• Is Salt Entertainment Losing Its Top Stars? Kim Seon Ho Follows Kim Ji Won to Song Joong Ki’s Agency!

    After Kim Ji Won’s unexpected departure from Salt Entertainment, it now seems that Kim Seon Ho will also be leaving the agency.

    Both stars are reportedly headed to High Zium Studio, the agency run by Song Joong Ki, and this news is stirring up plenty of buzz. What’s behind this wave of talent moving away from Salt?

    Kim Ji Won, who signed with Salt Entertainment in 2020, made headlines in June 2022 when she suddenly announced her departure after finishing the drama My Liberation Notes. While the official statement wished her the best, many insiders speculated about the reasons behind the split.

    Some rumors suggested that Kim Ji Won was unhappy with her role in the drama, especially for being overshadowed by her co-star, Son Seok Koo. Others believed that Salt made mistakes by trusting writer Park Hae Young too much when signing the project.

    Now, just two years after Kim Ji Won’s departure, Kim Seon Ho is reportedly set to follow in her footsteps and leave Salt Entertainment for High Zium Studio. Although High Zium has denied confirming any contract details, insiders believe it’s almost certain that the actor will make the move.

    For Salt, this is a huge blow, especially since Kim Seon Ho has become a popular star in Southeast Asia, which helped the agency rake in significant revenue.

    An entertainment insider shared, "Salt worked hard to build connections in Southeast Asia for Kim Seon Ho, thanks to Park Shin Hye’s network. It was a successful partnership, but now it looks like they’re parting ways."

    Salt’s connections in countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia were largely due to Park Shin Hye’s previous fan meetings and events there. These efforts helped Kim Seon Ho rise to stardom in Southeast Asia, but Salt couldn’t secure a contract extension.

    Salt also managed to protect Kim Seon Ho’s reputation during his 2021 scandal with weathercaster Choi Young Ah.

    After Choi Young Ah’s false claims about pregnancy and abortion, public opinion shifted in Kim Seon Ho’s favor. The agency’s handling of the situation earned them praise, but despite their efforts, they couldn’t keep their rising star.

    A manager with years of experience in the industry shared, "The loyalty of extending contracts for 1-2 years after a 7-year contract ends is disappearing. Agencies are under pressure due to the economic downturn, and more companies are being listed, making it harder to maintain these long-term relationships."

    With Kim Seon Ho and Kim Ji Won leaving, many are wondering if Salt can bounce back from this blow or if High Zium Studio will continue to attract more talent from under their noses.

    Source: [1]

  • BTS's Jin Breaks Records Again! Laneige Sees Biggest Sales Ever Thanks to His Star Power

    BTS’s Jin, the global ambassador for Laneige, has once again proven his incredible influence by helping the brand achieve its highest-ever sales record.

    Since expanding into the U.S. market in 2018, Amorepacific’s global beauty brand Laneige has experienced massive growth, largely fueled by the rising popularity of K-pop. However, Laneige hit a new milestone during the Black Friday & Cyber Monday (BFCM) event on Amazon U.S., recording an incredible 127% sales increase compared to last year. Many believe this success is due to Laneige’s decision to select Jin as its first-ever male global ambassador.

    Laneige’s rapid expansion has also had a ripple effect on Amorepacific’s overall sales. For the first time, the company’s sales in the Americas have surpassed those in Greater China, highlighting Jin’s massive brand impact.

    Laneige officially introduced Jin as its global ambassador on September 27, 2023, and his involvement led to an instant surge in product demand. His stunning campaign visuals received an overwhelming response, leading to numerous sold-out products and Laneige topping sales charts worldwide.

    According to WWD Japan, Laneige saw an unexpected sales boom thanks to the "Jin effect." The brand manager of Amorepacific Japan’s Laneige division stated, "With BTS’s Jin joining as an ambassador, sales of 'Cream Skin' lotion have significantly increased. Campaign revenue has doubled from our initial expectations, leading to major brand awareness growth."

    Laneige’s Cream Skin, which was heavily featured in Jin’s global campaign, became an absolute bestseller. It secured the No. 1 sales spot on Japan’s Qoo10 marketplace—not just in beauty, but across all product categories! This cemented Jin’s unstoppable global influence.

    In South Korea, Laneige Cream Skin took over Olive Young’s sales rankings across all gender and age groups. It even sold out in offline stores due to overwhelming demand. The product also dominated the sales charts for seven consecutive days on Laneige’s official U.S. website, earning Jin yet another ‘Sold-Out King’ moment.

    Internationally, the campaign’s success led to immediate sellouts in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore, while in Indonesia, it had to be restocked after being wiped out. A limited-edition mini photobook offered with Jin’s Laneige Cream Skin purchases instantly sold out on China’s top online marketplaces, Taobao and Tmall.

    But Jin’s selling power doesn’t stop at beauty brands! In July 2023, he became the first global ambassador for FRED, a prestigious French high-jewelry house. As expected, luxury pieces, including a $100,000 necklace, sold out immediately after his campaign launched.

    In August 2023, he was introduced as a global ambassador for Gucci, and his endorsement caused rapid sellouts in South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

    Jin’s ambassadorship for Alo Yoga also made waves, with WWD reporting that his announcement alone generated $3.6 million in media impact value within just 24 hours! His influence also extends into technology and tourism, as he’s partnered with Dolby and served as Seoul’s tourism ambassador.

    His advertising power is undeniable even in the food industry. In 2022, Jin was selected as the model for Ottogi’s Jin Ramen, and the brand quickly saw its highest-ever ramen export sales. The food industry noted that Korea’s ramen exports experienced a huge boost following BTS’s Jin’s campaign, a trend similar to the worldwide ramen boom triggered by Parasite’s Oscar win in 2020.

    From beauty to luxury fashion, tech, and even food, Jin continues to dominate industries worldwide, proving once again why he is a top-tier global superstar.

    Source (1)