RBW (company) explained

RBW Inc.
Native Name:(주)알비더블유
Native Name Lang:ko
Type:Public
Founder:Kim Jin-woo
Industry:Music
Revenue: 37.2 billion (2020)
Operating Income: 7.6 billion (2020)
Owner: (as of September 2023)[1] [2]
Num Employees:101 (as of 2024)[3]
Subsid:See below
Homepage:
Foundation:
(as Rainbowbridge Agency)

(as RBW)
Location City:Seoul
Location Country:South Korea

RBW (; an acronym for Rainbow Bridge World) is a South Korean entertainment company founded by Kim Jin-woo (Korean: 김진우) and Kim Do-hoon (Korean: 김도훈).[4] [5] The company has multiple subsidiaries, including DSP Media, WM Entertainment, Urban Works Media, and the IP management company Contents X.[6]

One of the leading entertainment companies in South Korea, RBW operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management company, concert production company, and music publishing house. In addition, the company operates various subsidiary ventures and divisions worldwide.[7] [8]

Including all its subsidiary labels, RBW is home to many notable artists under the agency such as the groups Mamamoo, KARA, B1A4, Oh My Girl, KARD, ONF, Oneus, Onewe, Purple Kiss, Young Posse and the soloist Chaeyeon.

History

2010–2014: Early Formation and Debut of Mamamoo

Kim Jin-woo originally was the representative director of Cube Entertainment's Music Cube. Kim Jin-woo was in charge of the practice room rental business and then expanded his business with opening AN Bridge, Rainbow Bridge Academy and ENB Academy Practical Music Academy, which integrated under the name Modern & Bridge. On March 5, 2010, he later established the first OEM company, Rainbow Bridge Agency, which operates to train students who are not trainees with similar process as the regular entertainment company, such as vocal, dance, acting, language, etc.

In August 2011, Hwang Sung-jin (former Music Cube producer) and Kim Do-hoon (former Music Cube director) joined Kim Jin-woo's Modern & Bridge and took representative and director positions.

In March 2012, Kim Do-hoon joined corporation with Rainbow Bridge Agency's established music label, WA Entertainment. On August 16, WA Entertainment along with Brand New Music debuted Hip hop trio Phantom.[9] In December 2012, Hip hop duo Geeks signed with WA Entertainment.[10] [11]

On June 18, 2014, WA Entertainment debuted its first girl group Mamamoo.[12] They would go on to become the label's first successful artist and most profitable group. Beyond achieving commercial success both domestically and overseas as a group, all four members of Mamamoo have established themselves as solo artists in the K-pop industry.[13] In August, WA Entertainment debuted composer Esna as a solo singer.[14] In September 2014, WA Entertainment along with TSN Entertainment debuted brother duo OBROJECT.[15]

2015–2020: Merger into RBW, Subsidiaries & Debut of Oneus and Onewe

In March 2015, WA Entertainment merged with Rainbow Bridge Agency to create an independent label RBW (acronym for Rainbow Bridge World).[16] In September 2015, Yangpa signed with RBW.[17] In December 2015, rapper Basick and Big Tray signed with RBW.[18]

In June 2016, Monday Kiz signed with RBW.[19] On July 12, 2016, RBW debuted vocal group Vromance.[20]

On June 9, 2017, RBW confirmed that rock band M.A.S 0094 joined the label, as well as the changing of the band name to MAS (acronym for Make A Sound).[21]

In May 2018, Jinju, the winner of Vietnam's Hidden Singer joined RBW as its first artist in Vietnam.[22] In February 2020, RBW Vietnam debuted D1verse, the first Vietnamese musical group under a Korean label.[23]

On January 9, 2019, RBW debuted the six-member boy group Oneus.[24] On May 13, boy band MAS made its re-debut as Onewe.[25] Onewe and Oneus are considered to be brother groups, and share a history of collaborations, including a pre-debut single "Last Song" featuring all eleven members together. They also share real twin brothers, one in each group; Xion (the youngest in Oneus) and Dongmyeong (the keyboardist and lead vocal in Onewe).

2021–2022: Public Listing, Acquisitions & Wheein's Departure

On March 15, 2021, RBW debuted the 7-member girl group Purple Kiss.[26] On April 7, it was announced that RBW purchased the 70% shares of WM Entertainment, which houses idol groups such as B1A4 and Oh My Girl. They will be merged into RBW as a subsidiary.[27] On June 11, RBW issued a statement confirming that Wheein would not renew her exclusive contract with the agency, although she will continue to promote with Mamamoo for group activities as she has signed an expanded agreement to participate in some activities, including albums and concerts, until December 2023.[28] On November 22, RBW began public offering on KOSDAQ.[29] On January 26, 2022, it was announced that RBW purchased the 39.1% shares of DSP Media, which houses idol groups such as Kard and Mirae. They will be merged into RBW as a subsidiary. Kim Jin-woo, founder and CEO of RBW, has also become a CEO of DSP Media.[30] On December 14, it was announced that DSP Media has merged with Goodfellas Entertainment on December 1, obtaining all exclusive rights to Goodfellas' artists and intellectual property.[31] On September 19, 2022, it was announced that Kara would be releasing an album under RBW to commemorate the 15th anniversary of their debut in November, with Nicole and Jiyoung rejoining the group. The group was originally formed by DSP Media, which RBW had acquired earlier in the year. Their extended play, titled Move Again, was released on November 29, with its first reveal taking place at the 2022 MAMA Awards in Japan.[32] On December 29, it was announced that RBW acquired 50 percent of Urban Works Media for ₩10 billion ($7.88 million) to become the largest shareholder of the label. The deal was signed on January 2, 2023, and the payment will be made in full by the first half of 2023.[33]

2023–present: Recent developments

On June 1, 2023, it was announced that DSP will be taking over the actor management business of Jikim Entertainment and Urban Works Media, Jikim's former CEO Kim Jin-il will be leading the actor's department at DSP.[34]

RBW took over music production for soloist Lee Chae-yeon's second extended play, Over the Moon which was released on April 12, 2023.[35] Though reception was initially lukewarm, the album's lead single "Knock" became a sleeper hit thanks to its popularity in TikTok challenges and peaked at 25 on Melon's real-time Top 100 Chart.[36] In June 2023, it was reported that Contents X, a subsidiary established by RBW in 2019, was responsible for the global marketing for the unexpected hit song "Cupid" by South Korean girl group Fifty Fifty which went viral worldwide and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.[37] Described as a "comprehensive content IP business solution company", Contents X recently attracted a total of ₩13 billion in funding from leading investors including the Industrial Bank of Korea. In line with the growth of K-pop, it has established a global comprehensive marketing system that encompasses digital platforms, outdoor media, and media PR at home and abroad, and is already collaborating with dozens of leading entertainment companies in Korea to grow its presence in the industry.[38] It was later revealed in RBW's 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders Report that Contents X is handling the marketing for several other leading K-pop groups from different labels such as (G)I-DLE, STAYC and BoyNextDoor.

On July 16, 2023, RBW held its first large-scale family concert titled RBW 2023 SUMMER FESTIVAL: Over the Rainbow which featured various artists from their roster including Mamamoo+, B1A4, Oh My Girl, ONF, Oneus, Chaeyeon and many more. Held at a sold-out SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Olympic Park, Seoul, the four-hour concert encompassed a wide range of hit songs from each artist as well as special collaboration stages. A Japanese edition of RBW 2023 SUMMER FESTIVAL: Over the Rainbow is scheduled to take place over two days at the Tokyo Garden Theater from August 19–20, the following month.[39]

Subsidiaries

Sub-labels

Cloud R

On May 27, 2016, RBW joint cooperation with Lee Seong-yeon established the independent sub-label.[40] [41] It was house to M.A.S 0094, a 5-member rock band managed by Modern Music. Its management was transferred to RBW in 2017 and they redebuted as Onewe in 2019 under the main label.

All Right Music

All Right Music is an independent Hip hop label headed by rapper Basick and RBW producer Im Sang-hyuk.[42] Established in March 2017, the label was set up by RBW to focus on the hip hop scene. It was introduced their first artist: Big Tray, Marvel J and B.O.[43]

RBW Vietnam

In 2016, RBW established a sub agency in Vietnam, joint-ventured with Naver, for future auditions and artist development in the region. The label introduced its first artist Jin Ju, a Korean student who won on the Vietnamese singing competition program Masked Singer, in 2018 with her debut single "Petal", released in both Korean and Vietnamese.

RBW launched the Vietnamese boy band D1Verse in February 2020. The group was formed by an all-Vietnamese cast and it was the first vocal group in Vietnam to be produced and managed by a K-pop label.

RBW Japan

In 2017, RBW established a sub agency in Japan for future auditions and artist development in the region. RBW announced Mamamoo's Japan debut in October 2018, working with local label Victor Entertainment as its music distributor, followed by Oneus and Onewe in 2019, distributed by Kiss Entertainment and Gem records respectively.

In 2023, the agency started to represent non-exclusive Korean artists for their Japan activities. I.e. CSR, actor Gong Yoo and Joo Won. In the same year, the agency obtained a 9-story property in Shinjuku, Tokyo as the new office.

Modern RBW

RBW producer Kim Hyunkyu and Modern K Music Academy combined to form a new sub-label "Modern RBW" which aims to promote aspiring artists to try get recognised with a projects series release of singles.[44]

WM Entertainment

On April 7, 2021, RBW announced that they have acquired WM Entertainment, the agency of groups Oh My Girl, B1A4, ONF and soloist Lee Chae-yeon. The two companies aim to work on creating synergy through close cooperation. With this acquisition, WM Entertainment will operate as an independent label of RBW and maintain its current management.

DSP Media

In January 2022, RBW announced that they have acquired the management rights of DSP Media, the agency of groups Kard and Mirae. The two companies aim to work on creating synergy through close cooperation. With this acquisition, DSP Media will operate as an independent label of RBW and maintain its current management.

In December 2022, DSP Media announced that they have merged with Goodfellas Entertainment. All exclusive artists under Goodfellas will be transferred to DSP and the CEO will be joining the label as the executive producer.

In June 2023, DSP Media announced that they are taking over the actor management business of Jikim Entertainment and Urban Works Media, Jikim's former CEO Kim Jin-il will be leading the actor's department at DSP.

Urban Works Media

On December 29, 2022, RBW announced that they acquired 50 percent of Urban Works for ₩10 billion ($7.88 million) to become the largest shareholder of the label. The deal was signed on January 2, 2023, and the payment will be made in full by the first half of 2023.[33]

In June 2023, it was announced that DSP Media will be taking over the management of Urban Works' artists.[34]

Exclusive artists

RBW[45]

Groups

Duos

Soloists

WM Entertainment

Groups

Soloists

DSP Media[48]

Groups

Duos

Soloists

Actors

Studio artists

RBW

Session musicians

Record producers & songwriters[51]

DSP Media

Awards

2011

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Former artists

RBW

Co-managed

All Right Music

Cloud R

RBW Vietnam

Producers

DSP Media

WM Entertainment

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 마마무 소속 RBW, 265억 유증...김진우 지배력 강화. 2022-08-01. dealsite.co.kr. August 2022 . ko.
  2. Web site: RBW/증권신고서(지분증권). dart.fss.or.kr . 2021-10-16 . ko . 2021-10-14.
  3. Web site: (주)알비더블유.
  4. Web site: Choi . Ji-won . 2022-12-19 . [Herald Interview] Building the team behind a K-pop superstar, CEO Kim Jin-woo of Mamamoo's label RBW gives behind-the-scenes info ]. 2023-07-23 . The Korea Herald . en.
  5. Web site: 2021-06-02 . Major Korean record labels form committee to deal with OTT issue . 2023-07-23 . Korea JoongAng Daily . en.
  6. Web site: 2021-04-14 . K-pop industry growing in power as BTS, Mamamoo labels agree new deals . 2023-07-23 . South China Morning Post . en.
  7. Web site: 2018-10-01 . RBW Company Introduction . RBW.
  8. Web site: RBW . 2023년 기업설명회(IR) 자료 게시 . RBW's 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders Report . 2023-07-23 . ko-KR.
  9. Web site: 작곡가 김도훈, 힙합트리오 론칭...'팬텀'. entertain.naver.com.
  10. Web site: 긱스, 작곡가 김도훈이 설립한 WA엔터와 계약...팬텀과 한솥밥. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092304/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000081353. live.
  11. Web site: Hip-Hop Duo Geeks Signs Contract with Kim Do Hoon. 18 December 2012. KpopStarz. 25 June 2018. 25 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180625050613/https://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/18400/20121218/hip-hop-duo-geeks-signs-contract-with-kim-do-hoon.htm. live.
  12. Web site: '화제의 신예' 마마무, 오늘(19일) '엠카'로 데뷔 신고식. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092305/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=404&aid=0000070682. live.
  13. Web site: Belmis . Victoria Marian . 2021-04-22 . RBW Queens! MAMAMOO Makes History As Only K-Pop Group To Achieve This Milestone . 2023-07-23 . Korea Portal.
  14. Web site: '썸' 작곡가 에스나, '아이 아이 러브 유'로 가수 데뷔. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092314/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0000964840. live.
  15. Web site: 'K팝스타' 오태석-홍대언더힙합크루 윤닭, 오브로젝트 데뷔곡 공개. <ⓒ 엔터테인먼트 전문 미디어 "텐아시아"무단전재. 배포금지>. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092311/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&aid=0000046246. live.
  16. Web site: 레인보우브릿지에이전시, 마마무 소속사 WA엔터 흡수합병. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092327/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0001329707. live.
  17. Web site: 양파, RBW와 전속계약 체결... 마마무, 베이식과 한솥밥. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092316/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000406808. live.
  18. Web site: 베이식-빅트레이, RBW와 전속계약 체결 "왕성한 활동 지원하겠다". news.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092327/https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&oid=015&aid=0003404652&sid1=001. live.
  19. Web site: 먼데이키즈 이진성, RBW와 전속계약...양파·마마무 한솥밥. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092312/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000619524. live.
  20. Web site: 솔라, 에릭남도 질투할 '남사친' 브로맨스 향한 애틋 응원. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092313/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=057&aid=0000990680. live.
  21. Web site: 안녕하세요. RBW입니다.. m.cafe.daum.net. 2018-06-27. 2018-06-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180627090942/http://m.cafe.daum.net/makeasound0094/hKTG/73. live.
  22. Web site: Vietnam's "Hidden Singer" winner Jinju signs exclusive contract with RBW. xportsnews.com . 9 May 2018 . 2018-05-09 . ko.
  23. Web site: 2020-02-07. ko. Vietnamese idol group "D1Verse" officially debuted on the 27th, co-produced by RBW and Kakao M". m-i.kr.
  24. Web site: RBW's first boy group ONEUS confirms to officially debut on January 9th. osen.mt.co.kr . 20 December 2018 . 2018-12-20 . ko.
  25. Web site: RBW's first boy band ONEWE releasing debut single 'Reminisce About All' on May 13. www.newsen.com . 2019-04-12 . ko.
  26. Web site: RBW first girl group after Mamamoo, 'Purple Kiss' confirms debut on March 15 . newsen.com . 2021-03-02 . ko.
  27. Web site: RBW, 오마이걸 소속사 WM엔터 인수 'K콘텐츠 선도'. Paxnet News. ko. April 7, 2021. April 7, 2021. April 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210407072437/https://paxnetnews.com/articles/72698. live.
  28. Web site: Mamamo Wheein's contract terminated with RBW, but will continue group activities . OSEN . ko . 2021-06-30 . 2021-06-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210629173222/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=109&aid=0004422446&fbclid=IwAR3xX9KjnFC4YXNvu693a-84iZSO86JYGygZW18TQR6PBO-Tl5lmub7BXOQ .
  29. Web site: '마마무 소속사' 알비더블유, 상장 첫날 '따상' 터치 후 하락. 2021-11-22. news.naver. ko.
  30. Web site: Ryu. Seok. 2022-01-26. 마마무 소속사 'RBW' 젝키·핑클 배출한 DSP미디어 품는다 [시그널]]. 2022-01-26. Sedaily. ko.
  31. Web site: DSP Media merges ballad master Goodfellas, "in full-fledged cooperation with RBW" . 14 December 2022 . ko.
  32. Web site: Yoo . Hong . 2022-11-30 . Kara makes stunning full comeback at 2022 Mama Awards after seven years . 2023-07-23 . The Korea Herald . en.
  33. Web site: RBW to acquire half of Urban Works for 10 billion won. 29 December 2022.
  34. Web site: 박소영. '마마무 회사' RBW, 배우 사업 더 키웠다..DSP→지킴엔터 흡수 [공식]]. 2023-06-01. n.news.naver.com. ko.
  35. Web site: 2023-04-12 . Lee Chae-yeon, who added RBW color, entered the music charts with unique music 'Knock' [Comprehensive] ]. 2023-07-23 . SPOTV . EN.
  36. Web site: 2023-05-04 . It hit the music charts properly... Lee Chae-yeon, successfully stand alone with 'knock' [Focus S] ]. 2023-07-23 . SPOTV . EN.
  37. Web site: Lee . Ji-woon . [특징주] 알비더블유, '피프티 피프티' 빌보드 K팝 걸그룹 신기록... 글로벌 마케팅 대행 부각 ]. [Featured] RBW, 'Fifty Fifty' Billboard K-pop girl group record... Global Marketing Agency Emphasis . 2023-07-23 . n.news.naver.com . Naver . ko.
  38. Web site: 2023-05-23 . 콘텐츠 IP 솔루션 기업 콘텐츠엑스, 130억 규모 투자 유치 성공 . 2023-07-23 . 데일리안 . ko.
  39. Web site: 알비더블유, 전석 매진 속 첫 패밀리 콘서트 성료..무지갯빛 장관 . 2023-07-23 . n.news.naver.com . ko.
  40. Web site: 마마무 소속사 RBW, 레이블 '클라우드R' 설립... 아티스트 발굴 앞장. 31 May 2016. 마마무 소속사 RBW, 레이블 '클라우드R' 설립... 아티스트 발굴 앞장. 21 March 2019. 21 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190321123950/http://m.sportsworldi.com/newsView/20160531004334. live.
  41. Web site: 마마무 회사 RBW, 산하 레이블 클라우드R 설립. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092313/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000476556. live.
  42. Web site: RBW, 힙합 레이블 확장...베이식 전폭적 지원. entertain.naver.com. 2019-03-21. 2019-03-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20190321125506/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=215&aid=0000535816. live.
  43. Web site: RBW Forms New Hip Hop Label With Rapper Basick And Plans To Release Music With New Artists This Month. Soompi. 16 March 2017 . 2019-03-21. 2019-03-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20190321123954/https://www.soompi.com/article/961605wpp/mamamoos-agency-rbw-forms-hip-hop-label-rapper-basick. live.
  44. Web site: RBW 레이블 '모던 한 RBW', 첫 번째 프로젝트 싱글 '아저씨라떼' 발매. naver. 2020-06-08. 2021-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514092313/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004217120. live.
  45. Web site: RBW - Exclusive Artist . www.rbbridge.com.
  46. Web site: 히로토X황재민X박형근X강대현X이용준, 'RBW Trainee New ID' 결성...日 패밀리 콘서트 출격 . ko . 2023-07-20 .
  47. Web site: Announcement of Rachel'a Contract Transferral . DSP Media . ko . 2023-06-23 .
  48. Web site: DSP Media - Artist . dspmedia.co.kr.
  49. Web site: 2023-08-28. '카지노' 김민, DSP미디어와 전속계약…이중옥·안서현과 한솥밥 [공식입장]]. 2023-09-01. www.xportsnews.com. ko.
  50. Web site: RB-INJ - string session . Sound Better . en.
  51. Web site: Director & Producer. May 15, 2018. December 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191203132521/http://www.rbbridge.com/?page_id=15945. live.
  52. Web site: Kim Jin-seok. 마마무 화사, 9년 몸 담은 RBW 떠나기로 결정. June 27, 2023. news.jtbc.co.kr. 27 June 2023 . ko.
  53. Active in both South Korea and Vietnam.

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