HYBE JAPAN Appoints Michi Iijima as "J-POP Executive Producer" to Drive Unique Artist Development and Further Advance the J-POP Domain in the Japanese Market

HYBE JAPAN Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Michi Iijima (Representative Director, CULEN Inc.), who has produced numerous national artists and created historically significant content in the Japanese entertainment industry, as the new "J-POP Executive Producer." This appointment aims to further develop local IPs in the J-POP domain and promote strategic initiatives.

While continuing her management and production duties at CULEN Inc., Iijima will leverage her expertise across video, film, and television media, combined with HYBE JAPAN's business foundation, to create new entertainment originating from Japan.

HYBE JAPAN has been promoting a "multi-home, multi-genre" strategy, based on HYBE's growth strategy "HYBE 2.0," to develop businesses tailored to the culture and characteristics of the Japanese market. Ms. Iijima's appointment is a crucial step in this strategy, focusing on creating and nurturing new J-POP IPs rooted in Japan's unique culture.

Ms. Iijima's "multi-produce ability to captivate the masses" and "strong content creation know-how across video, film, and television media," cultivated over her career, will be fused with HYBE JAPAN's global-standard artist development system and the platform technology boasted by the HYBE group. This will accelerate the development of next-generation J-POP artists who leverage Japan's unique culture and stories, delivering entertainment content from Japan to as many people as possible.

With the participation of Ms. Iijima, a pioneer in establishing the "multi-talent model" in J-POP, HYBE JAPAN will elevate its new IP development speed and strategic synergy in media expansion, including video productions, to unprecedented levels. Please look forward to the chemical reaction that will occur between our global network and Ms. Iijima's overwhelming production power.

Michi Iijima's Comment

"I am honored to take on the role of J-POP Executive Producer at HYBE JAPAN and contribute to the creation of new entertainment originating from Japan.

Throughout my career, I have focused on creating content that spans music, video, film, and television media, while valuing the individuality and human charm of each artist.

At this time of great change, I am convinced that the future lies with fandom.

With gratitude to all the fans I have encountered through my work, I will dedicate myself to the fusion of fandom and entertainment. I will also continue my activities at CULEN, utilizing the experience and knowledge gained there, and together with the HYBE JAPAN team, I aim to further expand the possibilities of Japanese entertainment.

I am committed to ensuring that artists and content born in Japan are loved by many and remain in their memories for a long time."

HYBE JAPAN Director & Chairman, Kim Young-min's Comment

"We are truly delighted and encouraged to welcome Michi Iijima to our team. She possesses rare achievements and deep insight in the Japanese entertainment world, and above all, a profound love for artists. We are confident that the synergy between Ms. Iijima's exceptional production capabilities and our global infrastructure will bring a new wave to the Japanese music scene and deliver wonderful projects that fans will love."

【About HYBE JAPAN】

HYBE JAPAN is the Japanese headquarters of HYBE, a world-leading entertainment lifestyle platform company. It provides a wide range of solutions for artists under HYBE MUSIC GROUP labels and other labels, including strategy and marketing in the Japanese market, record distribution, performances, original content, product planning, production, sales, and licensing. It optimizes and provides global content services deployed by HYBE 360 and HYBE IPX in Korea for the Japanese market, while also planning and developing content and services based on unique Japanese design and marketing, promoting the "glocalization" of its business. Its subsidiary labels include YX LABELS and JCONIC.