Beginner in Game Development, Which Engine Should I Use? Comparison of Unity vs Unreal vs Godot (Focusing on Free Engines) Choosing a Game Engine: Know This First: 5 Key Q&A Q1. What is a Game Engine? Is it necessary to use one? A. Think of a game engine as a set of development tools that bundles essential functions required for making games, similar to a car engine. It includes features like rendering graphics on-screen ( Rendering ), physics effects for characters colliding with walls or jumping ( Physics Engine ), and playing background music or sound effects ( Audio System ). While it's possible to create a game from scratch without an engine, it requires an immense amount of time and effort, which is why most developers today use game engines, especially beginners! Q2. I want to start game development; are there any good free engines available? A. Yes,...
How Did the Big Three K-Pop Agencies SM, YG, and JYP Build Their Empires?
The Untold Story of the Birth of K-pop's Big Three: How SM, YG, and JYP Built Their Empires
Know the Big Three of K-pop: 5 Key Q&A
Q1. What are the 'Big Three'? Why are they also called 'Big Four'?
Traditionally, the 'Big Three' of K-pop refers to SM, YG, and JYP. However, in recent years, HYBE, which produced BTS, has grown tremendously, leading to the use of the term 'Big Four' as well.
Q2. When and by whom were these companies established?
All three companies were founded in the mid-1990s by prominent figures of the time. SM Entertainment was established in 1995 by producer Lee Soo-man, YG Entertainment in 1996 by Yang Hyun-suk, a member of Seo Taiji and Boys, and JYP Entertainment in 1997 by singer-songwriter Park Jin-young.
Q3. Which company has undergone the most significant changes recently?
That would be SM. They announced a new multi-producing strategy called 'SM 3.0' and, after a fierce acquisition battle, Kakao became the largest shareholder by securing about 40% of the shares.
Q4. What is the status of BLACKPINK's contract, YG's flagship group?
In 2023, they confirmed their re-contract for 'group activities', protecting YG's most important IP (intellectual property). In 2025, new album and world tour plans were also announced.
Q5. What are JYP's unique strengths?
JYP's greatest strength lies in its systematic A&R (Artist and Repertoire) system centered around founder Park Jin-young, and its 'localization' strategy that directly scouts and debuts talent overseas. The 'Nizi Project' in Japan and the North American girl group 'VCHA' are prime examples of this success.
When discussing the vast empire of K-pop, we cannot overlook three pioneers: the architect of the idol system, the spreader of hip-hop swag, and the magician of emotional melodies. SM, YG, and JYP have transcended being mere companies; they have created kingdoms that have defined K-pop standards and written history in their unique philosophies and methods. However, the once seemingly eternal triad is rapidly being reshaped in the face of new competitors and massive capital flows. Today, we will explore the birth and turning points of these three kingdoms that built the K-pop empire, as well as their current state.
Before the Stage Opens — The Three Starting Lines that Set Industry Standards
In the mid-1990s, the three companies that laid the foundation for K-pop started with different characteristics.
SM: They were the first to establish a systematic 'idol system' that connected trainee discovery, training, producing, and management through groups like H.O.T. and S.E.S. They later showcased unique strengths in designing massive fandoms and worldviews through groups like TVXQ, Girls' Generation, and EXO.
YG: Founded by producer Yang Hyun-suk, who came from Seo Taiji and Boys, YG started with the hip-hop DNA of Jinusean and 1TYM. They created a distinct difference from other idols by fostering an 'in-house production' culture where their producers handle everything from music to styling and performance.
JYP: This company is heavily influenced by star composer and producer Park Jin-young. They showcased popular yet trendy music through acts like g.o.d, Rain, and Wonder Girls, and looked towards the global market early by scouting talent through overseas auditions.
Turning Points that Shook the Scene — Changes in Systems, Governance, and IP
Entering the 2020s, the once solid triad faced a period of significant change.
SM 3.0 and Governance Restructuring: In 2023, SM declared the era of 'SM 3.0', moving away from the sole production system of Lee Soo-man to establish multiple independent production centers and labels. This process led to a management dispute, ultimately resulting in Kakao becoming the largest shareholder through a public buyout, bringing SM into a new phase.
Maintaining YG's Flagship: YG's biggest challenge was the re-contracting of BLACKPINK, an icon of K-pop. In 2023, they successfully renewed contracts with all members for 'group activities', preserving the company's most crucial growth engine. A new album and world tour are anticipated in 2025, raising expectations for YG's resilience.
Episode: Thoughts of 20-Year K-pop Fan Park Soo-jin
Park Soo-jin, a working professional who has loved K-pop since the H.O.T. era, finds the recent changes both unfamiliar and intriguing. "In the past, SM music, YG music, JYP music had distinct colors. But now with HYBE's emergence and changes in SM's ownership, those boundaries seem to have blurred. It's become more important who produces better music and who communicates better with fans."
In-Depth Exploration: Why Has HYBE Become the 'Big Four'? - The Power of a Multi-Label Strategy
What was HYBE's successful strategy that redefined the traditional 'Big Three' into the 'Big Four'? It was the 'multi-label' system.
Previously, the three major companies relied on a single strong star producer—Lee Soo-man, Yang Hyun-suk, or Park Jin-young—whose vision determined the overall music and direction of the company. While this was advantageous for creating a consistent identity, it also posed the limitation of high dependency on the producer's individual capabilities.
In contrast, HYBE opted to acquire successful labels like Pledis (Seventeen), Source Music (LE SSERAFIM), and Ador (NewJeans) centered around Big Hit Music, which produced BTS. Each label is supported to independently create artists with their unique colors while HYBE provides overarching business strategies, global networks, and capital, acting as a 'holding company'. This approach has allowed HYBE to simultaneously succeed with vastly different artists, from BTS to NewJeans, while diversifying risks and broadening their portfolio. Now, other agencies, including SM, are also adopting this multi-label/production system in response to the changes brought by HYBE.
Episode: Analysis by Business Student Lee Hyun-woo
Lee Hyun-woo, a business student, focused on HYBE's strategy while analyzing the K-pop industry. "I was impressed by how they explosively grew the company's scale and diversity through M&A, surpassing merely nurturing artists. This approach is completely different from the traditional entertainment company's methods. I think it's a fascinating example of how the K-pop industry is evolving."
2025 Viewing Points (FAQ)
Q. What exactly is the 'SM 3.0' strategy?
It is a system that divides the production rights, previously concentrated in producer Lee Soo-man, into several 'production centers' that independently plan and produce artists. The goal is to showcase faster and more diverse artists.
Q. BLACKPINK members are said to be engaging in individual activities outside of YG. Is that okay?
Yes, the core of this re-contract is the agreement on 'group activities'. Each member can freely pursue their solo albums or activities with their established labels or other companies. This can be seen as a new type of contract that respects the autonomy of the artists while preserving the core brand of 'BLACKPINK'.
Q. Isn't JYP's 'localization' strategy also being pursued by other companies?
Yes, many companies are attempting localization strategies. However, JYP distinguishes itself by turning the entire audition process into a broadcast program, like the 'Nizi Project', to build fandoms in advance and directly transplanting JYP's systematic training system. It is closer to a model that exports JYP's production system rather than simply recruiting local members.
Author Information: The content of this article has been compiled from official announcements, IR materials, governance change disclosures from each company, and related articles from major domestic and international media such as Reuters and Korea Joongang Daily to objectively summarize the flow from the birth of SM, YG, and JYP to the present.
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