Several Korean K-pop executives, including HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and Kakao Entertainment Co-CEO Jang Yoon-jung, have been named to Billboard's 2026 Global Power Players list.
According to U.S. music publication Billboard on the 10th, Chairman Bang has been included on the Global Power Players list for the fifth time since 2018. Billboard's Global Power Players recognizes leaders driving the global music market outside the United States.
A total of six HYBE executives made the list: Chairman Bang, CEO Lee Jae-sang, COO Kim Tae-ho, HYBE 360 Business Head Oh Yu-jin, HYBE America Chairman and CEO Isaac Lee, and HYBE Japan CEO Han Hyun-rok. SM Entertainment's Co-CEOs Jang Chul-hyuk and Tak Young-jun, along with Chief Global Officer Choi Jung-min, were also included. Co-CEO Tak has appeared on the list for five consecutive years since 2022, while Co-CEO Jang has been included for three consecutive years since 2024. Kakao Entertainment's Co-CEO Jang was also named to the list. Having been selected five times since 2021, Co-CEO Jang was recognized for his contributions to expanding K-pop's global footprint. He is credited with expanding music intellectual property and fostering cross-border collaboration in the K-pop industry through partnerships with global entities. JYP Entertainment Founder and Chief Creative Officer Park Jin-young also made the list for the second time since 2014.
Meanwhile, Park Jin-young plans to step down from his position as inside director at JYP Entertainment. JYP announced on the 10th that Park will not seek reappointment as inside director at the shareholders' meeting scheduled for the 26th of this month. A JYP representative explained, "Park Jin-young plans to focus on his creative activities as an artist, nurturing junior artists, and new external endeavors for the K-pop industry."
