K-Pop Giants Dominate Billboard’s 2026 Global Power Players: Who Made the List?

[Sports Today reporter Yoon Hye-young] Executives from leading K-pop agencies — including HYBE, SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment — reinforced their global influence by appearing on Billboard’s list of music-market power players.

Billboard published its 2026 Global Power Players list on its website on March 9 (local time).

HYBE placed a record six executives on the list, the largest number ever selected. Leading the group was Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, who made his fifth appearance on the list since 2018. CEO Lee Jae-sang was named for a second consecutive year, and Oh Yoo-jin, head of HYBE ThreeSixty, made the list for the third straight year. New to this year’s roster from HYBE were Isaac Lee, chairman and CEO of HYBE America; Han Hyun-rok, CEO of HYBE Japan; and Kim Tae-ho, HYBE’s COO.

HYBE said the inclusion of overseas executives who pursue a "multi-home, multi-genre" strategy underscores the company’s dominant performance and cultural influence around the world.

SM placed co-CEOs Jang Cheol-hyuk and Tak Young-joon on the list, along with Chief Global Officer Choi Jeong-min.

Notably, Tak has been included five straight years since 2022, while Jang has been selected for three consecutive years beginning in 2024.

JYP saw founder and Chief Creative Officer Park Jin-young, CEO Jung Wook, and Shin Hyun-guk, CEO of JYP America and chief strategy officer, named to the list.

Park’s selection marks his second appearance since 2014, while Jung and Shin are first-time honorees.

In January, Billboard highlighted that K-pop agencies’ competitive edge lies in artist development, noting JYP’s track record of producing and nurturing successful artists.

Kakao Entertainment co-CEO Jang Yoon-joong was also named to the list. He has appeared five times since 2021 and was recognized for helping expand K-pop’s reach in the global music market.

Kakao Entertainment said Jang has diversified artists’ global activities, expanded music IP, and driven collaboration with international partners. The company added that he has strengthened Kakao Entertainment’s music business across planning, production, distribution and streaming, boosting its competitiveness in the global market.

Billboard’s "Global Power Players" is an annual list that recognizes leaders who have driven music markets outside the U.S. and delivered outstanding results. Billboard said, "In an era when artists and music cross borders more actively than ever, we are spotlighting the top executives steering the global music industry's success as our 2026 Global Power Players."

[Sports Today reporter Yoon Hye-young ent@stoo.com]
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