. The second center will focus on the debut and development of the new boy group ALD1, formed through Mnet's "Boys 2 Planet."
Additionally, Wakeone plans to establish a dedicated label for solo artists such as Kim Feel, Ha Hyunsang, Jo Yuri, and Kim Jaehwan, while also strengthening efforts to discover and nurture new talent.
Having grown rapidly on the foundation of a global fandom, Wakeone aims to further advance its artist-customized production system and accelerate the creation of a sustainable music ecosystem through this leadership change.
Wakeone stated, "Under Nam's leadership, we will create an environment that maximizes each artist's originality and potential," adding, "With sophisticated strategies, we will further enhance our global competitiveness."
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