Dreamcatcher Company Explained

Dreamcatcher Company
Native Name:드림캐쳐 컴퍼니
Key People:Lee Joowon 이주원 (Chief Executive Officer)
Hwang Sooyeon 황수연 (Performance Director)
Subsid:HF Music Company
Former Name:Harvest Entertainment
(2008–2009)
Happyface Entertainment
(2009–2019)
Location City:Seoul
Location Country:South Korea
Locations:Sajin Building, Seolleung-ro 112gil 8, Gangnam-gu

Dreamcatcher Company is a South Korean entertainment company established in 2008.

History

2008–2010: Establishment, name change and mainstream breakthrough

The label was established on August 15, 2008, as Harvest Entertainment (풍년 엔터테인먼트) by Lee Joowon.[1] The label changed their name to Happyface Entertainment (해피페이스 엔터테인먼트) on January 23, 2009.[2]

Rap-pop duo One Two (previously established in 2003), signed a contract with Happyface Entertainment in early 2009. The duo released "Starry Night", "Bad Girl (ft. Seo In-young), "Walala Lalale", and "Very Good" before their disbandment in late 2010.[3]

The agency briefly worked with HybRefine and Sanchez, now known as Phantom, in 2010 to produce the singles "You Can Fly", "Cosmic Dance", "Rain U", and "Sanchez-San Toi".[4]

2011–2015: Debuting artist, joint venture and development

Following the success of E-Tribe's productions, the label made the decision to debut their first idol girl group, Dal Shabet.[5]

On May 4, 2011, it was announced that Happyface Entertainment would be merging with Y-WHO Enterprise, a small entertainment agency founded by ex-4men member, and current Vibe member, Yoon Min-soo.[6] With the merger, Y-WHO Enterprise artists 4men, Bebe Mignon and MIIII officially became label-mates of Nassun and Dal Shabet.

In mid-2012, it was revealed that Bebe Mignon members Haegeum and Park Ga-Eul had left Happyface Entertainment, effectively disbanding the group. Member Ben has since been re-debuted by the agency as a solo artist.

Actress Yeon Mi-Ju of the hit television series Lovers signed an exclusive contract with Happyface Entertainment on May 21, 2014.[7]

On July 31, 2014, famous breakdancer and recording artist Nam Hyun-joon and his wife Park Aeri joined the company.[8]

In September 2014, Happyface Entertainment debuted MINX, its first girl group since Dal Shabet three years prior.[9]

In 2015, returning vocal group V.O.S. signed with Happyface for their comeback.

2017–present: Dreamcatcher, sub-labels and second name change

In January 2017, Happyface Entertainment re-formed MINX to be a seven-member girl group as Dreamcatcher.[10]

Happyface Entertainment launched their first sub-label, HF Music Company.

On January 31, 2017, Kpop Star 5 contestant Lee Si-eun signed an exclusive contract with HF Music Company.[11]

In August 2017, the label debuted trio Classmate.[12] [13]

In December 2017, Dal Shabet members Serri, Subin and Ah Young parted ways with the company following the expiration of their contracts. The group, however, was said to not be disbanded, and future activities of the four-member group remains to be discussed.[14]

In June 2018, Woo Jin-young finished first place on Mixnine. The company filed a lawsuit against YG following the cancellation of the group that was set to debut.[15] [16] [17]

On February 13, 2019, Happyface Entertainment announced they will rename to Dreamcatcher Company.[18]

In March 2019, following announcement of D1CE's debut, a sub-label named D1CE Company (Korean: 디원스컴퍼니) was set up.[19]

In November 2022, all seven members of Dreamcatcher renewed their contracts early, before the end of their existing contracts.[20]

In January 2023, D1CE disbanded after 3 years and 5 months.[21]

Artists

Recording artists

Dreamcatcher Company

Groups

Soloists

HF Music Company

Groups

Soloists

Producers

Singer-songwriters

Actors

Former artists

Recording artists

Producers

Actors

Notes and References

  1. Web site: J-팝으로 10억 번 男, 이젠 K-팝 이끈다. Maeil Business Newspaper. ko. Lee Hyun-woo. July 25, 2012. March 25, 2021. November 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108194322/https://mk.co.kr/star/musics/view/2012/07/461895/. live.
  2. Web site: 이주원 대표 "우희 강점은 외모..솔로 활동 했으면"(인터뷰②)[스타메이커]]. MT Star News. ko. Yoon Sang-geun. September 26, 2018. March 25, 2021. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133338/https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2018092015190969941. live.
  3. http://music.naver.com/artist/home.nhn?artistId=8648 원투(One Two) Discography on Naver Music
  4. Web site: 일렉트로닉 그룹 하이브리파인, 오늘(17일) 정규1집 앨범발매. Newsen. ko. Lee Eon-hyuk. August 17, 2010. March 25, 2021. February 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190214174325/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201008171259421002. live.
  5. Web site: 이트라이브 키우는 걸그룹 달샤벳 최초공개 '소시 인기 재현할까?'. Newsen. ko. Lee Eon-hyuk. December 10, 2010. March 25, 2021. September 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926024316/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201012100808451002&code=100200. live.
  6. Web site: 포맨·베베미뇽, 달샤벳과 한솥밥…소속사 전략적 합병. E-daily. ko. Kim Eun-Koo. May 4, 2011. March 25, 2021. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133344/https://news.nate.com/view/20110504n05679. live.
  7. Web site: 연미주, 포맨-달샤벳과 한솥밥. News1. ko. Park Geon-wook. May 21, 2014. March 25, 2021. February 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190214061311/http://news1.kr/articles/1685540. live.
  8. Web site: 팝핀현준·박애리 부부, 달샤벳 소속사와 전속계약. OhmyNews. ko. Lee Eon-hyuk. July 31, 2014. March 25, 2021. August 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812193651/http://star.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/OhmyStar/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002019000. live.
  9. Web site: 달샤벳 여동생 그룹 밍스 공개, 5인 5색 깜찍 발랄 걸그룹. TenAsia. ko. Choi Jin-sil. September 15, 2014. March 25, 2021. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133327/https://tenasia.hankyung.com/topic/article/2014091574524. live.
  10. Web site: Dream Catcher K-Pop Debut: Happyface Entertainment Girl Group MINX To Re-Debut With New Name And Seven Members In 2017 . 2022-12-31 . news.yahoo.com . en-US.
  11. Web site: 'K팝스타5' 이시은, HF뮤직컴퍼니 계약…2월 데뷔. Joy News 24. ko. Jeong Byeong-geun. January 31, 2017. February 18, 2019. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133344/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=111&aid=0000477189. live.
  12. Web site: '너목보'와 '듀엣가요제'의 만남…차세대 보컬그룹 동급생 데뷔. Korea Economic TV. ko. Yoo Byung-cheol. August 22, 2017. March 25, 2021. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133344/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=215&aid=0000569293. live.
  13. Web site: [공식입장] '너목보X듀엣가요제'…3인조 보컬그룹 '동급생' 25일 데뷔]. Osen. ko. Jung Ji-won. August 22, 2017. March 25, 2021. February 19, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190219020156/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003602396. live.
  14. Web site: [공식]달샤벳 세리·아영·수빈 소속사 떠난다…"그룹 해체는 아냐"]. Sports Chosun. ko. Lee Ji-Hyun. December 14, 2017. February 25, 2019. February 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103027/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003192375. live.
  15. Web site: [공식입장 전문] YG측 "'믹스나인' 데뷔 무산, 6곳 기획사와 협의 끝 결정..죄송"]. Osen. ko. Choi Na-young. May 3, 2018. February 25, 2019. April 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190424151234/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=109&aid=0003774151. live.
  16. Web site: [단독]YG 갑질 논란 법정까지…'믹스나인' 가수 데뷔 무산 소송]. Newsis. ko. Kim Hyun-seop. June 26, 2018. March 25, 2021. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133327/https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&oid=003&aid=0008673671&sid1=001. live.
  17. Web site: [단독]YG 갑질 논란 법정까지…'믹스나인' 가수 데뷔 무산 소송]. Maeil Business Newspaper. ko. Lee Da-gyeom. June 26, 2018. February 25, 2019. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133328/https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&oid=003&aid=0008673671&sid1=001. live.
  18. Web site: 드림캐쳐 지유 "소속사 이름, 해피페이스→드림캐쳐 컴퍼니로 변경". MT Star News. ko. Lee Jung-ho. February 13, 2019. February 18, 2019. March 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210324120533/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002761004. live.
  19. Web site: HNB→D1CE ... '우진영 보이그룹', 데뷔명 디원스 확정. HNB→D1CE ... 'Woo Jinyoung Boy Group', Debut Name Confirmed. Naver. News1. ko. Kim Min-ji. March 28, 2019. August 26, 2021.
  20. Web site: 드림캐쳐, 現 소속사와 계약기간 만료 전 전원 재계약 “신뢰”. Naver News.
  21. Web site: '전원 오디션 출신' 디원스, 전속계약 만료…새로운 꿈 원해 [전문]]. January 20, 2023. m.mydaily.co.kr.
  22. Web site: 달샤벳 前멤버 비키, 소속사와 결별 '홀로서기'. Maeil Business Newspaper. ko. Lee Hyun-woo. March 8, 2013. April 25, 2013. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133332/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0002906544. live.
  23. Web site: 포맨 김영재, 연예계 종사자에 사기 혐의로 피소. Yonhap News Agency. ko. Lee Eun-jung. April 14, 2014. March 25, 2021. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133329/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0006860761. live.
  24. Web site: J-팝으로 10억 번 男, 이젠 K-팝 이끈다. Maeil Business Newspaper. ko. Lee Hyun-woo. July 25, 2012. March 25, 2021. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133347/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0002772920. live.