WakeOne
A South Korean entertainment company and music label operated within CJ ENM's entertainment division.
Last updated October 17, 2026
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Overview
WakeOne is a South Korean entertainment company whose activities include music production, recording-artist management, entertainment planning, and the operation of idol groups formed through CJ ENM and Mnet television programs. The company is part of CJ ENM's entertainment division and has functioned as one of the group's principal artist-management labels. Its roster has included solo singers, producers, temporary project groups, permanent-contract artists, and performers managed in cooperation with affiliated or external companies. The business originated in 2014 as MMO Entertainment, a name derived from “Music Makes One,” a slogan associated with CJ ENM's Mnet music business. In its early years, MMO represented a mixture of soloists and other music acts, including Park Bo-ram, Kim Feel, Hong Dae-kwang, Kang Daniel, Yoon Ji-sung, and other artists. The label's role broadened as CJ ENM developed a more integrated structure for managing artists and groups connected with its television and music operations. In 2018, MMO and CJ ENM established Off the Record Entertainment to manage Iz*One and Fromis 9. Both groups originated from Mnet survival or audition programs: Iz*One from Produce 48 and Fromis 9 from Idol School. Pledis Entertainment participated in creative direction and music production during part of this period. Fromis 9 later transferred to Pledis in 2021, while Iz*One ended its project-group activities after its temporary contract period. MMO changed its name to Onefect Entertainment in 2020. In 2021, CJ ENM introduced WakeOne as a consolidated label and management platform. The reorganization brought together Stone Music Entertainment, One Effect Entertainment, Studio Blu, and Off the Record Entertainment under the WakeOne structure. Around the same period, the company assumed management responsibilities for TO1 after CJ ENM's previous management arrangement for the group ended. WakeOne also became involved in managing Kep1er alongside Swing Entertainment. The company's more recent identity has been shaped by Mnet-created project groups. Nine contestants from Boys Planet were selected in 2023 to form ZEROBASEONE, which became one of WakeOne's central management projects. In 2024, seven contestants from I-Land 2: N/a were selected to form izna, a group produced in cooperation with The Black Label. WakeOne also announced a merger with Swing Entertainment, effective June 1, 2024, with WakeOne surviving as the continuing entity. The merger further concentrated CJ ENM's management operations under the WakeOne name. Alongside group management, WakeOne has represented or worked with solo artists such as Jo Yu-ri, Ha Hyun-sang, Kim Feel, Kim Jae-hwan, and Lim Seul-ong, as well as producer Park Woo-sang. Its roster has changed regularly because several groups are tied to fixed project terms, while individual artists have transferred to other companies or concluded their relationships with the label. The company therefore combines conventional record-label functions with the specialized management of television-born idol projects. Its commercial reach is primarily Korean but extends internationally through K-pop releases, global fandom activity, overseas promotions, and partnerships associated with its artists.
History
WakeOne traces its origins to MMO Entertainment, founded in 2014 by Son Dong-hoon. The MMO name referenced “Music Makes One,” a slogan associated with CJ ENM's Mnet music activities. The company initially operated as a conventional Korean music label, working with solo performers and other acts. Its early roster included Park Bo-ram, Kim Feel, Hong Dae-kwang, and other artists, while later management activities involved performers such as Kang Daniel and Yoon Ji-sung. The label's connection with CJ ENM became more significant in 2018, when MMO and CJ ENM created Off the Record Entertainment. The new company was established to manage Iz*One and Fromis 9, two groups connected to Mnet programs. Iz*One was formed through Produce 48, while Fromis 9 was created through Idol School. Pledis Entertainment was involved in creative direction and music production for the groups during part of the arrangement. Fromis 9 moved fully to Pledis in August 2021, and Iz*One later concluded its temporary activities. In March 2020, MMO changed its name to Onefect Entertainment. The following year CJ ENM reorganized several internal and affiliated music-management operations. CJ ENM introduced the WakeOne label in May 2021 and formally launched the consolidated structure in August. Stone Music Entertainment, One Effect Entertainment, Studio Blu, and Off the Record Entertainment were integrated into the broader WakeOne organization. This change positioned WakeOne as a central CJ ENM label rather than simply a successor to MMO. The 2021 reorganization also affected the management of groups connected to CJ ENM's television properties. After CJ ENM's management arrangement with n.CH Entertainment ended, TO1 moved to WakeOne. WakeOne additionally became involved in the management of Kep1er with Swing Entertainment after the group was formed by Girls Planet 999. In December 2021, producer Park Woo-sang joined the label, reinforcing its role in music creation as well as artist administration. WakeOne expanded its activities beyond idol groups. In October 2022, singer and actor Lim Seul-ong signed with the company for solo activities. Dance crew Mbitious joined in January 2023. In April 2023, nine contestants from Boys Planet were selected to form ZEROBASEONE, which became a major WakeOne-managed act. The company later took responsibility for izna, formed in 2024 through I-Land 2: N/a and produced in cooperation with The Black Label. A further structural change came in 2024, when WakeOne announced a merger with Swing Entertainment. The merger became effective on June 1, with WakeOne surviving as the operating entity. This consolidated management responsibilities that had previously been divided between the two companies, including work associated with project groups. WakeOne's roster continued to change as fixed-term group contracts ended and artists transferred or departed. In 2025, the company appointed Nam So-young as chief executive. It also adopted a two-center management system: one center was designated for ZEROBASEONE and izna, while the other was assigned to Alpha Drive One's debut and solo artists. Alpha Drive One was selected through Boys II Planet in September 2025. Through these changes, WakeOne developed from a small label founded as MMO into a CJ ENM-centered entertainment company combining record-label operations, artist management, production, and the administration of high-profile television-created groups.
- 2025
Alpha Drive One was formed
[1]Eight contestants from Boys II Planet were selected to debut as Alpha Drive One under WakeOne management.
- 2025
Nam So-young became chief executive
[1]WakeOne appointed Nam So-young as CEO and introduced a two-center management structure.
- 2024
WakeOne merged with Swing Entertainment
[1]The merger took effect on June 1, 2024, with WakeOne continuing as the surviving entity.
- 2024
izna was selected for WakeOne management
[1]Seven contestants from I-Land 2: N/a were selected to form izna, managed by WakeOne and produced with The Black Label.
- 2023
ZEROBASEONE was formed
[1]Nine contestants from Boys Planet were selected to debut in the WakeOne-managed project group ZEROBASEONE.
- 2021
WakeOne was launched as a consolidated label
[1]CJ ENM integrated Stone Music Entertainment, Onefect Entertainment, Studio Blu, and Off the Record Entertainment into the WakeOne structure.
- 2021
WakeOne assumed management of TO1
[1]TO1 moved to WakeOne after the end of its previous management arrangement with n.CH Entertainment.
- 2021
Kep1er management began
[1]WakeOne was announced as a co-manager of Kep1er with Swing Entertainment.
- 2020
MMO changed its name to Onefect Entertainment
[1]The original MMO company adopted the Onefect Entertainment name during CJ ENM's broader label restructuring.
- 2018
Off the Record Entertainment was established
[1]MMO and CJ ENM established Off the Record Entertainment to manage Iz*One and Fromis 9.
Products and positioning
A CJ ENM-backed K-pop label and artist-management company specializing in music releases, solo performers, and idol groups originating from Mnet audition and survival programs.
Music releases · 2014
Recorded music
WakeOne develops and releases singles, extended plays, albums, and other recorded-music projects for its managed artists. Its catalog spans solo performers and idol groups, with releases often supported by CJ ENM's television, digital, promotional, and distribution ecosystem.
Entertainment services · 2014
Artist management
The company provides management and career services for singers, producers, dance performers, and idol groups. Activities may include scheduling, promotions, recordings, performances, fan engagement, and coordination with partner companies.
K-pop group · 2021
Kep1er
Kep1er is a project girl group formed through Girls Planet 999. WakeOne managed the group in cooperation with Swing Entertainment, reflecting the label's role in administering Mnet-originated temporary groups.
K-pop group · 2023
ZEROBASEONE
ZEROBASEONE is a project boy group formed through Boys Planet in 2023. It became one of WakeOne's principal artist-management projects and was assigned to the company's first management center in its later two-center structure.
K-pop group · 2024
izna
izna is a girl group formed through I-Land 2: N/a. WakeOne manages the group in cooperation with The Black Label, which is involved in production. The group represents WakeOne's expansion beyond temporary project groups toward standard artist contracts.
K-pop group · 2025
Alpha Drive One
Alpha Drive One is a boy group formed through Boys II Planet. WakeOne assigned its debut and management activities to the company's second management center.
Artist roster · 2014
Solo artists and producers
WakeOne's solo and production roster has included Jo Yu-ri, Ha Hyun-sang, Kim Feel, Kim Jae-hwan, Lim Seul-ong, and producer Park Woo-sang. The roster has changed over time as artists have signed, renewed, transferred, or ended their relationships with the label.
Brand decisions
2025
Creation of a two-center management systemStrategyBackground
WakeOne expanded its roster with project groups including ZEROBASEONE, izna, and Alpha Drive One, alongside solo artists.
Action taken
Following the appointment of Nam So-young as CEO, WakeOne reorganized into two management centers. Center 1 was assigned to ZEROBASEONE and izna, while Center 2 focused on Alpha Drive One's debut and solo artists.
Aftermath
The reorganization created separate management groupings for major project-group operations and the company's developing solo-artist and new-group activities.
2024
Merger with Swing EntertainmentM&ABackground
WakeOne and Swing Entertainment had both been involved in the management of CJ ENM-linked project groups, including Kep1er.
Action taken
WakeOne announced a merger with Swing Entertainment, effective June 1, 2024, with WakeOne designated as the surviving entity.
Aftermath
Management activities previously divided between the two companies were brought under the continuing WakeOne organization.
2021
Consolidation of CJ ENM music labels under WakeOneStrategyBackground
CJ ENM operated several music and artist-management labels with overlapping functions, including Stone Music Entertainment, Onefect Entertainment, Studio Blu, and Off the Record Entertainment.
Action taken
CJ ENM launched WakeOne and integrated the named labels and management operations into the new structure.
Aftermath
WakeOne became a central CJ ENM label for music releases and artist management, including projects connected to Mnet programs.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Geonwoo sues WAKEONE over exclusive contract[2]
Reported:
Geonwoo sued his agency, WAKEONE, seeking a ruling on the validity of his exclusive contract and his contractual status as an artist.
Sources2 sources
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