Imagine Asia (; formerly known Wellmade Yedang), is a South Korean entertainment company established in 1976. The company operates as a talent agency, television production company, event management, concert production company, and music publishing house.

History

The company was founded in 1976 as Banpo Industries, an industrial tent manufacturer that was previously headquartered at

Seongnam Seongnam () is the fourth largest city in South Korea's Gyeonggi Province after Suwon and the 10th largest city in the country. Its population is approximately one million. Seongnam is a satellite city of Seoul. It is largely a residential ci ...

Gyeonggi Province Gyeonggi-do (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, ''Gyeonggi'', means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, ''Gyeonggi-do'' can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Seoul, the na ...

. In 2000, the company name was changed to Banpo Tech. Banpo Tech merged in 2006 with Star M Entertainment, becoming Star M. Among the first artists on its roster were actors

Shin Min-a Shin Min-a (; born 5 April 1984) is a South Korean model and actress best known for starring in television dramas ''A Love to Kill'' (2005), ''My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox'' (2010), '' Arang and the Magistrate'' (2012), ''Oh My Venus'' ...

, Jang Dong-gun and

Hyun Bin Kim Tae-pyung (born September 25, 1982), better known as Hyun Bin, is a South Korean actor. He gained widespread recognition for his role in the 2005 romantic comedy TV drama '' My Name is Kim Sam-soon''. Since then, he has appeared in leading ...

. The company was listed on

KOSDAQ KOSDAQ (acronym of Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, Korean: 코스닥) is a trading board of Korea Exchange (KRX) in South Korea established in 1996. Initially set up by Korea Financial Investment Association as an independent st ...

in 2007. In 2008, the company name was again changed, to Wellmade Star M. Its headquarters were moved to

Gangnam District Gangnam District ( ; , ) is one of the 25 local government districts which make up the city of Seoul, South Korea. Gangnam translates to "South of the ( Han) River". Gangnam District is the third largest district in Seoul, with an area of . ...

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 of ...

. In 2013, Wellmade Star M acquired Dream T Entertainment majority shareholders. In 2014, it merged with Yedang Company to form Wellmade Yedang. In 2015, the company acquired 39% shares of YMC Entertainment, its subsidiaries Dream T Entertainment also acquired 41% shares of YMC Entertainment and became a majority shareholders after having 80% shares of YMC. The company also acquired BLUE STAR Entertainment in the same year. In March 2016, Yedang Entertainment officially renamed to Banana Culture and following Wellmade also renamed to Imagine Asia in June.http://www.hankookilbo.com/m/v.aspx?id=41ccd991e61f6d4e3ae984f745dff682& However, Wellmade Yedang had continued as an independent company.

Artists

Actors/actresses

Cha Hwa-yeon Cha Hwa-yeon (born Cha Hak-kyung; February 12, 1961) is a South Korean actress. Career Cha made her acting debut in 1978, and became best known as the heroine Kim Mi-ja in the 1987 television drama ''Love and Ambition'', a character who became a ...

(2018–present) * Choi Jung-won (2017–present) *Go Yoo-ahn *Hwang Young-hee *Im Soo-hyun *

Jang Seo-hee Jang Seo-hee (born January 5, 1972) is a South Korean actress. She has starred in numerous television dramas, including ''Miss Mermaid'' (2002) and '' Temptation of Wife'' (2008), which were both extremely successful in the ratings and earned J ...

(2017–present) *

Jeon In-hwa Jeon In-hwa (; born October 27, 1965), is a South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in 1985, and became best known for playing charismatic empresses in period dramas, notably in ''Ladies of the Palace'' for which she won the Grand Prize ( ...

*Jung Na-on *

Kang Min-ah Kang Min-ah (; born March 20, 1997), is a South Korean actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such ...

Kim Da-hyun Kim Da-hyun (born Kim Se-hyun on January 1, 1980) is a South Korean actor and singer. Kim made his entertainment debut in 1999 as the lead vocalist of the rock band ''Yada'' (which disbanded in 2004). Since then, he has been actively engaged i ...

*Kim Ho-jin *Kim Jae-woon *Kim So-Ra *Lee Ho-suk *

Lee Il-hwa Lee Il-hwa (born February 24, 1971) is a South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in 1991, and has since appeared in numerous television drama In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fict ...

(2016–present) *Lee Jung-jun *Na Hye-mi *

Park Sang-myun Park Sang-myun (; born January 27, 1968) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his comic roles, notably in '' My Wife Is a Gangster'' (2001). Career Park Sang-myun graduated in 1987 with a Theater degree from Seoul Institute of the Arts ...

*Park Sang-nam *Rho Sang-bo *

Shim Eun-jin Shim Eun-jin ( ko, 심은진; born February 6, 1981) is a South Korean singer and actress. She was a member of South Korean girl group Baby V.O.X. Career Shim Eun-jin launched her singing career in 1998 as a member of Baby V.O.X, one of the m ...

*Son Sung-yoon *Suh Ji-hee * Yoo Dong-geun *Yoo Gun-woo *Yook Jin-su

Entertainers

*Jung Yi-rang

MCs

*LJ

Subsidiaries

Dream T Entertainment

Dream T Entertainment was founded by Lee Jong-suk in 2009. Imagine Asia acquired it in December 2013.

YMC Entertainment

YMC Entertainment was founded in 2010 by Cho Yoo-myung, the eldest son of singer

Tae Jin-ah Jo Bang-heon (Hangul: 조방헌; born February 16, 1953), better known by his stage name, Tae Jin-ah (), is a South Korean trot singer and entertainer. He debuted in 1973 with the song, "My Heart Express Train," and rose to fame soon after wit ...

. Imagine Asia along with Dream T Entertainment acquired it in July 2015. The label is now closed down as of 2020. Its website is now inaccessible.

Blue Star Entertainment

Blue Star Entertainment was founded by Byun Dong-jin and Park Chang-jae, former executives of

Core Contents Media MBK Entertainment (), was a South Korean entertainment company established by Kim Kwang-soo. The company was originally founded in 1999 as GM Planning. The company was absorbed by Mnet Media in 2006, following Kim Kwang-soo joint with CJ Group a ...

(now MBK Entertainment). Imagine Asia acquired it in 2015. Groups * AA *C'est si bon Actors *Nam Kyung-hee *Shin Ji-ae

Divisions

Wellmade Film

Wellmade Film () is a film production company. Films *'' The Warrior's Way'' (2010) *'' The Yellow Sea'' (''황해'') (2010) * ''As One'' (''코리아'') (2012) *''

The Show Must Go On "The show must go on" is a phrase in show business, meaning that regardless of what happens, whatever show has been planned still has to be staged for the waiting patrons. There is no evidence to suggest that it is the abbreviation of a longer phra ...

'' (''우아한세게'') (2007) *''

The Huntresses ''The Huntresses'' (; lit. "Joseon Beautiful Lady Three Musketeers") is a 2014 South Korean film directed by Park Jae-hyun. A ''Charlie's Angels''-inspired action/adventure comedy, it stars Ha Ji-won, Kang Ye-won and Son Ga-in as the three most le ...

'' (''조선 미녀 삼총사'') (2014) Dramas *''

Soul Mechanic ''Soul Mechanic'' () is a 2020 South Korean television series starring Shin Ha-kyun, Jung So-min, Tae In-ho and Park Ye-jin. It aired on KBS2 from May 6 to June 25, 2020. Synopsis A team of psychiatrists who believe in ''healing'', and not ju ...

'' (''영혼수선공'') (2020, in association with Monster Union) *''

Doctor Prisoner ''Doctor Prisoner'' () is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Namkoong Min, Kwon Nara, Choi Won-young and Kim Byung-chul. It aired on KBS2's Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:00 ( KST) from March 20 to May 15, 2019. Synopsis A skilled ...

'' (''닥터 프리즈너'') (2019, in association with Jidam Inc.) *''

The Third Charm ''The Third Charm'' () is a 2018 South Korean television series directed by Pyo Min-soo and starring Seo Kang-joon and Esom. It explores the real side of relationships between couples. It aired from September 28 to November 17, 2018, on JTBC's ...

'' (''제3의 매력'') (2018, in association with JYP Pictures) *''

Come and Hug Me ''Come and Hug Me'' () is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Jang Ki-yong, Jin Ki-joo and Huh Joon-ho. It aired on MBC from May 16 to July 19, 2018. Synopsis A man and a woman who were each other's first loves during childhood reu ...

'' (''이리와 안아줘'') (2018, in association with Company Ching) *''

Mad Dog Mad dog is a phrase commonly attributed to rabid dogs. Mad Dog may also refer to: Music * ''Mad Dog'' (album), an album by John Entwistle * "Mad Dog", a song by America from '' Holiday'' * "Mad Dog", a song by Deep Purple from '' The House of B ...

'' (''매드 독'') (2017, in association with Celltrion Entertainment) *'' Here Comes Mr Oh'' (''오자룡이 간다'') (2011–2013) *'' Couples Too Rosy'' (장미빛 연인들) (2014–2015)

Happy Campus Projects

Happy Campus Projects (재미난 프로젝트) is a

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has b ...

production company under Imagine Asia, led by CEO Jung Ah-reum. Drama *''

Entertainer An entertainer is someone who provides entertainment in various different forms. Types of entertainers * Acrobat * Actor * Archimime * Athlete * Barker * Beatboxer * Benshi * Bouffon * Circus performer * Clown * Club Hostess/Host * Co ...

'' (''딴따라'') (2016) *'' Wanted'' (''원티드'') (2016) *''

Schoolgirl Detectives ''Schoolgirl Detectives'' () is a South Korean television series based on the novel of the same title by Park Ha-ik. Starring Jin Ji-hee, Kang Min-ah, Lee Hye-ri, Lee Min-ji, Stephanie Lee, and Kim Min-jun, it aired on jTBC from December 16, ...

'' (''선얌여고 탐정단'') (2014–2015)

On Da Com

On Da Com (also known as On多com) is a multimedia production company in Seoul, South Korea. Reality television *'' Dad! Where Are We Going?'' (''아빠! 어디가?'') (2014–2015) *''Section TV'' (''섹션 TV'') (1999–Current) *''Good Morning'' (''좋은아침'') (1996–Current) *''Southern Boy Northern Girl'' (''남남 북녀'') (2015–Current) *''Peony Stick Club'' (''모란봉 클럽'') (2015–Current) *'' Infinite Girls'' (''무한걸스'') (2010–2013) *''Real Story'' (''猫'') (2006–2010)

Former artists

Actors

Ha Ji-Won Jeon Hae-rim (; born 28 June 1978), better known by her stage name Ha Ji-won () is a South Korean actress. She is best known for the historical dramas '' Damo'' (2003), '' Hwang Jini'' (2006), and '' Empress Ki'' (2013), as well as the melodra ...

(2003–13) *

Lee Jong-suk Lee Jong-suk (, born 14 September 1989) is a South Korean actor and model. He debuted in 2005 as a runway model, becoming the youngest male model ever to participate in Seoul Fashion Week. Lee's breakthrough role was in '' School 2013'' (2012) ...

(2011–15) *

Oh Yeon-seo Oh Yeon-seo (, born Oh Haet-nim []; June 22, 1987), is a South Korean actress, singer and model and is best known for her roles in television dramas '' My Husband Got a Family'' (2012), '' Jang Bo-ri is Here!'' (2014), ''Shine or Go Crazy'' (201 ...

(2006–17) *

Seo Hyo-rim Seo Hyo-rim (; born January 6, 1985) is a South Korean actress. Filmography Television series Film Variety show Music video Awards and nominations References External links * * * * * Living people 1985 births South Korean te ...

(2015–17) * Lee Joon-hyuk *

Lee Sun-bin Lee Jin-kyung (; born January 7, 1994), professionally known as Lee Sun-bin (), is a South Korean actress and singer. She is known for starring in '' Squad 38'' (2016), '' Missing 9'' (2017), and ''Criminal Minds'' (2017). She is a former memb ...

*Jo Sung-min *

Jin Ji-hee Jin Ji-hee (born March 25, 1999) is a South Korean actress. Career She began her career as a child actress, and is best known for her roles in the relationship drama '' Alone in Love'' (2006), the horror fairytale ''Hansel and Gretel'' (2007) ...

(2016–19) *Shin Won-sik *Bae Hyo-won *

Go Yoon Go Yoon (born Kim Jong-min; September 12, 1988) is a South Korean actor. He is perhaps known for his roles in the television series ''Criminal Minds ''Criminal Minds'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series created an ...

*Im Ho-gul *Kim Ga-hwa *Kim Geum-bi *

Kim Hyo-jin Kim Hyo-jin (; born February 10, 1984) is a South Korean actress and model. She began modeling in teen magazines, and made her acting debut in 1999. She is best known for playing the youngest of the three sisters in sex comedy film '' Everybody ...

*Kim Youn-jun *Park Seul-maro * Park Min-su *

Ryu Hwa-young Ryu Hwa-young (born April 22, 1993), better known by the mononym Hwayoung, is a South Korean actress and singer. She is a former member of South Korean girl group T-ara. Biography Ryu Hwa-young was born on April 22, 1993 in Gwangju, South Kor ...

(2013–2020) *Shim Min-chul *

Shim Mina Shim Mina (; born December 1, 1972), known simply as Mina (미나), is a South Korean singer and dancer. She rose to fame at the World Cup in 2002, eventually deciding to become a K-pop singer. On July 7, 2018, Mina married Ryu Philip, a me ...

*Song Kyung-chul *Yoo A-ran *

Yoon Seo Jo Yun-seo (born January 4, 1993) is a South Korean actress. Filmography Film Television series Awards and nominations References External links * * 21st-century South Korean actresses South Korean television actresses South ...

Recording artists

C-Clown C-Clown ( ko, 씨클라운; short for Crown Clown) was a South Korean boy band under Yedang Entertainment. It had six members: Rome, Siwoo, Ray, Kang Jun, T.K, and Maru. They disbanded on October 5, 2015 after being together for three years. Hi ...

(2012–2015) *Seo Ji-an Blue Star Entertainment *Kim Jin-hong (AA, 2013–2015) *Aoora (AA, 2011–2016)

Assets

*ETN (cable TV channel) *Park&Noorigae (restaurant) *OnDaCom (production company)

References

External links

*
Official blog
at Naver {{Authority control 1976 establishments in South Korea Companies based in Seoul Companies listed on KOSDAQ Television production companies of South Korea Film distributors of South Korea Film production companies of South Korea Broadcasting companies of South Korea Music publishing companies of South Korea Contemporary R&B record labels K-pop record labels Publishing companies established in 1976 Record labels established in 1976 South Korean brands South Korean record labels Synth-pop record labels Electronic dance music record labels Hip hop record labels Talent agencies of South Korea *