The News
On August 18, 2025, K-pop icon and acclaimed actor Lee Junho marked a new era in his career by establishing his personal agency, O3 Collective (here is the Instagram page). After 17 successful years with JYP Entertainment, this move represents a declaration of creative sovereignty and a visionary venture to redefine his artistic and business path.
The 17-year partnership between Lee Junho and JYP Entertainment concluded amicably on April 15, 2025. Both parties expressed deep gratitude and mutual respect, highlighting a “beautiful farewell” that resulted from extensive discussions. The transition was handled with exceptional professionalism, honoring their long-standing relationship.
A groundbreaking aspect of this departure is the unprecedented agreement that sees JYP Entertainment continuing to manage Lee Junho’s activities in Japan, a market where he enjoys immense popularity. His group contract with 2PM also remains active with JYP Entertainment, ensuring his continued commitment to the group. This hybrid model sets a new standard for post-contract collaboration in the industry, allowing Junho to leverage an established infrastructure while pursuing his independence elsewhere.
The Vision of O3 Collective
The name O3 Collective embodies the agency’s philosophy:
- One, the unique identity of the artist
- Original, the creation of innovative content
- Orbit, a management system that synergistically connects the first two elements.
The goal extends beyond simple talent management, aiming to become a “business lab centered on intellectual property (IP) with unlimited expansion capabilities.“
Strategic leadership is a key strength, with Lee Junho as the visionary founder and Yang Hye-young, a former CJ ENM executive, as co-founder and CEO. The team is a mix of long-time collaborators and new talent, ensuring both continuity and innovation.
Lee Junho’s first projects under his new agency include the tvN drama Typhoon Corporation and the Netflix original series Cashero. These collaborations with industry giants allow O3 Collective to focus on creative and brand management, thereby mitigating production risks.
The founding of O3 Collective is a strategic and sophisticated evolution. Lee Junho is transitioning from being a product of the system to becoming a shaper of it, building a creative entity that places the artist and their intellectual property at the center of the orbit. With this move, he not only secures his own future but also offers a new model of independence and entrepreneurship for artists to come.
