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.
RBW (which is home to groups like MAMAMOO, Purple Kiss, and ONEWE, ONEUS) received an overall rating of 1.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at RBW right now is ₩34.7 million KRW (about $25,200 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, 16% of staff approve of CEOs Kim Jin Woo and Kim Do Hun, and just 3% see growth potential in the company.
Pledis Entertainment (which is home to groups like SEVENTEEN and fromis_9) received an overall rating of 1.6 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Pledis Entertainment is ₩58.6 million KRW (about $42,500 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, 21% of staff approve of CEO Kim Yeon Su, but only 6% of employees would recommend the company to others.
fromis_9 | Pledis Entertainment
Woollim Entertainment (which is home to DRIPPIN and Kwon Eunbi) received an overall rating of 1.7 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Woollim Entertainment is ₩34.6 million KRW (about $25,100 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, 17% of staff approve of CEO Lee Jung Yeop, and only 7% see growth potential in the company.
Entertainment (which is home to groups like I-DLE, PENTAGON, LIGHTSUM, and NOWZ) received an overall rating of 1.8 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Cube Entertainment is ₩41.0 million KRW (about $29,800 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, 16% of staff approve of CEOs Jung Cheol, Kang Seung Geun, and Ahn Woo Hyung, and 8% see growth potential in the company.
Fantagio (which is home to ASTRO and BTOB‘s Lee Changsub) received an overall rating of 2.0 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Fantagio is ₩36.4 million KRW (about $26,400 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, company culture and promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Fantagio, while upper management is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 15% of staff approve of CEO Shin Young Jin, but only 3% see growth potential in the company.
FNC Entertainment (which is home to groups like FTISLAND, CNBLUE, N.Flying, SF9, P1Harmoney, and AMPERS&ONE) received an overall rating of 2.1 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at FNC Entertainment is ₩46.1 million KRW (about $33,500 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at FNC Entertainment, while upper management are considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 19% of staff approve of CEOs Han Seung Ho and Kim Yoo Seok, but just 4% see growth potential in the company.
Yuehua Entertainment (which is home to Tempest and Choi Yena) received an overall rating of 2.1 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Yuehua Entertainment is ₩35.5 million KRW (about $25,800 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, 19% of staff approve of CEOs Lee Sang Kyu and Jeong Hae Chang, while 30% do see growth potential in the company.
YG Entertainment (which is home to groups like BLACKPINK, TREASURE, WINNER, AKMU, and BABYMONSTER) received an overall rating of 2.4 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at YG Entertainment is ₩46.9 million KRW (about $34,100 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at YG Entertainment, while upper management is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 24% of staff approve of CEO Yang Min Seok, and 14% see growth potential in the company.
SM Entertainment (which is home to BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa, RIIZE, and Hearts2Hearts) received an overall rating of 2.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at SM Entertainment is ₩54.2 million KRW (about $39,300 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities was rated the best part of working at SM Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 38% of staff approve of CEOs Jang Cheol Hyuk and Tak Young Jun, and 16% see growth potential in the company.
Starship Entertainment (which is home to K.Will, MONSTA X, CRAVITY, and IVE) received an overall rating of 2.6 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Starship Entertainment is ₩46.3 million KRW (about $33,600 USD).
Of all the company’s facets, company benefits and salary were rated the best part of working at Starship Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 53% of staff approve of CEOs Lee Hoon Hee and Lee Jin Sung, and 26% see growth potential in the company.
JYP Entertainment (which is home to groups like 2PM, ITZY, Stray Kids, NMIXX, DAY6, and TWICE) received an overall rating of 2.6 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at JYP Entertainment is ₩60.8 million KRW (about $44,100 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, 58% of staff approve of CEO Jung Wook, and 16% see growth potential in the company.
HYBE (which is home to BTS and TXT) received an overall rating of 3.0 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at HYBE is ₩52.1 million KRW (about $37,800 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 Lee Jae Sang, and 36% see growth potential in the company.
