More information on 4minute
Looks like Universal is trying to cash in with the success of JYPE’s Wonder Girls in the United States!
U.S. label Universal Music Group signed an agreement with local talent management agency Play Cube Entertainment on Monday that will bridge artists such as 4Minute to overseas markets.
Through establishing a network with the American music label, music from artists signed under Play Cube Entertainment will be licensed and distributed under the Universal Music banner in the Asia-Pacific region with the option of getting doled out to other overseas markets.
Max Hole, the president of the Asia-Pacific region of the North American record giant, was on hand for the signing alongside the CEO tandem of Play Cube Entertainment’s Hong Seung-sung and Shin Jung-wha.
Hong, the former CEO of Park Jin-young’s JYP Entertainment, is widely regarded as the instrumental figure in orchestrating Rain’s and the Wonder Girls’ overseas debut.
“This affiliation will bring a new start to the Korean pop industry and I’m anticipating our artists will succeed in overseas markets,” Hong said.
Regarding the signing, Max Hole expressed his enthusiasm for establishing a strategic headway into the Korean pop market and the opportunity to introduce local artists to oversea markets using “Universal’s vast marketing network.”
Yang Beom-joon, the president of Universal Korea, was also on hand and added, “We are confident Korean pop artists will be loved by fans from all over and that we will bring out more internationally recognized local artists in the future.”
The inaugural release from this agreement will be a special package album titled “For Muzik” by popular girl band 4Minute which will be distributed to eight nations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The signing was also attended by 4Minute and emerging boy band Beast.
More information on 4minute
4minute consists of five members – Ji Hyun, Ga Yoon, Ji Yoon, Hyun A, and So Hyun. (The girls are going solely by their first names.)
Nam Ji Hyun, 19, is the group leader. She is majoring in ballet at Sangmyung University’s Dance program but took a leave for 4minute’s debut.
Ha Ga Yoon, 19, has been preparing for her debut upon graduating from a girls’ high school. She previously starred in R&B singer Mario’s music video.
Jun Ji Yoon, 19, graduated from high school and has been preparing for this debut ever since. Her hobbies are writing songs and cooking.
Kim Hyun A, 17, was formerly a member of Wonder Girls, before quitting in July 2007 due to health reasons. (She was replaced by Yubin.) After recovering her health, Hyun A switched over from JYP to Cube Entertainment to fulfill her dreams of a singing career. She appeared in AJ’s music video for “Dancing Shoes” earlier this year. Hyun A is the rapper of 4minute.
Kwon So Hyun, 14 going on 15, is the baby of the group. She has received vocal training since childhood; even debuting in a young girls’ group called Orange at the age of 11. The group released a single album together in October 2005. Despite her early debut, she is very smart and maintains top grades in school, ranking first or second in her classes. So Hyun is currently in her third year of middle school (equivalent to ninth grade in North America).