From H.O.T. to BTS, the Korean entertainment fandom continuously grows and expanded around the world as years go by. Aside from the fame of the numerous K-pop acts in each generation, agencies and leaders behind them are also among the reasons behind domestic fandom growth.

But looking back, which company and leader truly have had the greatest influence in the fandom culture since 2000?

DC Inside, CEO Kim Yu Sik Top the Rankings for Companies/Leaders with Greatest Influence in Fandom Culture

On July 20, the online Korean community portal site, DC Inside, held a poll with the question, "Who do you think has had the greatest influence on the domestic entertainment fandom since 2000?"

The poll was held from July 12 to 18, and as a result, the platform and its CEO Kim Yu Sik dominated as No. 1 with 24% of total votes. Among 13,975 respondents, DC Inside company and its CEO received 3350 votes. In particular, the site and the company have been operating for about 22 years already, since 1999.

DC Inside, which started as a digital camera information site, shares information through various theme galleries that post photos and creates various cultures.

Later on, it rose as popular celebrity galleries (which include K-pop idols, Korean actors, actresses, etc.) wherein people with the same interest gather.

Through the years, the site created huge fandom and became a platform with one of the biggest influences on the entertainment industry through various activities such as donations and volunteering.

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"BIG 3" and HYBE, More Completed Top 8 Companies/Leaders with Greatest Influence in fandom Culture Since 2000

Following DC Inside, SM Entertainment and Lee Soo Man ranked second place who received 3103 (22%) votes. The general producer is indeed the foundation of the idol system and fandom culture.

Since early 2000, SM Entertainment established legendary K-pop groups including H.O.T., S.E.S., TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, f(x), EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, and aespa – K-pop groups who are leading the overseas expansion of K-pop genres based on giant fandom.

(Photo : BTS Instagram)

The third place was claimed by HYBE Corporation, founded by Bang Si Hyuk, who received 2567 (18%) votes. Home to the "biggest boy group in the world" BTS, Bang is considered as a key figure to lead the next generation of K-pop.

The success of the group BTS has changed the landscape of the domestic and international music industry and has also had a great impact on the fandom culture.

In addition to SM Entertainment, the other agencies from the "BIG 3" YG Entertainment and Yang Hyun Suk, as well as JYP Entertainment and J.Y. Park, completed the top 5, respectively.

(Photo : BLACKPINK Instagram)

YG Entertainment, who ranked fourth, is home to BIGBANG, 2NE1, BLACKPINK, iKON, WINNER, and more, which certainly contributed a lot to the fandom culture.

In fact, BIGBANG is the first-ever group to have a lightstick, a significant item that represents a fandom.

JYP Entertainment and J.Y. Park then ranked fifth, the producer of Wonder Girls and TWICE, who transcended not only the domestic charts but as well as international charts, proving their huge fandom scope. 

Lastly, CJ E&M ranked sixth place, Pledis and Han Seong Su ranked seventh place, while FNC Entertainment and Han Sung Ho ranked eighth place – completing the top 8.

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Written by Eunice Dawson