Pledis Entertainment

Pledis Entertainment (플레디스 엔터테인먼트) is a South Korean entertainment company founded by Han Sung-soo in 2007, headquartered at Yongsan Trade Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Its name derives from the Pleiades star cluster in the Taurus constellation, a nod to the label's ambition to reach for something greater. From its earliest days as a two-room agency without formal premises, Pledis grew into one of K-pop's most influential independent labels. Son Dam-bi was the label's first artist, debuting in 2007 to critical attention. Pledis expanded its roster in January 2009 with After School, and in 2010 launched Orange Caramel, the sub-unit that became one of K-pop's most beloved retro-concept groups. NU'EST debuted in March 2012, followed by a joint venture with Fantagio to debut Hello Venus in May 2012. In May 2015, Pledis debuted SEVENTEEN, the self-producing 13-member group that would become its defining act. SEVENTEEN's model of writing, composing, and choreographing their own material became a blueprint for artist-led idol production. Five consecutive appearances on the IFPI Global Album Sales Chart, record-breaking tours including RIGHT HERE and NEW_ World Tours, and a dedicated global fandom called CARAT established the group as one of K-pop's most commercially potent acts. In May 2020, HYBE (then Big Hit Entertainment) acquired a 90% stake in Pledis, integrating the label into the HYBE Labels umbrella while preserving its creative autonomy. Han Sung-soo retains a 5% stake, with Sony Music Solutions holding the remaining 5%. Pledis also maintains international divisions: Pledis Japan (since 2018) and XCSS Entertainment in China (since 2018). Under HYBE, the label launched TWS in January 2024, a six-member boy group that debuted with "Plot Twist." The current roster includes SEVENTEEN, TWS, Bumzu, and Hwang Min-hyun.