These Are The Top K-Pop Agencies That Treat Their Staff The Best (And The Worst)

Which of these 12 companies would you want to work for?

As if being an idol isn’t difficult enough, many of the staff who work with idols also suffer through tough work and get very little recognition in return. To make matters worse, not all companies are known to treat their employees well—though some are certainly better than others. According to company reviews from a reputable Korean job portal, here’s how well (or poorly) 12 of the top agencies in K-Pop treat their staff.

12. RBW

RBW (which is home to groups like MAMAMOO, Purple Kiss, and ONEUS) received an overall rating of 1.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at RBW is ₩24.1 million KRW (about $21,300 USD).

MAMAMOO | RBW

Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at RBW, while salary and work-life balance are considered the worst parts of the job. In addition, 13% of staff approve of CEO Kim Jin Woo, and just 3% see growth potential in the company.

ONEUS | RBW

11. Pledis Entertainment

Pledis Entertainment (which is home to groups like NU’EST and SEVENTEEN) received an overall rating of 1.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Pledis Entertainment is ₩22.8 million KRW (about $20,100 USD)—the lowest on this list.

SEVENTEEN | Pledis Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Pledis Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 22% of staff approve of CEO Han Sung Soo, and 15% see growth potential in the company.

NU’EST | Pledis Entertainment

10. Woollim Entertainment

Woollim Entertainment (which is home to groups like Golden Child, Rocket Punch, and DRIPPIN) received an overall rating of 1.7 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Woollim Entertainment is ₩28.8 million KRW (about $25,400 USD).

DRIPPIN | Woollim Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, welfare and salary were rated the best part of working at Woollim Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 37% of staff approve of CEO Lee Joong Yeop, and 16% see growth potential in the company.

Rocket Punch | Woollim Entertainment

9. FNC Entertainment

FNC Entertainment (which is home to groups like Cherry Bullet, SF9, and P1Harmony) received an overall rating of 2.0 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at FNC Entertainment is ₩28.7 million KRW (about $25,300 USD).

Cherry Bullet | FNC Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at FNC Entertainment, while work-life balance and management are considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 25% of staff approve of CEOs Ahn Seok Joon and Han Seung Hoon, and just 3% see growth potential in the company.

SF9 | FNC Entertainment

8. Cube Entertainment

Entertainment (which is home to groups like (G)I-DLE, PENTAGON, and CLC) received an overall rating of 2.0 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Cube Entertainment is ₩25.7 million KRW (about $22,700 USD).

PENTAGON | Cube Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Cube Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 10% of staff approve of CEOs Ahn Woo Hyung and Lee Dong Kwan, and 8% see growth potential in the company.

(G)I-DLE | Cube Entertainment

7. Yuehua Entertainment

Yuehua Entertainment (which is home to groups like WJSN, which is co-managed with Starship Entertainment, and EVERGLOW) received an overall rating of 2.2 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Yuehua Entertainment is ₩27.0 million KRW (about $23,800 USD).

WJSN | Yuehua Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Yuehua Entertainment, while management is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, Just 9% of staff approve of CEO Du Hua, but 42% do see growth potential in the company.

EVERGLOW | Yuehua Entertainment

6. YG Entertainment

YG Entertainment (which is home to groups like BLACKPINK, TREASURE, and iKON) received an overall rating of 2.3 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at YG Entertainment is ₩31.8 million KRW (about $28,100 USD).

BLACKPINK | YG Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at YG Entertainment, while management is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 25% of staff approve of CEO Hwang Bo Kyung, and 19% see growth potential in the company.

TREASURE | YG Entertainment

5. Fantagio

Fantagio (which is home to ASTRO and Weki Meki) received an overall rating of 2.3 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Fantagio is ₩24.2 million KRW (about $21,400 USD).

ASTRO | Fantagio

Of all the company’s facets, company culture was rated the best part of working at Fantagio, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 20% of staff approve of CEO Park Jong Jin and Shin Young Jin, and 9% see growth potential in the company.

Weki Meki | Fantagio

4. SM Entertainment

SM Entertainment (which is home to groups like Red Velvet, NCT, and aespa) received an overall rating of 2.4 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at SM Entertainment is ₩41.1 million KRW (about $36,300 USD)—the highest on this list.

NCT Dream | SM Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, company culture was rated the best part of working at SM Entertainment, while salary and work-life balance are considered the worst parts of the job. In addition, 39% of staff approve of CEO Lee Sung Soo, and 19% see growth potential in the company.

Aespa | SM Entertainment

3. HYBE

HYBE (which is home to BTS and TXT) received an overall rating of 2.4 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at HYBE is ₩30.9 million KRW (about $27,300 USD).

BTS | HYBE

Of all the company’s facets, welfare and salary were rated the best part of working at HYBE, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 53% of staff approve of CEO Bang Si Hyuk, and 35% see growth potential in the company.

TXT | HYBE

2. JYP Entertainment

JYP Entertainment (which is home to groups like ITZY, Stray Kids, and TWICE) received an overall rating of 2.5 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at JYP Entertainment is ₩34.8 million KRW (about $30,700 USD).

TWICE | JYP Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at JYP Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 55% of staff approve of CEO Jung Wook, and 13% see growth potential in the company.

ITZY | JYP Entertainment

1. Starship Entertainment

Starship Entertainment (which is home to groups like WJSN, MONSTA X, and CRAVITY) received an overall rating of 2.9 out of 5 from its employees. The average annual salary at Starship Entertainment is ₩27.0 million KRW (about $23,800 USD).

MONSTA X | Starship Entertainment

Of all the company’s facets, promotion opportunities were rated the best part of working at Starship Entertainment, while work-life balance is considered the worst part of the job. In addition, 68% of staff approve of CEO Kim Shi Dae, and 27% see growth potential in the company.

CRAVITY | Starship Entertainment
Source: Job Planet