Kdrama Agency Shuffle: Several Actresses Switch Management

Tags
Kang Hye Jung
Lee Mi Sook
Ha Ji Won

It's not unheard of for kdrama actors to switch management agencies but the last month has seen a lot of activity.

Actress Kang Hye Jung who had roles in the films  "Old Boy" and "Behind the Camera" and the drama "Miss Ripley" has left YG Entertainment to sign on with C-JeS Entertainment.  Her new agency says it will do its best to give the actress its wholehearted support.

"A talented actress such as Kang Hye Jung is rare," said a C-JeS representative. "As her career continues to blossom, the movie industry will see this move as good news."

For now Kang Hye Jung's husband, Tablo, a member of the band Epik High, continues to be represented by YG Entertainment. At C-JeS, Kang will join fellow celebrities Song Ji Hyo, Lee Jung Jae, Park Sung Woond and Jin Hyuk.

Veteran actress Lee Mi Sook also has a new agency. The actress, who appeared in "Lee Soon Shin Is Best," "Love Rain," "A Thousand Days' Promise" and "Cinderella's Sister" has signed with Sidus HQ. Lee worked without an agency for a while because she was involved in a drawn-out legal battle with her former agency, The Contents Media. That case was recently resolved. The agency claimed she broke her four-year contract in 2009 and demanded about $180,000 in compensation. The court ruled that she had to pay her former agency compensation but that what she owed was closer to $100,000. 

"We'll show our full support for Lee Mi Sook, who is known for her many transformations in drama and film," said a Sidus HQ representative. "That way she can again shine in her full colors as an actress."

Some actors find that the best agency to represent them is one they create themselves. That's why actress Ha Ji Won left Wellmade STARM and decided to create her own agency.

"We were together for about 10 years and now I will be working alone," said the actress. "It feels strange. Sometimes I feel scared but it's a new beginning for me."

She recently registered her agency under the name Sun and Moon, reflecting her wishes to shine brightly.

"Ha Ji Won is the only actress currently signed with the agency, so it's a one-person agency" said a Sun and Moon representative. "We have no plans yet to recruit any more actors."

The actress, known for her roles in "Secret Garden" and "King 2 Hearts" has signed on to appear in the upcoming drama "Hwatu."

Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Slide Shows