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Five K-pop leaders featured on 'Billboard Women in Music' list

Published: 20 Apr. 2026, 18:01 Updated: 20 Apr. 2026, 19:57

LEE JI-WON
[email protected]

Logo of Billboard [BILLBOARD]

Five female leaders from K-pop agencies were featured in Billboard's Women in Music 2026 list released Monday.

Leaders from JYP Entertainment, HYBE and SM Entertainment made the annual list, which celebrates the most influential women in the music industry and covers producers, executives and artists.

Shin Seon-jeong, the President of BigHit Music, a subsidiary label of HYBE, has been selected under the multisector list. The list recognizes music industry leaders whose impact spans multiple areas of the music industry, such as business or marketing, rather than a single position. Shin joined BigHit Entertainment in 2010 and contributed to the creation and early stages of the boy band BTS.

Shin Seon-jeong, the President of BigHit Music, a subsidiary label of HYBE [HYBE]

She led the systematic improvement of the recruitment and development process of trainees as the head and general manager of HYBE’s Training & Development department.

Mitra Darab, the President of HYBE x Geffen Records, an agency known for its girl group Katseye, has also made the list under the same category.

Leaders from both SM and JYP Entertainment have been featured in the Labels, Distributors and Artist Services section. The section recognizes business executives who support artists behind the scenes.

Song Ji-eun, who also goes by Shannen, is the Producer and head of ONE Label and the CEO of JYP Japan. She leads the agency’s artists, such as boy band 2PM, Stray Kids, NEXZ and girl group NiziU.

Kim Ji-won, the Chief Relations Officer of SM Entertainment on the left and Choi Jung-min, the Chief Global Officer of SM Entertainment [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

Two executives from SM Entertainment made the list, both for the second year in a row. Choi Jung-min, the Chief Global Officer and Kim Ji-won, the Chief Relations Officer, have been recognized.

Kim has overseen marketing and public relations for the agency, and Choi has led branding efforts for both the company and its artists in overseas markets, including Europe.

The Billboard Women in Music 2026 recognition ceremony will take place in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29.

BY LEE JI-WON [[email protected]]