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IMMERSE (이머스) is a South Korean music label and agency founded in April 2020 by Kim Yejoon. In April 2025, the company was acquired by ANCORE MEDIA as a subsidiary.
History[]
Kim Yejoon, a notable record executive, announced in 2019 that he was establishing his own entertainment company. Art director Nam Junghwa would later join his plans in late 2019, forming the label IMMERSE in April 2020 after trademarks were registered. It was announced that Nam Junghwa will be the company's creative director and CEO, with Kim Yejoon overseeing as the executive chairman.
In May 2021, IMMERSE announced that they were recruiting trainees to form their first ever idol group, with their aim to include multi-national members to expand K-pop further into the international market. They held global auditions within the summer of 2021.[1] A notable trainee under IMMERSE was Yeon Sungho, who gained traction on social media as an "all-rounder" and was anticipated to be in IMMERSE's first idol group until his departure in 2022.[2]
In January 2022, IMMERSE confirmed reports that they had intentions to form their first boy group, projected to debut between late 2022 and early 2023.[3] CEO Nam Junghwa was announced to oversee the project as the creative director and tentative developer. In-house producer Moon Hanbin, professionally known as WHO, was also announced to serve as a director in the group's musicality and sound. Trainee Son Jaehyun, formerly of All In Entertainment, was rumored to be in the group's line-up, followed by notable underground rapper Lee Minjun.[4]
It was confirmed by the label on December 1, 2022 that Son Jaehyun and Lee Minjun would be debuting in their upcoming boy group and had signed exclusive contracts.[5] On January 25, 2023, the group's name was revealed as LIGHTERS, alongside a pre-debut project that lasted until the group made their debut on April 17, 2023.[6][7]
In April 2025, IMMERSE was announced to have been acquired by media company ANCORE MEDIA, therefore becoming a subsidiary. Following this, chairman and founder Kim Yejoon stepped down on April 24.[8] ANCORE MEDIA would go on to also become the parent company of Hwarang Entertainment.
Artists[]
Groups[]
Composers[]
- WHO
- Son Jaehyun
- Lee Minjun
- Nam Junghwa
- Park Sunhee
- Han Minji
Songwriters[]
- Son Jaehyun
- Lee Minjun
- Nam Junghwa
- WHO
- Park Sunhee
- Han Minji
Producers[]
- WHO
- Nam Junghwa
Actors[]
Former artists[]
- PENNY (2022–2024)
Former trainees[]
- Yeon Sungho (2021–2022)
References[]
- ↑ Herald Pop: Kim Yejoon, Nam Junghwa Label IMMERSE to Debut Idol Group (July 15, 2021)
- ↑ StarNews: IMMERSE All-Rounder Trainee Yoon Seonho Departs From Agency (July 6, 2022)
- ↑ StarNews: IMMERSE Confirms Their Plans To Debut Their First Boy Group (January 24, 2022)
- ↑ StarNews: Lee Minjun, Son Jaehyun In Line-Up For IMMERSE's First Boy Group (July 14, 2022)
- ↑ StarNews: Son Jaehyun, Lee Minjun Confirmed To Join IMMERSE's Upcoming Boy Group (December 1, 2022)
- ↑ Daily News KR: IMMERSE's Boy Group LIGHTERS to Showcase A Pre-Debut Project (January 26, 2023)
- ↑ StarNews: IMMERSE's First Boy Group LIGHTERS Announces Debut Date (March 16, 2023)
- ↑ Naver: LIGHTERS Label IMMERSE Acquired by ANCORE MEDIA, Kim Yejoon Steps Down (April 24, 2025)