CJ E&M Music Performance Division
A former South Korean music business division of CJ E&M involved in recording, artist management, music production, label partnerships, and distribution.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
CJ E&M Music Performance Division was the music-focused business associated with CJ E&M during the company's operation of a broad Korean entertainment portfolio. It developed from the music and distribution activities that had been consolidated in Mnet Media and subsequently absorbed into CJ E&M in 2011. In public descriptions of the business, the division is also identified as CJ E&M Music and is closely connected with the later Stone Music Entertainment label and distribution company. Because the historical business was reorganized several times, the name should be understood as a divisional and operating identity rather than as a continuously independent corporation. The division's activities covered more than the release of recorded music. It participated in music distribution, artist management, music production, label investment, joint ventures, and partnerships with external entertainment companies. Its roster and affiliated projects included established solo artists, vocal groups, idol acts, hip-hop performers, and artists emerging from CJ's television audition and survival-program ecosystem. The division therefore linked CJ's broadcasting capabilities with the commercial development and distribution of Korean popular music. A significant stage in its development followed the 2011 integration of Mnet Media into CJ E&M. The resulting music operation expanded through equity investments, label-system partnerships, acquisitions, and cooperation with independent companies. It partnered with Jellyfish Entertainment, The Music Works, MMO Entertainment, and 1877 Entertainment, and later established or supported specialist labels and management vehicles including Stone Music Entertainment, Swing Entertainment, Off The Record Entertainment, LM Entertainment, Studio Blu, and One Effect. It also formed or backed arrangements involving Victor Entertainment in Japan, Hi-Lite Records, AOMG, High Up Entertainment, Amoeba Culture, and other companies. The division became particularly visible through artists connected to CJ's television programs. It participated in the management or release activities surrounding acts such as Wanna One, I.O.I, JBJ, X1, Iz*One, and fromis_9, while also working with artists including Davichi, SG Wannabe, Eric Nam, Heize, Roy Kim, Son Ho-young, and others. These relationships often involved co-management, temporary project groups, or separate labels rather than straightforward exclusive ownership by one CJ unit. In 2017 CJ E&M established Stone Music Entertainment as a label associated with its music operations. Stone Music was formally registered in 2018, after which CJ E&M Music was merged into it. Stone subsequently functioned as a prominent music label and distribution company, while several artist-management responsibilities were placed in dedicated affiliated labels. Digital distribution arrangements also changed as Genie Music acquired digital distribution rights to Stone Music releases after the integration of CJ Digital Music. The business was ultimately reorganized rather than maintained under the CJ E&M Music or Stone Music identity. CJ ENM applied to close Stone Music Entertainment in April 2021, explaining that it was restructuring its sub-labels for greater efficiency. In May 2021, Stone Music, One Effect, Studio Blue, and Off Record were integrated into WakeOne Entertainment. The former CJ E&M music operation is therefore best viewed as a predecessor and organizational component of CJ ENM's later label and music-distribution structure.
History
The CJ E&M Music Performance Division belongs to the sequence of music businesses assembled by CJ before and during the creation of CJ E&M. Its organizational predecessors included Mnet Media, which combined music distribution and broadcasting activities and later became part of CJ E&M. The division's exact corporate boundaries changed over time, so many historical accounts describe it through the related names CJ E&M Music and Stone Music Entertainment rather than as a standalone company. Mnet Media was formed in 2006 through a combination involving GM Agency, MaxMP3, and ID Icheon Entertainment. CJ Music was merged into Mnet Media in 2007, broadening the operation's role in music distribution and entertainment. In January 2011, Mnet Media was merged into CJ E&M and renamed CJ E&M Music. The merger brought the music business into a larger group structure spanning television, film, live entertainment, and digital media. Mnet Media's KOSDAQ listing was revoked in March 2011 following the corporate integration. After the merger, CJ E&M Music pursued a network-based expansion strategy. It acquired or invested in entertainment companies, negotiated strategic partnerships with independent labels, and created a label system intended to give affiliated companies access to CJ's distribution and media infrastructure. The company acquired a minority position in Jellyfish Entertainment in 2013 and increased that holding in 2017. In 2014, Jellyfish, The Music Works, MMO Entertainment, and 1877 Entertainment were associated with the CJ E&M label system. The operation also launched CJ Victor Entertainment with Japan's Victor Entertainment in 2014, creating a cross-border framework for music activities. The business continued to broaden its partnership portfolio. It acquired B2M Entertainment in 2015 and entered strategic arrangements with Hi-Lite Records and AOMG. In 2017 it established High Up Entertainment with the production team Black Eyed Pilseung and acquired Amoeba Culture. High Up later became independent after CJ E&M sold its stake back to Black Eyed Pilseung in 2018. These transactions show that the division operated as an investment and partnership platform as well as a conventional record label. The Stone Music identity became central to the next phase. CJ E&M established the label in 2017, and Stone Music was formally registered in 2018. CJ E&M Music was subsequently merged into Stone Music Entertainment. Stone worked with artists and project groups associated with CJ's television programming, while dedicated labels were used for particular management assignments. Swing Entertainment was created in 2018 for Wanna One, and Off The Record Entertainment was established later that year for Iz*One and fromis_9. LM Entertainment was announced in early 2019 for Kang Daniel and Yoon Ji-sung after their prior arrangements with MMO Entertainment ended. The period also saw changes in distribution. After CJ Digital Music was merged with Genie Music, Genie acquired digital distribution rights for Stone Music releases, while physical album releases continued to be handled separately. This reflected the increasing separation between recorded-music ownership, artist management, physical distribution, and digital-platform delivery. The final restructuring occurred in 2021. CJ ENM applied to close Stone Music Entertainment, citing efficiency-oriented reorganization of its sub-labels. In May, Stone Music, One Effect, Studio Blue, and Off Record were integrated into WakeOne Entertainment. As a result, the CJ E&M Music identity and its Stone successor ceased to operate as the principal labels in the same form, although their artists, catalogs, agreements, and organizational functions continued in successor or affiliated structures. The division's historical importance lies in its role in building a CJ-centered Korean music ecosystem that combined television exposure, idol-group development, label partnerships, and national and international distribution.
- 2021
Stone Music is closed and successor labels are consolidated
[1]CJ ENM applied to close Stone Music and later integrated it with One Effect, Studio Blue, and Off Record into WakeOne.
- 2019
LM Entertainment is established
[1]LM Entertainment was announced as an exclusive management label for Kang Daniel and Yoon Ji-sung after the end of their previous MMO arrangements.
- 2018
CJ E&M Music merges into Stone Music
[1]Stone Music was formally registered and the CJ E&M Music operation was merged into it. Swing Entertainment and Off The Record were also created for specific artist-management assignments.
- 2017
Stone Music and High Up are established
[1]CJ E&M created Stone Music Entertainment and established High Up Entertainment with Black Eyed Pilseung; it also increased its Jellyfish stake and acquired Amoeba Culture.
- 2015
B2M Entertainment acquisition
[1]CJ E&M Music acquired B2M Entertainment, adding another management and label relationship to its portfolio.
- 2014
CJ E&M label system and CJ Victor Entertainment
[1]The company introduced a label system involving several Korean partners and launched a Japanese joint venture with Victor Entertainment.
- 2013
Investment in Jellyfish Entertainment
[1]CJ E&M Music acquired an initial minority stake in Jellyfish Entertainment and formed a partnership with the company.
- 2011
Mnet Media is absorbed into CJ E&M
[1]Mnet Media became part of CJ E&M and was renamed CJ E&M Music; its KOSDAQ listing was subsequently revoked.
- 2007
CJ Music merges into Mnet Media
[1]The merger expanded Mnet Media's music-distribution and broadcasting activities.
- 2006
Mnet Media is established
[1]Mnet Media was formed through a merger involving GM Agency, MaxMP3, and ID Icheon Entertainment, creating an important predecessor to the later CJ E&M music operation.
Products and positioning
A vertically integrated Korean music operation connecting record releases, artist management, label investment, digital distribution, and CJ's broadcasting and entertainment infrastructure.
Music catalog
Recorded music releases
The division released and distributed Korean popular music across physical albums and digital services. Its catalog included releases by solo artists, vocal groups, idol groups, project groups, and artists connected with CJ entertainment programs. The operating structure frequently separated label ownership, artist management, and distribution among CJ units and partner companies.
Entertainment management
Artist and project-group management
The music operation managed or co-managed artists and temporary idol projects, including acts formed through CJ television programs. Dedicated labels such as Swing Entertainment and Off The Record were used for selected groups, allowing management arrangements to be tailored to contract periods and project structures.
Distribution
Music distribution services
Distribution was a core function of the business, covering physical releases and digital delivery through external platforms. After CJ Digital Music was combined with Genie Music, Genie obtained digital distribution rights for Stone Music releases while physical-album distribution remained separately organized.
Controversies
2011
Music-price manipulation enforcement case
The predecessor operation then known as Mnet Media was reported among companies fined and sued by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission in connection with alleged music-price rigging. The enforcement matter forms part of the regulatory history of the business before its full operation under the CJ E&M Music identity.
Brand decisions
2021
Consolidate the sub-label network under WakeOneStrategyBackground
CJ ENM stated that it was reorganizing its sub-labels to improve efficiency.
Action taken
Stone Music, One Effect, Studio Blue, and Off Record were integrated into WakeOne after CJ ENM applied to close Stone Music.
Aftermath
The CJ E&M Music and Stone Music identities ceased to function as the main operating labels, with activities moved into the successor WakeOne structure.
2018
Move CJ E&M Music operations into Stone MusicGeneration changeBackground
CJ E&M continued reorganizing its music activities around a label-and-subsidiary structure.
Action taken
Stone Music Entertainment was formally registered and CJ E&M Music was merged into it.
Aftermath
Stone Music became the principal public-facing successor for much of the prior music operation, while specialized labels handled selected artists and groups.
2017
Create Stone Music EntertainmentStrategyBackground
CJ E&M sought a dedicated label identity for music releases and artist activities within its expanding partnership and management network.
Action taken
The company established Stone Music Entertainment as a new label associated with CJ E&M Music.
Aftermath
Stone Music became the successor identity into which CJ E&M Music was later merged and supported releases by CJ-affiliated and partner artists.
2011
Integrate the music operation into CJ E&MStrategyBackground
CJ consolidated Mnet Media and related music activities as part of the formation and expansion of CJ E&M.
Action taken
Mnet Media was merged into CJ E&M and renamed CJ E&M Music.
Aftermath
The music business gained access to CJ E&M's wider media and entertainment infrastructure, while the predecessor company's KOSDAQ listing was revoked.
Recent events
- 2021
CJ ENM applies to close Stone Music Entertainment[1]
Leadership change
CJ ENM sought to close Stone Music Entertainment as part of a stated reorganization of its sub-label structure for efficiency.
- 2021
CJ ENM integrates several labels into WakeOne[1]
M&A
Stone Music, One Effect, Studio Blue, and Off Record were integrated into WakeOne, marking the end of the prior label arrangement.
- 2017
CJ E&M Music establishes the Stone Music Entertainment label[1]
Product launch
CJ E&M created Stone Music Entertainment as a label connected with its music business, supporting releases and artist activities including projects involving Wanna One, Davichi, JBJ, and fromis_9.
- 2014
CJ E&M Music receives Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards distributor recognition[1]
Other
Under the CJ E&M Music name, the music operation was recognized as Distributor of the Year at the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards.
Sources1 sources
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