The Best And Worst K-Pop Agencies Rated By Their Own Employees
As if being an idol isn’t difficult enough, many of the staff who work with idols also suffer through tough work and get very little recognition in return. To make matters worse, not all companies are known to treat their employees well—though some are certainly better than others. According to company reviews from a reputable Korean job portal, here’s how well (or poorly) 12 of the top agencies in K-Pop treat their staff.
12. RBW
RBW (which is home to groups like MAMAMOO, Purple Kiss, and ONEUS) received an overall rating of 1.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at RBW right now is ₩29.1 million KRW (about $23,000 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at RBW, while company benefits and work-life balance are considered the worst parts of the job. In addition, 14% of staff approve of CEO Kim Jin Woo, and just 3% see growth potential in the company.
11. Pledis Entertainment
Pledis Entertainment (which is home to groups like SEVENTEEN and fromis_9) received an overall rating of 1.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Pledis Entertainment is ₩28.5 million KRW (about $22,500 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Pledis Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 22% of staff approve of CEO Han Sung Soo, and 10% see growth potential in the company.
10. Woollim Entertainment
Woollim Entertainment (which is home to groups like Golden Child, Rocket Punch, and DRIPPIN) received an overall rating of 1.7 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Woollim Entertainment is ₩31.2 million KRW (about $24,700 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, welfare and salary were rated the best part of working at Woollim Entertainment, while work-life balance and the upper management are considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 20% of staff approve of CEO Lee Jung Yeop, and 8% see growth potential in the company.
9. Cube Entertainment
Entertainment (which is home to groups like (G)I-DLE, PENTAGON, and CLC) received an overall rating of 1.8 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Cube Entertainment is ₩31.4 million KRW (about $24,900 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Cube Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 13% of staff approve of CEO Shin Jung Hwan, and 8% see growth potential in the company.
8. FNC Entertainment
FNC Entertainment (which is home to groups like Cherry Bullet, SF9, and P1Harmony) received an overall rating of 2.0 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at FNC Entertainment is ₩33.2 million KRW (about $26,300 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at FNC Entertainment, while work-life balance and upper management are considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 19% of staff approve of CEOs Ahn Seok Joon and Han Seung Hoon but just 3% see growth potential in the company.
7. Fantagio
Fantagio (which is home to ASTRO and Weki Meki) received an overall rating of 2.0 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Fantagio is ₩32.6 million KRW (about $25,800 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, company culture and promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Fantagio, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 13% of staff approve of CEO Shin Young Jin, and 4% see growth potential in the company.
6. Yuehua Entertainment
Yuehua Entertainment (which is home to groups like EVERGLOW and Tempest as well as Choi Yena) received an overall rating of 2.1 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Yuehua Entertainment is ₩33.6 million KRW (about $26,600 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Yuehua Entertainment, while upper management is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 21% of staff approve of CEO Du Hua and 35% do see growth potential in the company.
5. YG Entertainment
YG Entertainment (which is home to groups like BLACKPINK and TREASURE) received an overall rating of 2.4 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at YG Entertainment is ₩39.5 million KRW (about $31,300 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at YG Entertainment, while management is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 25% of staff approve of CEO Hwang Bo Kyung, and 19% see growth potential in the company.
4. Starship Entertainment
Starship Entertainment (which is home to groups like MONSTA X and CRAVITY) received an overall rating of 2.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Starship Entertainment is ₩37.2 million KRW (about $29,400 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Starship Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 41% of staff approve of CEOs Lee Hoon Hee and Lee Jin Sung, and 26% see growth potential in the company.
3. SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment (which is home to groups like Red Velvet, NCT, and aespa) received an overall rating of 2.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at SM Entertainment is ₩45.8 million KRW (about $36,300 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, company culture was rated the best part of working at SM Entertainment, while salary and work-life balance are considered the worst parts of the job. In addition, 40% of staff approve of CEO Lee Sung Soo, and 17% see growth potential in the company.
2. JYP Entertainment
JYP Entertainment (which is home to groups like ITZY, Stray Kids, and TWICE) received an overall rating of 2.6 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at JYP Entertainment is ₩49.1 million KRW (about $38,900 USD)
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at JYP Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 54% of staff approve of CEO Jung Wook, and 15% see growth potential in the company.
1. HYBE
HYBE (which is home to BTS and TXT) received an overall rating of 2.7 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at HYBE is ₩52.1 million KRW (about $41,200 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, welfare and salary were rated the best part of working at HYBE, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 53% of staff approve of CEO Park Ji Won, and 36% see growth potential in the company.