BigHit Music
A South Korean HYBE label responsible for artists including BTS, Tomorrow X Together, Lee Hyun, and Cortis.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
BigHit Music is a South Korean record label and artist-management company operating within HYBE. It was established in 2005 by producer and executive Bang Si-hyuk as Big Hit Entertainment and became internationally recognized through the development of BTS, whose music, touring, digital engagement, and global fan community helped make the company one of the most prominent labels associated with modern K-pop. The label’s history also includes work with acts such as 8Eight, 2AM, Glam, Lim Jeong-hee, and Homme. The company began as a relatively small entertainment agency focused on music production, artist development, recording, and management. Its early activities included signing the vocal trio 8Eight in 2007 and entering a joint-management arrangement with JYP Entertainment for 2AM in 2010. During the same period, Bang Si-hyuk recruited RM as the first member of the group that would become BTS and organized auditions to complete the lineup. BTS debuted under Big Hit on June 13, 2013, initially presenting a hip-hop-oriented identity and later expanding into a broad pop catalog addressing youth, identity, ambition, social pressure, and personal growth. Big Hit’s roster changed substantially during the 2010s. The company formed Glam in collaboration with Source Music, managed Lim Jeong-hee, and continued its relationship with 2AM until the joint arrangement ended in 2014. 8Eight ended its activities with Big Hit after member contracts expired, while Glam was disbanded in 2014. Homme ended in 2018 after Changmin’s contract concluded, with Lee Hyun continuing as a solo artist. BTS renewed and extended its agreement with the agency in 2018, providing continuity during the group’s rapid international expansion. In March 2019, Big Hit introduced Tomorrow X Together, commonly abbreviated as TXT, its second major boy group. TXT developed a distinct youth-oriented identity and became an important part of the label’s multi-artist strategy. Big Hit also expanded its international infrastructure through partnerships involving Universal Music Group, Geffen Records, Big Hit America, distribution, and HYBE’s Weverse platform. These arrangements reflected a broader shift from a conventional Korean agency toward a global music and entertainment system combining recorded music, live performance, fan communication, merchandise, and digital services. In March 2021, the former Big Hit Entertainment announced a corporate reorganization. The parent company was renamed HYBE Corporation, while the record-label business was rebranded BigHit Music. HYBE subsequently separated the label business into a subsidiary wholly owned by HYBE, and BigHit Music formally became a HYBE subsidiary on July 1, 2021. The change distinguished the BigHit label from HYBE’s wider corporate activities while preserving the label’s artist-management and music-production identity. BigHit Music’s current and recent roster includes BTS and its members’ solo activities, Tomorrow X Together, soloist Lee Hyun, and the group Cortis. Its business scope includes recorded music, artist management, concerts and related performance activities, physical and digital releases, music videos, fan-oriented content, and licensed or associated merchandise. BTS and TXT are its principal internationally visible group brands. The label also has a continuing production culture in which artists and in-house or affiliated producers participate in songwriting, composition, arrangement, and performance development. BigHit Music’s positioning is therefore based on artist-led K-pop, strong fandom relationships, global distribution, and integration with HYBE’s wider platform and entertainment ecosystem.
History
BigHit Music originated as Big Hit Entertainment, founded by Bang Si-hyuk on February 1, 2005. The early company operated as a music and artist-management agency, building a roster through signing, joint management, and artist development. Its first notable group signing was the trio 8Eight in 2007. In 2010, Big Hit entered a joint-management agreement with JYP Entertainment for the boy group 2AM. The arrangement gave Big Hit experience in managing a prominent idol group while maintaining cooperation with another major Korean entertainment company. Also in 2010, Bang Si-hyuk recruited RM as the first member of a planned hip-hop-oriented group and began nationwide auditions for additional members. The resulting group, BTS, debuted on June 13, 2013. BTS initially built recognition in South Korea through music addressing youth concerns and social expectations, then developed a larger international audience through successive releases, online communication, touring, and active participation by its members in songwriting and production. The group eventually became the defining act associated with Big Hit’s brand. Big Hit diversified its artist roster during the same period. It signed singer Lim Jeong-hee in 2012 and formed the girl group Glam in collaboration with Source Music. Glam remained active until 2014, when it was disbanded following a legal controversy involving member Kim Da-hee. The company’s joint-management relationship with JYP and 2AM also ended in April 2014. Three 2AM members returned to JYP, while Lee Chang-min remained associated with Big Hit for solo work and the duo Homme. 8Eight’s activities with Big Hit ended in 2014 after the relevant member contracts concluded, and Lim Jeong-hee left the agency in 2015 when her three-year contract expired. Homme ended in February 2018 after Changmin’s contract concluded. Changmin subsequently established his own agency, while Lee Hyun continued as a Big Hit solo artist. Later in 2018, BTS renewed and extended its contract with the agency for seven additional years. In March 2019, Big Hit debuted Tomorrow X Together, giving the label a second major boy group and establishing a broader multi-artist structure. TXT developed an independent musical and visual identity while benefiting from the company’s growing production, distribution, and fan-community infrastructure. The company’s expansion increasingly involved international partnerships and digital ecosystems. In February 2021, Big Hit announced cooperation with Universal Music Group, including a venture involving Big Hit America and Geffen Records and plans to develop a pop group through a model influenced by K-pop’s training and production system. Big Hit also reached an agreement later that year for BTS distribution in the United States and several other markets to move from Sony Music-related arrangements to Universal. A major corporate reorganization followed. On March 19, 2021, Big Hit Entertainment announced that the parent corporation would be renamed HYBE Corporation to reflect activities extending beyond a single record label. The label business adopted the name BigHit Music. HYBE announced in April that it would separate the label operation into a new company wholly owned by HYBE, and BigHit Music became a HYBE subsidiary on July 1, 2021. The reorganization preserved BigHit Music as an artist-centered label while placing it inside a larger group that also operates technology, fan-platform, performance, and other entertainment businesses. BigHit Music’s current and recent activities center on BTS, BTS members’ solo work, Tomorrow X Together, Lee Hyun, and Cortis. The label’s operating model covers music recording and release, artist management, concerts, audiovisual content, fan engagement, and associated merchandise. Its philanthropic activity has included a donation connected to families affected by the Sewol ferry disaster in 2017, as well as joint support with BTS for Black Lives Matter and Live Nation’s Crew Nation campaign in 2020. The label remains best understood as the HYBE group’s BigHit-branded music operation, distinguished by its historic connection to BTS and its continued development of artists and music for Korean and global audiences.
- 2021
The label is renamed BigHit Music
[1]The label business adopts the BigHit Music name during HYBE’s corporate reorganization.
- 2021
BigHit Music becomes a HYBE subsidiary
[1]The separated label operation begins formal subsidiary status under HYBE on July 1.
- 2019
Tomorrow X Together debuts
[1]Big Hit launches Tomorrow X Together in March as its second major boy group.
- 2018
BTS renews its agency contract
[1]BTS renews and extends its contract with the agency for seven additional years.
- 2014
2AM joint-management arrangement ends
[1]The Big Hit–JYP arrangement concludes; three members return to JYP while Lee Chang-min remains with Big Hit for further activities.
- 2013
BTS debuts
[1]BTS makes its official debut under Big Hit Entertainment on June 13.
- 2010
Big Hit begins joint management of 2AM
[1]Big Hit and JYP Entertainment enter a joint-management arrangement for 2AM.
- 2010
RM becomes the first member of BTS
[1]Bang Si-hyuk recruits RM and begins nationwide auditions to assemble the group that becomes BTS.
- 2007
8Eight signs with Big Hit
[1]The vocal trio 8Eight becomes one of the company’s early notable artist signings.
- 2005
Big Hit Entertainment is founded
[1]Bang Si-hyuk establishes Big Hit Entertainment on February 1 as a South Korean music and artist-management company.
Products and positioning
Artist-led K-pop label with global reach, strong fandom engagement, and integrated music, live-performance, digital-content, and merchandise activities.
Boy group · 2013
BTS
BTS is BigHit Music’s defining artist group. Debuting in 2013, the seven-member act developed from a hip-hop-influenced idol group into a globally prominent pop act. Its catalog, performances, member songwriting, and direct fan communication form the central foundation of BigHit Music’s international reputation.
Boy group · 2019
Tomorrow X Together
Tomorrow X Together, commonly known as TXT, debuted in 2019 as Big Hit’s second major boy group. The group operates with a distinct youth-oriented concept and discography, helping the label broaden its roster and maintain a multi-generation artist-development strategy alongside BTS.
Solo artist
Lee Hyun
Lee Hyun is a singer associated with Big Hit since the company’s earlier Big Hit Entertainment period. After Homme ended and Changmin departed, Lee Hyun continued as a solo artist. His activities include Korean solo music and work connected with the Midnatt identity.
Boy group
Cortis
Cortis is listed among the groups associated with the current BigHit Music roster. The available reference material identifies the act as part of the label’s present artist lineup but does not provide enough detail here about its launch, musical catalog, or commercial positioning.
Music releases · 2005
Recorded music catalogue
BigHit Music releases digital singles, albums, physical editions, and audiovisual music content by its artists. The label’s catalogue includes group and solo projects, with distribution and promotion coordinated across South Korean and international markets through HYBE’s broader business network.
Entertainment services
Live performances and artist content
Concerts, tours, fan-oriented programs, digital content, and related performance activities are important parts of the label’s offering. These activities extend the value of recorded releases and connect artists with domestic and international fan communities.
Controversies
2014
Glam member blackmail conviction and group disbandment
Glam was disbanded after controversy involving member Kim Da-hee, who was found guilty and sentenced to prison for blackmailing actor Lee Byung-hun. Glam had been formed through a collaboration between Big Hit Entertainment and Source Music.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Black Lives Matter support
United States · Global
Big Hit and BTS jointly supported the Black Lives Matter movement during protests following the killing of George Floyd.
Outcome. The contribution provided financial support to the movement and publicly associated the label and artist with racial-justice advocacy.
- 2020Crew Nation support
Global
Big Hit and BTS contributed to Live Nation’s Crew Nation campaign, which assisted live-music personnel affected by COVID-19 disruption.
Outcome. The donation supported workers whose employment was affected by the suspension of live events.
- 2017Sewol families donation
South Korea
Big Hit Entertainment donated ₩30 million to the 4/16 Sewol Families for Truth and A Safer Society, an organization associated with families of victims of the MV Sewol sinking.
Outcome. A charitable contribution to an organization advocating for truth and improved public safety.
Brand decisions
2021
Rebrand the parent company as HYBE and the label as BigHit MusicStrategyBackground
Big Hit Entertainment had expanded beyond the activities of a single record label into a broader entertainment and technology group.
Action taken
The parent corporation adopted the HYBE name, while the record-label operation was renamed BigHit Music.
Aftermath
BigHit Music retained its label identity while operating as one of HYBE’s specialized artist and music businesses.
2021
Separate BigHit Music into a wholly owned subsidiaryStrategyBackground
HYBE sought to distinguish its label operations from its wider corporate ventures and business units.
Action taken
HYBE approved the separation of the label business into a new company with HYBE holding 100 percent of the stake; BigHit Music became a subsidiary on July 1.
Aftermath
The label continued managing and releasing music for BigHit artists within the HYBE group structure.
2021
Partner with Universal Music Group and Geffen RecordsStrategyBackground
Big Hit was seeking stronger international infrastructure and new ways to apply K-pop’s artist-development model to global pop.
Action taken
Big Hit America and Geffen Records planned a Los Angeles-based label venture and development of a pop group using a K-pop-influenced system.
Aftermath
The partnership expanded Big Hit’s international strategic network and preceded changes to BTS distribution in the United States and other markets.
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