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Fantagio

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Fantagio Corp.
Native name
주식회사 판타지오
Company typePublic
KRX: 032800
IndustryEntertainment
Music
Production
GenreK-pop
FoundedSeptember 16, 2008 (2008-09-16) (as N.O.A Entertainment Co., Ltd.)
FounderNa Byeong-jun
HeadquartersGangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Key people
Shin Youngjin (CEO)
ServicesTalent agency
Production company
  • SteadyKR₩14.1 billion (2012)
  • KR₩14.1 billion (2012)
  • SteadyKR₩1.6 billion (2012)
  • KR₩1.6 billion (2012)
OwnerMirae ING Co., Ltd.[1]
(2021-present)
SubsidiariesFantagio Hong Kong
Studio Invictus
Metagio
WebsiteFantagio Official Website

Fantagio (Korean: 판타지오) is a South Korean entertainment company that operates as a record label, talent training and management agency, as well as movie and K-drama production company.[2] The company was founded in September 2008 as N.O.A. Entertainment (standing for "Network of Asia"), before being renamed to Fantagio in June 2011.[3][4] In 2012, the company had a reported operating income of KR₩14.1 billion with a net income of KR₩1.8 billion (approximately US$1.6 million).[5]

History

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2008–2013: Company creation and initial goals

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The company was founded on September 16, 2008, as N.O.A. Entertainment by Na Byeong-jun, who previously worked for SidusHQ. From the start, the company focused on talent training and management, with goals of expanding to other ventures like music and movie production. During this time, the company held regular auditions, where they discovered many talented rookies, some of which became representative domestic actors, such as Ha Jung-woo, Jung Il-woo, and Kim Sae-ron.

In June 2011, the company changed its name to Fantagio (compound word of "Fantasy" and "Origin"). The company started its research and development program, with the goal of training and debuting their own K-pop idol groups. The project soon became known as "i-Teen",[6] and was split into i-Teen Boys (which became Astro) and i-Teen Girls (which became Weki Meki). Fantagio also started its actor training program, "Actors League".[7]

In November 2011, Fantagio Corp. created subsidiaries Fantagio Pictures, for film and TV drama production, Fantagio Music, for music production, and Solid C&M, for other ventures.[8]

2012–2015: First groups and actors

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In May 2012, Fantagio and Pledis Entertainment started a joint venture, and together debuted their first girl group, Hello Venus. On July 31, 2014, the joint venture was terminated due to a conflict between companies, and Fantagio took charge of the group. In the process of termination, 2 members left the group and 2 new members were added. Hello Venus disbanded in May 2019, after their contract expired.

In 2014, in order to improve their stock market status, Fantagio merged with Edu Company, a KOSDAQ listed company. Although Edu Company was the surviving company in the merger, the name was quickly changed back to Fantagio, with Na Byeong-jun becoming the CEO once again.[A][9]

On February 23, 2016, the company debuted its first male idol group, ASTRO, with the release of Spring Up. Within a week of its release, it reached number 6 on the Billboard World Albums Chart.[10] It entered the 10th place on the Japanese Tower Records K-Pop chart. It also ranked 4th in the album section of the Gaon Chart, an official domestic music chart.[11] Since their debut, ASTRO has sold over 1.5 million albums.[12]

In 2015, Choi Yoo-jung and Kim Do-yeon competed in the survival show Produce 101, as representatives of Fantagio. They made it into the top 11 and debuted into I.O.I, a temporary girl group under CJ E&M. The group debuted on May 4, 2016, and promoted until the end of January 2017, when the girls returned to their company. Due to group's immense popularity, the fans were curious about the girls' future activities. It was eventually revealed that "i-Teen Girls" would debut on August 8, 2017, under their official name, Weki Meki. Since their debut, the group has sold over 180,000 albums.[13]

2016–present: Controversies regarding ownership and management

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In 2016, Fantagio sold part of its shares to Gold Finance Korea, the Korean branch of JC Group, which is a Chinese real estate and investment company. In 2017, through a paid-in capital increase, JC Group invested more capital in Fantagio and became a major shareholder in the company (owning over 50 percent of stocks). JC Group then dismissed CEO Na Byung-Joon, the founder of Fantagio, and put Wei Jie in his place, which resulted in several actors and key staff members at Fantagio leaving the agency.[14][15]

In May 2018, it was announced that Fantagio lost its membership in Korea Entertainment Management Association.[16]

In April 2019, Wei Jie was arrested in China on fraud charges.[17][18] In July 2019, Park Hae-sun was added as a co-CEO, and in March 2020 changed to sole CEO.[9]

On May 27, 2020, Gold Finance Korea sold it stocks to L&A Holdings, making them the majority stakeholder. This led to another change in ownership and management, with Ji Hyo-Seop being added as co-CEO on September 24, 2020, then both CEOs being replaced with Park Jae-hong on November 23, 2020.[9]

On February 10, 2021, CEO Park Jae-Hong was changed to CEO Ji Hyo-Seop.[9] On February 15, 2021, CEO Ji Hyo-seop was changed to Park Jong-jin and Shin Young-jin respectively.[9] On February 24, 2021, the largest shareholder was changed from L&A Holdings to Mirae ING.[9] In September, Fantagio moved into the building formerly owned by SM Entertainment. On December 30, Fantagio announced the reduction of capital by the merger of stocks to compensate for the company's loss. The merger took place on February 4, 2022.

On January 6, 2023, it was announced that the company went back to single CEO system and that CEO Park Jong-jin resigned for personal reasons.[19]

Subsidiaries

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The company currently has 3 subsidiaries:[20]

  • Fantagio Hong Kong is an entertainment company based in Hong Kong
  • Studio Invictus is a drama production company based in South Korea
  • Metagio is an entertainment company based in Singapore

Defunct subsidiaries

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Madin Entertainment

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In January 2011, Fantagio founded its acting management division, Madin Entertainment (Korean: 메이딘엔터테인먼트). As of 2015, Fantagio managed over 50 actors and actresses.[21][22] On December 31, 2015, all stocks of Madin Entertainment owned by Fantagio were sold to yarn manufacturing company, Kahi.[23]

Fantagio Music

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Fantagio Music was the record label and music production division. It operated as a subsidiary of Fantagio from November 12, 2011, until November 9, 2021,[24] but has since merged with the parent company. In May 2012, Fantagio launched the girl group Hello Venus as part of Tricell Media, a joint venture with Pledis Entertainment; this was dissolved in 2014 and Hello Venus continued under Fantagio Music.[25][26] Hello Venus disbanded in May 2019.[27] In September 2013 it debuted 5URPRISE, a project boy group whose members are primarily in Fantagio's acting division.[28] The six-member boy group Astro debuted in February 2016; the group also starred in their own drama, To Be Continued.[29][30] In August 2017, the eight-member girl group Weki Meki debuted, with two members from former group I.O.I, Kim Do-yeon and Choi Yoo-jung.[31] Aside from his acting activities, former Wanna One member Ong Seong-wu released his first mini album, Layers, marking his solo music debut.[32]

Fantagio Pictures

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Fantagio Pictures is credited with production or co-production of the following works:[33][34][35]

Solid C&M

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Solid C&M was Fantagio's division for broadcast program production and content distribution rights.[9] When the subsidiary was created, it was listed as the division for restaurant franchises, education, distribution, and other ventures.[21] Cafe Fantagio was launched in September 2012, but has since been closed. In the past, Fantagio also had investments in dessert restaurant franchise Mango Six.[36][37]

On March 4, 2013, founder Na Byeong-jun established Fantagio's Manager Training Academy, aiming to train future celebrity managers through a curriculum including classes in film and media relations.[38][39]

In 2021, Fantagio sold their subsidiaries Fantagio Pictures, Solid C&M, Fantagio China and Fantagio Japan.

Artists

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Actors and actresses

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Source:[42]

Recording artists

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Groups

Soloists

Former artists

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References

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  1. ^ "Announced on page 11 of Fantagio's official business report for 2020" (PDF). Fantagio. February 24, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Official website". Fantagio Corp. Official Website. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021.
  3. ^ Jang, Yeon-joo (June 30, 2011). "N.O.A, '판타지오(fantagio)'로 사명 변경, 스타마케팅 사업 확장". Herald Biz (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  4. ^ "N.O.A Entertainment changes their company name to "Fantagio"". Allkpop. July 1, 2011. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  5. ^ 판타지오 코넥스시장 신규 상장 승인. Financial News (in Korean). December 9, 2013. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  6. ^ "i-Teen 아이틴 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "액터스리그Actors League - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  8. ^ "Fantagio Company Profile 2015" (PDF). Fantagio. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "Fantagio's 2021 business report" (PDF). Fantagio Corp. Official Website. March 20, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  10. ^ "ASTRO's Billboard Chart History". Billboard. June 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  12. ^ "ASTRO's total Korean sales (as of March, 2021)". Archived from the original on November 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "Weki Meki's total Korean Sales (as of March, 2021)". Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  14. ^ Lim, J (January 2, 2018). "Fantagio Staff May Go On Strike In Response To Conflict With Chinese Major Shareholder". Soompi. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  15. ^ K, J (May 15, 2018). "Fantagio States It Is Not Operating Illegally Following Dismissal of CEO". Soompi. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  16. ^ K, J (May 25, 2018). "Fantagio Loses Membership In Korea Entertainment Management Association". Soompi. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  17. ^ "Fantagio Releases Official Statement Regarding Arrest Of CEO". Soompi. May 10, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  18. ^ "Fans Worried For Cha EunWoo, Weki Meki, & Fantagio Artists After JC Group CEO Arrested For Fraud". Kpopmap. May 13, 2019. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Choi, Hoon-gil (January 6, 2023). "Fantagio CEO Park Jong-jin resigns... Shin Young-jin as representative [판타지오, 박종진 대표 사임…신영진 대표 체제로]". Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  20. ^ "Fantagio Business Report 2022" (PDF). October 21, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 21, 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Fantagio Company Profile 2015" (PDF). Fantagio. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  22. ^ "차수연 하정우 한식구된다, 판타지오 메이딘 계열사 편입". news.joins.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  23. ^ Hong, Seok-hee (January 4, 2016). "<생생코스닥> 가희 '엔터 업체' 지분 인수...사업 다각화 '잰걸음'". Herald Corp (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  24. ^ Kim, Yunji (September 1, 2021). "판타지오, 판타지오뮤직 흡수합병 결정" [Fantagio decides to merge with Fantagio Music]. EDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  25. ^ Kim, Erika (July 31, 2014). "Members Yooara and Yoonjo to Leave HelloVenus". www.mnetamerica.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  26. ^ "헬로비너스, 유아라·윤조 빠지고 4인조 활동". www.asiae.co.kr. July 31, 2014. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  27. ^ "Hello Venus members to pursue individual careers after end of contract with Fantagio". Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  28. ^ "New 'Actor group' 5urprise to make a debut soon". Allkpop. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  29. ^ Yoon, Gi-baek (August 14, 2015). 판타지오 뉴 보이그룹, 팀명 '아스트로' 확정 (in Korean). Sports World. Sports World. Archived from the original on November 11, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  30. ^ Elizabeth, Hailie (August 19, 2015). "ASTRO Kick Off Debut Promotions With New Web Drama 'To Be Continued'". KpopStarz.com. KpopStarz. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  31. ^ "김도연X최유정 걸그룹 위키미키, 8월 8일 데뷔 확정(공식)" [Kim Do-yeon and Choi Yoo-jung girl group Weki Meki debut confirmed for August 8 (official)]. Naver (in Korean). July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  32. ^ Lee, Min-ji (February 14, 2020). "옹성우 측 "상반기 앨범 발매 계획, 시기 조율 중"(공식입장)" [Ong Seong-wu is "planning to release an album in the first half of the year, timing is being adjusted" (official statement)]. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  33. ^ "Ha Jung-woo, Ji Jin-hee's Agency Gears Up for Wider Activities". TenAsia. November 13, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  34. ^ Tae, Sang-joon (August 28, 2013). "HA Jung-woo's Directorial Debut Set for October Release". Korean Film Council. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  35. ^ "Fantagio's official website". Fantagio Corp. November 4, 2021. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  36. ^ Park, Min-young (May 28, 2012). "Entertainment agencies expand into new areas". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  37. ^ "healthy dessert 'CAFE MANGOSIX2.0'". www.mangosix.co.kr. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  38. ^ Kim, Ji-soo (March 13, 2013). "Fantagio trains stars' assistants". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  39. ^ Lee, Cory (February 18, 2013). "Fantagio to Fully Fund Academy for Managers". TenAsia. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  40. ^ Lee Nam-kyung (December 20, 2021). "김현 전속계약, 판타지오와 체결…차은우‧옹성우와 한솥밥(공식)". Naver (in Korean). Maeil Broadcasting Network. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  41. ^ Kim Bo-young (June 7, 2021). "승리호' 아역 박예린, 판타지오 전속계약...차은우, 옹성우와 한솥밥 [공식]". Naver (in Korean). Edaily Star. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  42. ^ "Fantagio Actors". Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  43. ^ "큐브 떠난 비투비 이창섭, 판타지오와 전속계약…"그룹 활동 우선"". November 23, 2023.
  44. ^ "차은우, 데뷔 8년만 첫 솔로 앨범 발매 "2024년 상반기 목표" [공식]". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). January 9, 2024. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  45. ^ "'솔로 데뷔' 윤산하, 국내외 차트 장악→10월 팬콘 개최.."진짜 멋있을 것"". Naver (in Korean). August 7, 2024. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  46. ^ a b c d e "[공식]판타지오 측 "서강준→공명 서프라이즈, 계약 종료...새로운 길 응원"(전문)". July 15, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  47. ^ "[공식] 강한나, 키이스트行.."스타성-연기력 겸비, 전폭적 지원"". Naver News (in Korean). October 5, 2020. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  48. ^ "'7년만 해체' 위키미키 "그룹 활동 종료, 멤버 3인 계약 논의 중" [전문] : 네이트 연예". 모바일 네이트 뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.

Notes

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  1. ^ Edu Company was founded on January 8, 1991.
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