Stone Music Entertainment
Stone Music Entertainment was a South Korean music label and distribution business operated by CJ ENM before its management operations were closed and its label functions were reorganized under WakeOne.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Stone Music Entertainment was a South Korean music company associated with CJ ENM and the wider CJ Group. Although the Stone Music name was introduced as a label in 2017, the business inherited a much longer corporate and music-industry lineage. Its predecessor history reached back to Mediopia, established in 1993 as an electronics manufacturer and distributor, and later passed through Mnet Media and CJ E&M Music. Mnet Media was formed in 2006 through the combination of several music, agency, and digital-music businesses, while CJ E&M Music became the principal successor after Mnet Media was merged into CJ E&M in 2011. The Stone Music label was created during CJ E&M Music's expansion into a more diversified label and artist-management system. It produced and distributed recordings for artists connected with CJ's entertainment portfolio and participated in management arrangements for prominent Korean pop acts. Associated artists included Wanna One, Davichi, SG Wannabe, Eric Nam, Son Ho-young, Roy Kim, Heize, Yoon Ji-sung, X1, Iz*One, Fromis 9, TO1, and others. The company also worked with partner or affiliated labels, including Jellyfish Entertainment, B2M Entertainment, AOMG, Hi-Lite Records, Amoeba Culture, Swing Entertainment, Off The Record Entertainment, Studio Blu, and MMO Entertainment. Stone Music's role was not limited to releasing music under a single in-house roster. It operated across recorded-music distribution, physical and digital album releases, label partnerships, artist production, and management. The company had a particularly visible role in project-group ecosystems connected with CJ ENM's television audition and survival programs. It helped produce or manage groups such as Wanna One, Fromis 9, Iz*One, X1, and related temporary or partner-managed acts. Its earlier corporate predecessor was recognized as Music Distributor of the Year at the 2014 Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards when the business operated as CJ E&M Music. The organization also developed international and cross-company partnerships. In 2014, CJ E&M Music formed CJ Victor Entertainment with Japan's Victor Entertainment. Digital distribution arrangements later involved Genie Music, particularly after CJ Digital Music was merged into Genie Music in 2018. Physical album distribution remained separately handled in the reported arrangement. These activities reflected the increasing separation of production, management, digital distribution, and physical music businesses in South Korea. The Stone Music brand ceased operating as a standalone management and label business during a broader CJ ENM restructuring. In April 2021, CJ ENM was reported to have applied to close Stone Music Entertainment, describing the move as part of an effort to reorganize sub-labels for greater efficiency. In May 2021, Stone Music, One Effect, Studio Blu, and Off The Record were integrated into WakeOne, with TO1 identified as an early artist managed under the new label. Stone Music therefore remains important as a historical CJ music brand and catalog identity, but it is no longer an active standalone company in the form described by its earlier artist-management business.
History
Stone Music Entertainment's corporate history combines a legacy of electronics, broadcasting, digital music, recorded-music distribution, and artist management. The earliest predecessor identified in the company's history was established as Mediopia in May 1993. It was renamed Mediopia Technology in 1994 and initially operated in electronics manufacturing and distribution rather than as a conventional record label. The company entered the KOSDAQ market in January 2002 and incorporated Maekyung Hudson as a subsidiary in 2004. A major ownership transition took place in July 2006, when CJ Corporation replaced Poibos as the largest shareholder. The company became affiliated with CJ and was subsequently connected with CJ Media. In September 2006, it was reconstituted as Mnet Media following a merger involving GM Agency, MaxMP3, and ID Icheon Entertainment. This transaction brought together agency activities, digital music, and entertainment-media capabilities. Mnet Media established Core Contents Media in 2007 under producer Kim Kwang-soo, and CJ Music was merged into Mnet Media later that year. In January 2011, Mnet Media was merged into CJ E&M and became CJ E&M Music. The merger ended the predecessor company's separate KOSDAQ listing, which was revoked in March 2011. CJ E&M Music subsequently expanded through investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. It acquired a minority stake in Jellyfish Entertainment in 2013 and introduced a label system in 2014 involving Jellyfish, The Music Works, MMO Entertainment, and 1877 Entertainment. It also formed CJ Victor Entertainment with Japan's Victor Entertainment in 2014, acquired B2M Entertainment in 2015, and established strategic relationships with Hi-Lite Records and AOMG. The Stone Music name emerged in 2017 as part of CJ E&M Music's label development. The label produced music for CJ-associated artists, including Wanna One and Davichi, and became involved in the management of Fromis 9 after the Idol School program. During this period CJ E&M also established High Up Entertainment with Black Eyed Pilseung, acquired additional shares in Jellyfish Entertainment, and acquired Amoeba Culture. CJ's stake in High Up was later sold back to Black Eyed Pilseung, leaving that company independent. Stone Music Entertainment was formally registered in April 2018, and CJ E&M was merged into it the following month. The company then created or supported specialized management labels for temporary and project-based artists. Swing Entertainment was established in June 2018 for Wanna One, while Off The Record Entertainment was created in September 2018 for Iz*One and Fromis 9. In 2019, LM Entertainment was announced for Kang Daniel and Yoon Ji-sung after their previous arrangements with MMO Entertainment ended. These structures allowed CJ's music division to separate management responsibilities for individual groups while retaining a broader distribution and corporate framework. Distribution arrangements also changed during this period. In October 2018, Genie Music acquired digital distribution rights for Stone Music releases after the merger of Genie Music with CJ Digital Music. Physical albums continued to be released through a separate arrangement. This reflected the growing specialization of digital platforms and physical-record distribution within the Korean music industry. Stone Music's artist-management activities ended during CJ ENM's 2021 restructuring. In April of that year, reports stated that CJ ENM had applied to close the company, explaining that its sub-labels were being reorganized for efficiency. In May, Stone Music, One Effect, Studio Blue, and Off The Record were integrated into WakeOne. TO1 was identified as an artist managed under the new label. Stone Music consequently became a historical label and distribution identity within CJ ENM's music catalog rather than an active standalone management company.
- 2021
Standalone business closed and functions integrated into WakeOne
[1]CJ ENM reorganized its sub-labels, closing Stone Music's standalone operation and integrating it with other labels into WakeOne.
- 2018
Stone Music Entertainment formally registered
[1]The Stone Music Entertainment entity was formally registered in April, followed by the merger of CJ E&M into the company in May.
- 2018
Digital distribution transferred to Genie Music
[1]Genie Music acquired digital distribution rights for Stone Music releases after the combination with CJ Digital Music.
- 2017
Stone Music label introduced
[1]CJ E&M Music established the Stone Music label for music production and releases connected with its artist and partner network.
- 2014
CJ Victor Entertainment launched
[1]CJ E&M Music formed a Japanese joint venture with Victor Entertainment.
- 2011
Merged into CJ E&M
[1]Mnet Media was merged into CJ E&M and renamed CJ E&M Music; its separate KOSDAQ listing was revoked soon afterward.
- 2006
CJ became the largest shareholder
[1]CJ Corporation replaced Poibos as the predecessor company's largest shareholder, bringing the business into the CJ corporate network.
- 2006
Mnet Media formed
[1]The company was re-established as Mnet Media after a merger involving GM Agency, MaxMP3, and ID Icheon Entertainment.
- 2002
Predecessor listed on KOSDAQ
[1]Mediopia Technology was listed on South Korea's KOSDAQ market.
- 1993
Mediopia established
[1]The earliest corporate predecessor in the documented lineage was established as Mediopia, initially as an electronics manufacturer and distributor.
Products and positioning
A CJ ENM-linked Korean music company combining recorded-music distribution, label operations, artist management, and partnerships with independent entertainment agencies. Its strongest historical visibility came from K-pop project groups and the broader CJ entertainment ecosystem.
Music distribution · 2017
Recorded music releases
Stone Music released and distributed Korean pop recordings for artists managed by CJ ENM, its subsidiaries, and partner labels. Its catalog included work by established soloists, groups, and temporary project groups formed through CJ entertainment programs.
Recorded music · 2017
Physical albums
The company participated in physical album releases for affiliated artists and project groups. Physical releases were handled separately from the digital distribution arrangement later associated with Genie Music.
Digital music · 2018
Digital music distribution
Stone Music's digital catalog was distributed through arrangements that later involved Genie Music. The change followed the merger of Genie Music with CJ Digital Music in 2018, while Stone Music's physical-album activities remained separately organized.
Entertainment management · 2017
Artist and project-group management
At its peak, Stone Music managed or co-managed artists and project groups including Wanna One, Iz*One, Fromis 9, X1, Yoon Ji-sung, Eric Nam, Heize, SG Wannabe, and others. Management was often conducted through specialized labels or partnership arrangements.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2021
Closure and integration into WakeOneStrategyBackground
CJ ENM stated that it was reorganizing its sub-labels to improve operating efficiency.
Action taken
CJ ENM closed Stone Music's standalone operation and integrated it with One Effect, Studio Blu, and Off The Record into WakeOne.
Aftermath
Stone Music ceased to operate as an independent label and management company, while its functions and associated artists were reorganized within WakeOne and other CJ-linked structures.
2018
Formation of specialized project-group labelsStrategyBackground
CJ-linked project groups required dedicated management structures after their formation through entertainment programs and partner arrangements.
Action taken
Stone Music established Swing Entertainment for Wanna One and Off The Record Entertainment for Iz*One and Fromis 9.
Aftermath
Management responsibilities for several high-profile project groups were separated from the main Stone Music structure.
2017
Creation of the Stone Music labelStrategyBackground
CJ E&M Music was developing a broader system of in-house labels, partner agencies, and project-group management operations.
Action taken
It introduced Stone Music as a label producing and releasing music for artists associated with the CJ E&M music business.
Aftermath
The label became associated with major CJ-linked K-pop projects and was later formalized as Stone Music Entertainment.
Sources1 sources
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