JYP Entertainment
JYP Entertainment: History, Artists, Members and Key Facts
JYP Entertainment is one of South Korea’s best-known entertainment companies. It was founded by singer-producer J.Y. Park and is home to TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, DAY6, and several newer groups. This guide covers the company’s history, its main groups and their members, and its major developments in 2026.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company name | JYP Entertainment Corporation |
| Founder | J.Y. Park (Park Jin-young) |
| Founded | April 25, 1997, as Tae-Hong Planning Corporation |
| Renamed JYP Entertainment | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Gangdong District, Seoul, South Korea (JYP Center) |
| Stock listing | Korea Exchange (ticker 035900) |
| CEO | Jeong Wook, since 2011 |
| Founder’s role | Chief creative officer and owner |
| 2025 revenue | ₩821.9 billion |
| First artist signed | Pearl (1997) |
| Main groups | 2PM, DAY6, TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, NMIXX |
What Is JYP Entertainment?
JYP Entertainment operates as a record label, talent agency, music producer, concert organiser and music publisher. It runs divisions and subsidiaries including ONE Label, STRIDE, Studio J, BLU:M and Init Entertainment, as well as international ventures in Japan, China and the United States. It also has a strategic partnership with Republic Records that covers TWICE, ITZY, Stray Kids, NMIXX and Xdinary Heroes.
History of JYP Entertainment
Origins
J.Y. Park rose to fame as a singer in the 1990s with songs such as “She Was Pretty.” He founded his company in 1997 as Tae-Hong Planning and renamed it JYP Entertainment in 2001, after his stage name.
First Generation Successes
The company launched well-known acts in the early 2000s, including g.o.d, Rain, and Wonder Girls. Later, it debuted 2AM and 2PM, and it formed GOT7, which left the agency in 2021.
The TWICE and Stray Kids Era
JYP created the survival show Sixteen, which formed TWICE, and TWICE debuted on October 20, 2015. DAY6, a band, debuted the same year. Stray Kids was formed through a 2017 survival show and debuted in 2018, followed by ITZY on February 12, 2019.
Expansion Abroad
JYP has launched groups for specific overseas markets, including NiziU (Japan, formed with Sony Music Japan), NEXZ (Japan), GIRLSET (United States), and BOY STORY and CIIU (China). Its recent domestic debuts include NMIXX (2022) and KickFlip (2025).
JYP Entertainment Artists and Members
2PM (2008)
- Members include: Jun. K, Nichkhun, Wooyoung, and Junho
- Notes: One of JYP’s first idol groups. Members also pursue solo music and acting.
DAY6 (2015)
- Members: Sungjin, Young K, Wonpil and Dowoon
- Notes: A four-member band. It marked its 10th anniversary with a world tour, and its fifth official fan meeting was scheduled for October 23 to 25, 2026.
TWICE (2015)
- Members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu
- Notes: The group includes the Japan-based unit MISAMO (Mina, Sana and Momo). See the section on 2026 changes below for recent updates on individual contracts.
Stray Kids (2018)
- Members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N
- Notes: The group largely produces its own music, led by the in-house team 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin and Han). As of May 2026, it has sold over 40 million albums. Its mini album THIS & THAT came out on August 7, 2026, alongside a new world tour called “RUN IT.”
ITZY (2019)
- Members: Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna
- Notes: Chaeryeong is scheduled to release a solo EP, Lovesick, on November 9, 2026.
Xdinary Heroes (2021)
A band whose name is short for “Extraordinary Heroes.”
NMIXX (2022)
- Members: Lily, Haewon, Sullyoon, Bae, Jiwoo, and Kyujin
- Notes: The group became a six-member act after Jinni left in December 2022.
NEXZ (2024) and KickFlip (2025)
Two seven-member boy groups. NEXZ is tied to JYP’s Japanese project with Sony Music. KickFlip debuted in January 2025.
Newest Groups
JYP has also introduced MODYSSEY and the girl group OURBIRTHDAY, which is managed by its subsidiary Init Entertainment. The company is also running a global boy group audition in 2026 called “The HEAT.”
Major Developments in 2026
TWICE Contract Changes
TWICE’s members signed new contracts in 2022, and a second renewal period began in 2026. By late October, three members had left JYP Entertainment individually while stating that they will continue as members of TWICE:
- Jeongyeon signed with Baro Entertainment.
- Chaeyoung announced her departure in August and is pursuing her own project.
- Jihyo announced her departure on October 21 and founded a new agency, EMITHAUS.
Media reports said Tzuyu would also not renew her individual contract, but JYP did not confirm it in the sources I found, so check for updates before publishing. The remaining members’ status was not reported.
Business Performance
JYP’s operating profit fell 41.4% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, according to Korean media. Analysts have linked the dip to the pause in some group activities. The company’s major tours, including Stray Kids’ and TWICE’s, remain central to its earnings.
Soloists
Many JYP artists release solo music alongside their group work. Some are also under sub-labels such as STRIDE, Studio J, ONE Label, and BLU:M.
Solo Artists from Groups
| Artist | Group | Notable solo release |
|---|---|---|
| J.Y. Park | Founder | Active as a singer-songwriter since the 1990s |
| Jun. K, Wooyoung, Junho | 2PM | Solo albums and projects alongside group work |
| Young K | DAY6 | Eternal (2021); second full-length album YOUNGEST (July 27, 2026) |
| Wonpil | DAY6 | Pilmography (2022); a new solo album announced in March 2026 |
| Dowoon | DAY6 | Debut single “Out of the Blue” (2021) |
| Sungjin | DAY6 | Solo debut in 2024 |
| Nayeon | TWICE | IM NAYEON (2022) and NA, both No. 7 on the Billboard 200 |
| Tzuyu | TWICE | abouTZU (2024) |
| Yeji | ITZY | Air (March 2025) |
| Yuna | ITZY | Ice Cream (March 23, 2026) |
| Chaeryeong | ITZY | Lovesick, scheduled for November 9, 2026 |
| YAOCHEN | Solo (China) | Managed through the Chinese venture Fanling Culture |
Jihyo of TWICE debuted as a soloist in 2023 with the album ZONE, which reached No. 14 on the Billboard 200. She left JYP on October 21, 2026 (see the Former Artists section below).
Actors and Actresses
JYP’s acting division has been jointly managed with NPIO Entertainment, and its roster changes often. Names recently listed in public databases include:
- Kim Dong-hee
- Shin Ye-eun
- Kang Hoon
- Lee Chan-sun
- Shin Eun-soo
- Yoon Park
Several idols also act. Yuna of ITZY made her acting debut in 2026, appearing in Undercover Miss Hong and the tvN drama My Bias, My Boss. Dahyun of TWICE has also been listed under the acting division.
Former JYP actors include: Choi Woo-shik, Min Hyo-rin, Park Joo-hyung, Ryu Won, Song Ha-yoon, Nam Sung-joon, Kim Ji-min, Lee Gi-hyuk and Kim Ye-won.
Trainees
How the Trainee System Works
JYP recruits through open auditions, global auditions, and scouting. It runs public auditions in several Korean cities, with its 20th public audition held in 2026. In March 2026, it also launched a worldwide boy group audition called “The HEAT.” Successful applicants train under the agency before any debut.
Pre-Debut and New Groups
- OURBIRTHDAY: A seven-member girl group from the subsidiary INNIT Entertainment, JYP’s first new girl group since NMIXX. Its three-member pre-debut single “HUNGRY (Side A)” came out on July 22, 2026, and an official debut was scheduled for August 19.
- MODYSSEY: A seven-member boy group formed through the survival shows Boys II Planet and Planet C: Home Race. It is run through a joint venture involving CJ ENM, JYP China, and NCC Entertainment, and Stray Kids’ production team 3RACHA worked on its debut single.
- Latin girl group: Reported in January 2026 to be preparing a debut, developed through the LatinAmerica2Korea project.
Notable Former Trainees
Several well-known artists trained at JYP before debuting elsewhere, including IU, Goo Hara, Hyorin, Yoon Doo-joon and Song Ji-eun.
Former Artists
Groups and Acts
| Act | Status |
|---|---|
| Rain | Left in 2007 and founded his own agency, J. Tune Entertainment |
| Wonder Girls | Became the first South Korean group on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009 with “Nobody.” Members left JYP by 2017 |
| 2AM | Jointly managed with Big Hit Entertainment. The joint contract ended in April 2014 |
| Miss A | Debuted in July 2010 and has since disbanded |
| JJ Project, 15& | Former duo and duo, respectively |
| GOT7 | Debuted January 2014 and left JYP as a full group in January 2021 |
| VCHA | Renamed GIRLSET, JYP’s US group with Republic Records |
Individual Artists
Pearl (JYP’s first artist), Sunmi, Baek A-yeon, Baek Yerin, Jo Kwon, San E, and Jay Park (formerly of 2PM) are among those who have since left. Taecyeon of 2PM is also no longer under JYP. Jinni left NMIXX and JYP in December 2022.
2026 Departures from TWICE
Three TWICE members have ended their individual contracts with JYP while saying they will remain in the group:
- Jeongyeon: Signed with Baro Entertainment.
- Chaeyoung: Announced her departure in August 2026.
- Jihyo: Announced her departure on October 21, 2026, and founded her own agency, EMITHAUS.
Why JYP Entertainment Matters
JYP is known for its survival shows and for giving artists room to take part in songwriting and production. Its groups also do well in international markets, and its partnerships in Japan, China, and the United States show a strategy of building local acts for each region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded JYP Entertainment?
J.Y. Park (Park Jin-young) founded it in 1997.
What does JYP stand for?
It comes from the founder’s initials, J.Y. Park.
Which groups are under JYP Entertainment?
They include 2PM, DAY6, TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, Xdinary Heroes, NMIXX, NEXZ, and KickFlip.
Who is the CEO of JYP?
Jeong Wook, since 2011.
Is TWICE still together?
Yes. Three members have left JYP individually, but they have said they will continue TWICE activities.
Is JYP a public company?
Yes. It is listed on the Korea Exchange.
