KWAVESCOPE · AGENCY PROFILE
CUBE Entertainment
i-dle, LIGHTSUM, NOWZ and a long history of groups whose songs reshaped Korean pop.
Updated October 21, 2026 · Back to all K-POP agencies
CUBE at a glance
- Established: CUBE Entertainment was founded in 2006 by Hong Seung-sung and Shin Jung-hwa.
- Business: a publicly listed Korean entertainment company (KOSDAQ); distinct from HYBE and Kakao Entertainment.
- Key current music roster: i-dle, LIGHTSUM, NOWZ, solo artist SLAY, plus the company’s individual and legacy PENTAGON-related entries.
- Historic groups: BEAST (now HIGHLIGHT under different management), 4MINUTE, BTOB and CLC.
- 2025 consolidated revenue: approximately KRW 87.2 billion; operating loss approximately KRW 7.3 billion.
- Headquarters: 83 Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, near Seongsu.
- For visitors: agency offices are private; announced audition sessions and public events follow their own rules.
Company overview
CUBE’s catalogue is an unusually revealing map of Korean pop across generations. Older listeners may remember 4MINUTE, BEAST or BTOB. Others arrived through PENTAGON and ‘Shine’, or through i-dle’s self-directed singles. The company’s current promotions also include LIGHTSUM, NOWZ and solo musician SLAY. That breadth is why a list of artists needs dates and context, not simply a stack of familiar names.
The group’s history has repeatedly been shaped by members writing or producing their own material. i-dle in particular challenged assumptions about how much creative authority an idol group can claim, with strong individual musical voices alongside coordinated choreography. Yet that approach isn’t a universal CUBE formula. BTOB’s vocal ballads, PENTAGON’s pop structures and LIGHTSUM’s brighter tone belong to different parts of the catalogue.
CUBE is also a listed company with business activities beyond artist management. Its financial statements can include overseas subsidiaries and distribution operations in addition to music releases. The numbers therefore describe a company, not the sales of one record or the earnings of one group. This guide separates the headline business from the work of individual artists.
Company structure and artist relationships
CUBE is an independent entertainment enterprise, not a HYBE label. Its company website provides a current musician directory with PENTAGON, i-dle, LIGHTSUM, NOWZ and SLAY, as well as actor profiles. An artist’s appearance in an agency archive does not mean every member of a long-running group retains a current exclusive contract.
PENTAGON offers a clear example of why the wording matters. Several members’ individual contracts with CUBE ended years after the group’s debut, and CUBE later announced that HUI’s exclusive contract had also ended. The group name remains culturally important; current individual management should not be inferred from its historical album page. A 2026 official greeting or a musician index may describe a remaining individual member without restoring the older full-group contract arrangement.
NOWZ is the current branding for the boy group introduced as NOWADAYS in 2024. New articles should use NOWZ in present-tense headlines and explain the former name in the group’s history. The same care is needed with i-dle, which now uses that spelling rather than relying exclusively on the original (G)I-DLE name.
KWaveScope A–Z artist profiles
These are the existing KWaveScope A–Z profiles that can be verified on the site. The cards below link to the artist pages; other names in the company roster are included for orientation rather than linked to guessed or unfinished pages.
Current roster, projects and historic artists
The company’s current official website lists both active music projects and names whose earlier group careers have more complicated individual-contract histories. The table distinguishes that nuance without removing historically influential groups from the narrative.
| Name | Current relationship | Why this classification matters |
|---|---|---|
| i-dle | Current five-member girl group | MIYEON, MINNIE, SOYEON, YUQI and SHUHUA perform under the current i-dle branding. |
| LIGHTSUM | Current girl group | Six members: SANGAH, CHOWON, NAYOUNG, HINA, JUHYEON and YUJEONG. |
| NOWZ | Current boy group | Previously named NOWADAYS; a five-member act introduced in 2024. |
| SLAY | Current individual musician | Singer and producer whose 2026 releases include rock-influenced material. |
| PENTAGON | Historic and partially retained company group identity | The official artist archive includes PENTAGON; several members’ exclusive contracts have ended. |
| SHINWON | PENTAGON member with 2026 company activity | Identified in current CUBE greetings and artist communications. |
| HUI | Former CUBE exclusive artist | CUBE officially announced an end to his exclusive contract. |
| BTOB | Former group under CUBE | The group’s agency chapter ended; the members’ later work should not be attributed to CUBE. |
| 4MINUTE | Former group | One of the label’s defining earlier girl groups. |
| CLC | Former group | Part of the label’s historical catalogue, not the current debut roster. |
| BEAST / HIGHLIGHT | Former group | A key earlier CUBE act that continued under other management. |
i-dle: five performers and a recognizable creative identity
The group debuted as (G)I-DLE in May 2018 and built its identity through tracks that mixed striking concepts with strong musical direction. As its career grew, songs such as ‘LATATA’, ‘TOMBOY’, ‘Nxde’ and ‘Queencard’ became reference points in discussions of how much a group can shape its own creative message.
The current name is commonly written i-dle, reflecting a later group rebrand. That change does not create a different debut group; it is a shift in how the continuing five-member act presents itself. Some very early recordings include the group’s former six-member configuration. The current group consists of MIYEON, MINNIE, SOYEON, YUQI and SHUHUA.
| Current member | Korean name | General musical context |
|---|---|---|
| MIYEON | 미연 | Vocalist and solo performer. |
| MINNIE | 민니 | Singer-songwriter with a distinctive vocal identity. |
| SOYEON | 소연 | Leader, rapper and major songwriting and producing contributor. |
| YUQI | 우기 | Singer, songwriter and solo performer. |
| SHUHUA | 슈화 | Performer in the five-member current group. |
Group success is not the same as identical solo careers. When MIYEON, MINNIE, SOYEON or YUQI release individual projects, the credits belong to the named performer even though the group’s catalogue remains a central part of their careers. The creative involvement of members deserves recognition without excluding the work of other collaborators.
LIGHTSUM: a six-member lineup with room to grow
LIGHTSUM debuted in 2021 as a girl group with bright performance-driven pop. Its present six-member lineup differs from the original eight-member debut after the 2022 departures of HUIYEON and JIAN. A current profile should not place those former members in a 2026 group photo or list them as present-tense performers.
The group’s music offers a more melodic and playful counterpoint to some of CUBE’s heavier or more concept-driven songs. Its development is worth following in its own right, not merely as a junior act under the same building as i-dle.
| Current member | Name in Korean |
|---|---|
| SANGAH | 상아 |
| CHOWON | 초원 |
| NAYOUNG | 나영 |
| HINA | 히나 |
| JUHYEON | 주현 |
| YUJEONG | 유정 |
A listener catching up can start with ‘Vanilla’ and ‘Alive’ before moving to the group’s later releases. The official group channel and recent release notices are more useful than a debut-era membership graphic when checking the current members.
NOWZ: a new name for the group introduced as NOWADAYS
The five-member boy group made its original debut in April 2024 under the name NOWADAYS, introducing a lively pop identity built around the idea of sharing everyday experiences with fans. Its later name NOWZ is the current branding used on CUBE’s website. Earlier albums and debut reports may still use NOWADAYS because that was correct at the time.
The rebrand should not be treated as a replacement for all the original members or a completely unrelated act. Readers benefit from an explicit note that both names refer to the same group across its career. The members have been identified as HYEONBIN, YOON, YEONWOO, JINHYUK and SIYUN.
| Member | Korean name |
|---|---|
| HYEONBIN | 현빈 |
| YOON | 윤 |
| YEONWOO | 연우 |
| JINHYUK | 진혁 |
| SIYUN | 시윤 |
The story behind a rebrand is most interesting when it can be heard in the music. The newer releases should be documented with the stage name printed on the official cover and release note, while older works keep their original artist credit.
PENTAGON, SLAY and CUBE’s broader creative roster
PENTAGON’s history is essential to understanding CUBE’s boy-group sound, especially songs that balanced energetic performance with melodic songwriting. But PENTAGON in a legacy site menu is not proof that all its original members still hold CUBE-exclusive contracts. CUBE’s official notice regarding HUI confirmed that his exclusive contract had ended, while other members had already pursued separate management paths.
SLAY represents a different kind of current CUBE artist: a singer and producer whose 2026 material included a digital song in a rock-influenced setting. The label’s catalogue is broad enough to include such individual musicians without requiring them to be classified as idols in a boy group.
The actor division has its own work as well. A television casting announcement, a music-comeback trailer and a CUBE corporate report are different documents with different purposes. Keeping those distinctions prevents outdated or loosely sourced artist lists from accumulating on a fan site.
Company history and milestones
CUBE’s history is best approached as several successive eras, each with acts who made important records and then followed their own career paths. Contracts have evolved, and the company’s current website retains older names that can still attract listeners.
| Year or period | Milestone | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | CUBE was founded by Hong Seung-sung and Shin Jung-hwa. | A new Korean entertainment business began developing artists. |
| 2009 | 4MINUTE and BEAST debuted. | Two major second-generation acts helped establish the company. |
| 2012 | BTOB debuted. | A vocal-centred boy group broadened the company’s reach. |
| 2015 | CLC debuted. | A new girl-group identity entered the catalogue. |
| 2016 | PENTAGON debuted. | A new boy group developed a varied and songwriter-driven discography. |
| 2018 | (G)I-DLE debuted. | The company introduced an act known for strong member creative participation. |
| 2021 | LIGHTSUM debuted. | CUBE began developing a younger girl-group catalogue. |
| 2023 | Several PENTAGON and BTOB exclusive-contract relationships changed. | Group history and current management needed clearer separation. |
| 2024 | NOWADAYS debuted. | Another generation of boy-group performers joined CUBE. |
| 2025 | (G)I-DLE adopted i-dle branding; NOWADAYS later used NOWZ. | Current names began differing from some historic catalogue credits. |
| 2026 | CUBE continued activities across i-dle, LIGHTSUM, NOWZ, SLAY and individuals. | The 2026 roster combined established performers with newer projects. |
A listening guide through the catalog
CUBE’s catalogue is stylistically diverse. The selections below are a path through its history, not a claim that every artist still holds an exclusive agreement with the agency.
| Artist or era | Where to begin | What to listen for |
|---|---|---|
| BEAST / HIGHLIGHT legacy | Fiction; Shock | Early emotionally charged dance-pop and ballad influences. |
| 4MINUTE | Hot Issue; Crazy | Strong girl-group performance identity from CUBE’s early period. |
| BTOB | Missing You; Only One for Me | Vocal harmony and ballad storytelling. |
| CLC | Hobgoblin; No | Different eras of a group that is now historic. |
| PENTAGON | Shine; Daisy | A musical range from bright pop to more dramatic material. |
| i-dle | LATATA; TOMBOY; Nxde; Queencard | Self-directed creative themes and memorable pop hooks. |
| LIGHTSUM | Vanilla; Alive | The brighter sound of a newer girl-group generation. |
| NOWZ / NOWADAYS | Debut single; later NOWZ releases | The evolution of one group across a name change. |
| SLAY | 2026 solo songs including Show Up | The individual singer-songwriter side of the roster. |
Latest developments in 2026
Current names matter: i-dle and NOWZ
Recent official materials use i-dle and NOWZ. Earlier articles that say (G)I-DLE or NOWADAYS are not necessarily wrong about the past, but a new current-roster table should use the names that the label itself uses now. Both historic and present names can be provided when context is helpful.
CUBE’s October auditions are event-specific
A verified CUBE development-team announcement set an in-person centre audition on October 24, 2026 at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. KST, at the Seongsu office. The notice applied to applicants born from 2008 through 2016, regardless of nationality or gender, and described one-minute vocal, rap or dance submissions. This date and eligibility apply to that event, not to every future CUBE audition.
PENTAGON-related contracts should be described precisely
CUBE released a notice announcing that HUI’s exclusive agreement had ended. That is different from saying all eight original members are currently company-exclusive or that the group’s historic music has vanished. Fans can follow individual musicians with their actual present management details.
How big is CUBE Entertainment?
KRW 87.2 billion
KRW 7.3 billion loss
CUBE Entertainment’s 2025 annual business report described consolidated revenue of approximately KRW 87.2 billion and an operating loss of approximately KRW 7.3 billion. Revenue was lower than the previous year, and the company moved from operating profit in 2024 to a loss in 2025. Unlike several HYBE-label examples, this section uses the listed company’s consolidated reporting basis.
The reporting entity matters because CUBE has business lines and subsidiaries beyond the music releases that first made it familiar to international fans. Consolidated financial figures may reflect distribution, international operations and activities unrelated to any one idol album. They are not direct proof of the profitability of a specific group or tour.
The figures are rounded Korean-won amounts for the financial year ended December 31, 2025. Comparisons with earlier years need to use the same accounting basis.
Headquarters address and Google Maps
English: 83 Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Korean for map apps and taxis: 서울특별시 성동구 아차산로 83
Finding the Seongsu headquarters
CUBE’s 2025 business report gives its headquarters as 83 Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, in the Seongsu area. This differs from the Yongsan addresses used by several HYBE labels. The company location can be found by searching the Korean address in Naver Map, Kakao Map or Google Maps.
The building is a working office. Even when an official audition takes place there, the application notice controls where and when registered visitors may enter. A historic exterior photo, fans’ travel story or nearby café does not establish general permission to access company floors.
An office and a fan destination are not the same thing
CUBE and other music agencies may announce pop-ups, official merchandise, performances or fan meetings. Check the specific event address, opening hours and admission rules, rather than relying on the office address in this guide.
Be considerate to neighbours and businesses around Seongsu. Keep sidewalks clear, do not follow performers or employees and respect any access restrictions. Visitors have many public music-related experiences in Seoul that are more rewarding than waiting at a private entrance.
Auditions and trainee applications
CUBE’s official trainee-development channel posts dated auditions. The October 2026 centre audition notice specified Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. KST, at 83 Achasan-ro in Seongsu. It listed applicants born between 2008 and 2016, regardless of nationality or gender, and asked participants to prepare one of vocals, rap or dance for approximately one minute.
An announced date, birth-year range or audition category is not a permanent rule for every future session. Check the current official channel before travelling. The October notice also required identification showing the applicant’s date of birth; requirements can differ at later events.
Young applicants should consult a parent or guardian and avoid unofficial accounts claiming to be recruiters. Do not pay a third party for supposed priority access. For a genuine CUBE audition, the most useful information will always be the latest dated notice from the label’s recruitment team.
Frequently asked questions
Who are CUBE’s main current music artists?
CUBE’s current site identifies i-dle, LIGHTSUM, NOWZ, SLAY and PENTAGON-related entries; present individual contracts should be checked against current official notices.
Is (G)I-DLE now called i-dle?
Yes. The current spelling is i-dle; older releases correctly retain (G)I-DLE as the historic stage name.
Did NOWADAYS become NOWZ?
Yes. NOWZ is the current branding for the five-member boy group that debuted as NOWADAYS in April 2024.
How many members are in LIGHTSUM?
The current six-member group comprises SANGAH, CHOWON, NAYOUNG, HINA, JUHYEON and YUJEONG.
Is HUI still signed exclusively to CUBE?
CUBE officially announced that HUI’s exclusive contract ended. Do not assume all PENTAGON members remain under the old contract.
Is BTOB still a CUBE group?
BTOB is part of the company’s important history, but its members later left the original CUBE exclusive agency arrangement.
Why are CUBE’s 2025 operating results negative?
The consolidated company reported an operating loss for 2025. The number describes the full reporting group, not the profitability of one act.
Where is CUBE Entertainment headquarters?
83 Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, in the Seongsu area. It is a private workplace.
How do I audition?
Follow a current, dated official CUBE audition announcement. The October 24, 2026 audition had its own specific age and attendance conditions.
Official destinations and related reading
The CUBE Entertainment official site ↗ carries its musician and actor directories. The current KWaveScope A–Z profiles include i-dle ↗ and LIGHTSUM ↗. The dated company notices help readers keep the changing roster accurate.
Looking ahead
CUBE’s legacy spans dance-pop, vocal ballads, songwriter-led groups and newer performers. That variety is part of its appeal, but it also makes careless artist lists easy to get wrong. BEAST, 4MINUTE and BTOB are not interchangeable with the 2026 roster, and PENTAGON’s members have taken different contractual paths.
The strongest current story is how i-dle, LIGHTSUM, NOWZ and the company’s solo work keep developing different identities. A useful agency profile can celebrate the earlier records while keeping the present-day names, financial scope and real visitor information accurate.
Editorial review: October 21, 2026. Artist contracts, releases, schedules and audition eligibility are subject to change. Financial figures describe the reporting entity named above, not individual artists.