IST Entertainment

IST Entertainment
Native name
아이에스티엔터테인먼트
FormerlyA Cube Entertainment (2011–2015)
Plan A Entertainment (2015–2019)
Play M Entertainment (2019–2021)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryMusic
Founded2011 (2011)
FounderChoi Jin-ho
Headquarters
South Korea
Key peopleJang Hyun-jin (CEO)
Yoon Young-ro (CEO)
Parent
SubsidiariesE&T Story Entertainment (2018–2021)
Websiteistent.co.kr

IST Entertainment (Korean: 아이에스티엔터테인먼트) is a South Korean entertainment company under Content Technologies.

History

Plan A Entertainment

In 2011, A Cube Entertainment was established as an independent label of Cube Entertainment. A Cube signed its first solo artist Huh Gak and launched girl group Apink, which was made up from former Cube Entertainment trainees.

In November 2015, LOEN Entertainment (later Kakao M and then Kakao Entertainment) acquired 70% of the entire label and subsequently absorbed it as an independent subsidiary. The label announced in March 2016 that it has been renamed Plan A Entertainment since it was no longer affiliated with Cube Entertainment. It launched its first boy group Victon in November that year.

In early 2018, Plan A Entertainment acquired Kakao M's actor agency E&T Story Entertainment, owning 60% of the agency's shares. In the following months, Choi Jin-ho (founder and co-CEO) resigned and 30% of the remaining shares were sold for 3.51 billion won. As a result, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kakao M.

Fave Entertainment

Fave Entertainment was originally founded in 2012 as LOEN Tree, to manage LOEN Entertainment's recording artists. It was spun-off as a separate subsidiary label in 2016 and renamed Fave Entertainment. Artists who were transferred to Fave Entertainment included Fiestar, History, IU and Sunny Hill. Its trainees have notably featured in MIXNINE, Under Nineteen, and Produce 101. In October 2018, the label announced its upcoming girl group, temporarily known as "Fave Girls".

Cre.ker Entertainment

Cre.ker Entertainment is a record label founded by Kakao Entertainment (formerly LOEN Entertainment) in 2014, the label is home to artist groups Melody Day and The Boyz.

Merged agency named to IST Entertainment

On February 13, 2019, Kakao Entertainment released a statement that Plan A Entertainment and Fave Entertainment would be merging on April 1. Plan A Entertainment, being the surviving entity in the merger, was renamed Play M Entertainment and absorbed Fave Entertainment's assets and remaining artists, including trainees.

In May 2020, it was announced that "Fave Girls", who became "Play M Girls" following the merger, would be debuting in June as Weeekly. It is the company's first girl group since Apink.

On September 17, 2021, Kakao Entertainment announced that Play M Entertainment and Cre.ker Entertainment would be merging in the future.

On November 12, 2021, it was announced that the company's new corporate name would be IST Entertainment, which took in effect on November 1.

On February 7, 2022, IST Entertainment announced the debut of a new boy group in the second half of the year through a reality competition show, The Origin – A, B, Or What?. The show premiered on March 19, 2022. On the finale episode aired on May 7, 2022, it was announced that the final 7 will debut as ATBO, and will debut in July 27.

On April 11, 2022, IST Entertainment and Universal Music Japan announced the foundation of their joint venture label, "Universal Music IST".

Full acquisition by Beyond Music

In February 2025, Kakao Entertainment agreed to sell its 100% stake in IST Entertainment to music intellectual-property investment company Beyond Music. IST Entertainment was established in 2021 through the merger of Kakao Entertainment's Play M Entertainment and Cre.ker Entertainment, and had represented artists including Apink, The Boyz, Weekly and ATBO. Beyond Music planned to retain IST's music intellectual property while partnering with Contents Technologies for artist development and management. The transaction formed part of Kakao Entertainment's broader efforts to restructure and consolidate its subsidiary businesses.

Following the sale of IST Entertainment to Beyond Music in February 2025, all six members of Weeekly terminated their exclusive contracts with the agency by mutual agreement. IST Entertainment did not announce whether Weeekly would disband or continue under a new agency.

In September 2025, music intellectual-property company Content Technologies began seeking approximately ₩80 billion in new investment at a proposed valuation of ₩300 billion. The funding was intended to support expansion of its music IP portfolio and overseas operations. Existing investors including KB Investment and SV Investment were reported to be considering follow-on investments, alongside potential new domestic and international investors.

In January 2026, IST Entertainment was reported to be preparing to debut Tunexx, a seven-member boy group scheduled to launch in March. The group includes Park Dong-gyu, who gained recognition through Boys II Planet. Tunexx was described as the first new group launched by IST Entertainment under its new management following the company's restructuring.

Artists

Groups

Notable trainees

Former artists

IST Entertainment

Former label

Discography

Projects

Title Year Artists Peak Chart Positions Sales
(Download)		 Albums
Love Day 2012 Jung Eun-ji, Yang Yo-seob 8
  • KOR: 1,604,167+
 A Cube For Season #Green
A Year Ago 2013 Jung Eun-ji, Kim Nam-joo, Jang Hyun-seung 13
  • KOR: 300,616+
 A Cube For Season #White
Short Hair Jung Eun-ji, Huh Gak 1
  • KOR: 1,207,766+
 A Cube For Season #Blue
Break Up To Make Up 2014 Jung Eun-ji, Huh Gak 1
  • KOR: 803,627+
 A Cube For Season #Sky Blue
Photograph 2015 Kim Nam-joo, Yook Sung-jae 29
  • KOR: 115,083+
 A Cube For Season #Blue Season 2
Bada 'Ocean.wav' 2016 Jung Eun-ji, Huh Gak 5
  • KOR: 407,547+
 Plan A First Episode
#Begin Again Huh Gak, Plan A Boys —
  • KOR: 17,447+
 Plan A Second Episode
Oasis 2017 Apink, Huh Gak, Victon 100
  • KOR: 22,488+
 Plan A Third Episode

Notes

  1. ↑ Transferred to Bluedot entertainment and debuted as member of Just B
  2. ↑ Returned to Kakao M and then transferred to EDAM Entertainment in 2020.

References

  1. ↑ 허각, 에이큐브에 새둥지 틀고 앨범 작업 시작. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). March 2, 2011. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  2. ↑ 에이핑크 소속사 에이큐브, '플랜에이(Plan A)'로 상호 변경. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). March 2, 2016. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  3. ↑ 카카오엠, 자회사 이앤티스토리 합병 절차 밟을까. thebell.co.kr (in Korean). January 11, 2021. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  4. ↑ 로엔, 인디 레이블 '문화인' 설립...우효 등 계약. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). June 1, 2016. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  5. ↑ 분기보고서 2016 [Quarterly Report 2016] (PDF) (Report) (in Korean) (22 ed.). Kakao Corporation. November 11, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  6. ↑ 로엔, 다음달 6인조 걸그룹 피에스타 선보여. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). July 19, 2017. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  7. ↑ 로엔엔터테인먼트, 사상 첫 '공개 오디션' 진행...23일부터 서울·부산·광주. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). July 19, 2016. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  8. ↑ 페이브 걸즈 7명 비주얼 완전체 공개..."내년 초 데뷔 목표". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). October 29, 2018. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Plan A Entertainment And FAVE Entertainment Merge Under Kakao M". February 13, 2019. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  10. ↑ 카카오M 측 "플랜에이·페이브 엔터, 4월 합병"...통합 신설법인 출범. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). February 13, 2019. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  11. ↑ [공식입장] 플랜에이·페이브 합병...'플레이 M' 이름으로 새 출발. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019 – via Naver.
  12. ↑ 사업보고서 2019 [Business Report 2019] (PDF) (Report) (25 ed.). Kakao Corporation. March 30, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ '6월 데뷔' 플레이엠 新걸그룹, 팀명 '위클리' 확정..멤버 평균연령 만 17세 [공식]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). May 12, 2020. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  14. ↑ '에이핑크 동생' 위클리, 일주일 꽉 채울 다채로움이 온다 [종합]. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). June 30, 2020. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  15. ↑ Kwak, Hyeon-su (September 17, 2021). 플레이엠·크래커 엔터 통합...에이핑크·더보이즈 한 식구 된다 [PlayM and Creker Enter integration... Apink and The Boyz become one family]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  16. ↑ Kim, Ye-ji (November 12, 2021). 에이핑크 '플레이엠'·더보이즈 '크래커', IST로 통합 [Apink's 'PlayM' and The Boyz's 'Creker' merged into IST] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021 – via Naver.
  17. ↑ Kim, No-eul (February 7, 2022). 에이핑크·더보이즈 소속사, 올 상반기 새 보이그룹 론칭 [공식입장] [Apink and The Boyz agency launch a new boy group in the first half of this year [Official position]] (in Korean). Xports News [ko]. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022 – via Naver.
  18. ↑ Jeong Bit (May 9, 2022). [공식]IST엔터, 新보이그룹 ABO 론칭...'디 오리진'으로 뽑힌 7人, 하반기 데뷔 [[Official] IST Entertainment launches new boy group ABO... 7 people selected as 'The Origin' to debut in the second half of the year]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Naver.
  19. ↑ "The Boyz Japan Official Website" 5/27(金)JAPAN New Mini Album『SHE'S THE BOSS』リリース決定！. The Boyz Japan Official (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  20. ↑ [단독] 비욘드뮤직, '카카오엔터 자회사' IST엔터 인수. 한국경제 (in Korean). February 5, 2025. Archived from the original on February 6, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Girl group Weeekly leaves agency IST Entertainment". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  22. ↑ "'음원 IP 컴퍼니빌더' 콘텐츠테크놀로지스, 800억 투자유치 추진". m.thebell.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  23. ↑ "[단독]IST엔터, 3월 새 보이그룹 TUNEXX 론칭...'보플2' 박동규 합류". Herald Muse (in Korean). Retrieved January 15, 2026 – via Naver.
  24. ↑ @PlayM_Official. [#휴닝바히에] 10월 22일 오전 10시까지 #유니버스 어플에 접속하여 휴닝바히에에게 투표해 주세요🗳 많은 응원 부탁드립니다☺ [[#HUENING_BAHIYYIH] Vote for "Huening Bahiyyih" on the (hashtag) UNIVERSE app until 10 PM (KST) of October 22🗳 Thank you for your support☺]. Twitter (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  25. ↑ Kim, Hyun-sik (October 22, 2021). 김채현 1위...'걸스플래닛' 9인조 걸그룹 '케플러' 결성. Edaily [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021 – via Naver.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Lee, Tae-soo (April 28, 2023). 에이핑크, 정은지만 남고 소속사 IST 떠난다..."팀 활동 유지" [Apink, Jung Eun-ji will leave the agency IST... "Keeping the Team Active"]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  27. ↑ Choo, Seung-hyun (October 11, 2022). 음주운전' 빅톤 허찬, 결국 팀 탈퇴..."6인 체제 재정비" [전문]. The Seoul Economic Daily [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  28. 1 2 3 Kim, So-yeon (April 20, 2023). 빅톤 최병찬·도한세·정수빈, IST엔터 떠난다 [Choi Byungchan, Do Hanse, and Jung Soobin of Victon leave IST Entertainment]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023 – via Naver.
  29. ↑ 한선화 동생 한승우, IST엔터 떠난다 "빛나는 미래 응원"[공식]". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  30. ↑ 밴디지(Bandage) 향후 활동 관련하여 팬 여러분께 안내 드립니다.밴디지(Bandage) 향후 활동 관련하여 팬 여러분께 안내 드립니다. star.mbn.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  31. ↑ 임형빈 탈퇴→밴드 밴디지 3인 체제로 재정비(전문)[공식]. star.mbn.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  32. ↑ Yoon, So-yeon (November 15, 2024). "The Boyz members to sign with One Hundred Label after current contracts end". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  33. ↑ Lee, Min-ji. 위클리 신지윤, 건강 문제로 탈퇴...6인조로 재편 [공식입장 전문]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved June 1, 2022 – via Naver.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jung, Ji-won (February 26, 2025). [단독] 위클리, IST와 전원 계약종료..비욘드뮤직行 없다. JoyNews24 (in Korean). Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  35. ↑ 허각, 플레이엠과 전속계약 종료.."새 출발 응원하겠다"[공식]. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  36. ↑ Seoyeon, Ban (January 15, 2021). 김소현, 이앤티스토리와 전속계약 만료 "앞날 응원"(공식) [Kim So-Hyun and E&T Story and Exclusive Contract Expiration "Support for the Future" (Official)]. YTN Star. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  37. ↑ "새로운 출발" 피에스타, 6년만에 해체..차오루 외 4人 각자의 길로 [종합]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019 – via Naver.
  38. ↑ 피에스타 차오루 제외 4人, 페이브와 전속계약 만료 [공식입장]. TVDaily. May 15, 2018. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  39. ↑ [공식입장] 페이브 측 "차오루, 5월말 계약만료...재계약 안한다". Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019 – via Naver News.
  40. ↑ "히스토리, 공식 해체 "멤버 계약 유지... 개별 활동"". Ten Asia (in Korean). May 12, 2017. Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  41. ↑ Digital sales for Love Day:
  42. ↑ Digital sales for A Year Ago:
  43. ↑ Digital sales for Short Hair:
  44. ↑ Digital sales for Break Up to Make Up:
  45. ↑ Digital sales for Photograph:
  46. ↑ Digital sales for Ocean:
  47. ↑ Digital sales for #Begin Again:
  48. ↑ Digital sales for Oasis: