HYBE JAPAN Appoints SMAP Veteran Michi Iijima as J-POP Executive Producer

HYBE JAPAN has appointed Michi Iijima as 'J-POP Executive Producer' to discover local Japanese IP. The plan is to combine HYBE's global training system with Japanese market experience by placing the individual who led SMAP through its golden age into this new position.

Along with this appointment, HYBE JAPAN has created a new position that did not exist in the existing organization and has begun restructuring. Executive Producer Iijima will be in charge of everything from artist IP planning and production to activity plans, creative, and overall producing.

50-year Career Producer Who Led SMAP's Golden Age

Executive Producer Iijima is a veteran who has been active in the Japanese entertainment industry for approximately 50 years since 1978. She is considered a key figure who led the group's heyday by handling the management and producing of SMAP.

She is also evaluated as the person who established the Japanese-style 'Multi talent model,' which expands the scope of activities beyond just music into variety shows, dramas, and movies. As a film producer, she planned works such as 'Midnight Swan,' which received the Best Picture award at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize.

Strengthening Local IP Discovery Under HYBE 2.0

HYBE JAPAN plans to discover next-generation J-pop artists by combining HYBE's global artist training system with Executive Producer Iijima's local market insights. While performing her duties at HYBE JAPAN, Executive Producer Iijima will also concurrently serve as the CEO of CULEN, the entertainment agency she founded.

This appointment is an extension of 'HYBE 2.0,' which is HYBE's mid-to-long-term growth engine. HYBE JAPAN has been promoting a 'Multi-home, Multi-genre' approach tailored to the characteristics of Japanese culture and the market.

Connection with Teams Under YX LABELS and JCONIC

Currently, under HYBE JAPAN, there is YX LABELS, which includes &TEAM that debuted in 2022, and JCONIC, which includes the boy group aoen formed through last year's audition program 'Cheering-HIGH.' With the joining of Executive Producer Iijima, the local specialized artist IP business, including these labels, is expected to gain further momentum.

Executive Producer Iijima stated, "Having been in the industry for a long time, I have focused on producing content that maximizes the individuality and charm of artists." She continued, saying, "I am confident that the future of entertainment lies in the fandom as we face a major transition period in the industry. Through the combination of fandom and entertainment, I will strive to expand the horizons of Japanese content and ensure that artists born locally can be loved in the long term."

Kim Young-min, Chairman of HYBE JAPAN, stated, "We are delighted to work with Executive Producer Iijima, who has built unrivaled achievements and deep insights in the Japanese entertainment industry. Her outstanding capabilities and HYBE's global infrastructure will create synergy, breathing vitality into the Japanese market and presenting attractive projects to fans."