Nam So-young to lead a two-center management system focused on artist-specific growth

WakeOne, CJ ENM’s unit overseeing K-POP artist operations, has appointed Nam So-young, a global K-POP business expert, as its new chief executive, with plans to build production environments and systems tailored to artists’ characteristics to strengthen management capabilities. The company will reorganize its structure under Nam’s leadership into a two-center model designed to precision-support each artist’s individuality and growth trajectory.

Nam is a leading figure in the entertainment industry who has led domestic and international artist management and driven overseas market expansion. Nam began with the establishment of SM JAPAN, led SM artist management for many years, and later served as an executive at SM Entertainment.

As a former manager, Nam is regarded as a pioneering first-generation female leader who has successfully steered many artists onto global stages and significantly propelled K-pop’s globalization. Nam has broad experience across core entertainment areas including artist management, global strategy, and content production, demonstrating a multi-faceted leadership.

Center 1 will oversee the fifth-generation top-tier boy group ZEROBASEONE and global rookie IZNA, actively supporting their domestic and international activities. Center 2 will focus on ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1), the debut and growth of the large rookie group formed through Mnet’s Boys Planet. ZEROBASEONE, which debuted in 2023 through Boys Planet, is said to have a contract expiration around year-end or early next year. The company also plans to establish professional labels for solo artists such as Kim Feel, Ha Hyun-sang, Jo Yuri, and Kim Jae-hwan, and to push for new artist development. WakeOne stated that Nam’s leadership would maximize each artist’s creativity and potential and would elevate WakeOne’s global competitiveness with a sophisticated strategy.