KWAVESCOPE · AGENCY PROFILE
SOURCE MUSIC
LE SSERAFIM and the label’s longer history—from GFRIEND to a new era of confident pop.
Updated October 21, 2026 · Back to all K-POP agencies
SOURCE MUSIC at a glance
- Founded: 2009 by producer and executive So Sung-jin.
- Corporate parent: HYBE; SOURCE MUSIC is its own girl-group-focused label.
- Current flagship artist: LE SSERAFIM, a five-member international girl group.
- Historic group: GFRIEND, whose original exclusive contracts with SOURCE MUSIC concluded in 2021.
- 2025 SOURCE MUSIC revenue: approximately KRW 77.9 billion; operating profit approximately KRW 13.1 billion.
- Headquarters: 42 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
- Visitors: the company is a working label, not a public studio or regularly open museum.
Company overview
SOURCE MUSIC is closely identified with LE SSERAFIM today, but the company’s story predates the group’s 2022 debut. GFRIEND’s early releases helped establish the independent label’s reputation for strong performance and memorable songwriting long before it joined HYBE. Looking at both periods reveals how an agency can change without rewriting the artists that built its history.
LE SSERAFIM’s music places a different emphasis on confidence and performance. The group name rearranges the letters of ‘I’M FEARLESS’, an idea reflected in its early visuals and singles. Yet the catalogue is not all one mood: it moves through club rhythms, melodic pop and material that shows the individual members’ contrasting approaches to singing and movement.
An accurate agency profile should distinguish the current roster from historical group work. A GFRIEND anniversary performance or reunion does not by itself mean the members have resumed the same exclusive contracts that ended in 2021. Likewise, being a HYBE label does not mean SOURCE MUSIC manages artists belonging to BELIFT LAB, PLEDIS or BIGHIT MUSIC.
Company structure and artist relationships
SOURCE MUSIC is operated within the HYBE music business and specializes in the work of its artists rather than serving as a management umbrella for every HYBE act. Its official website lists LE SSERAFIM and provides company information, including its Seoul office address. LE SSERAFIM is also described on the company site as the first girl group launched through the HYBE–SOURCE collaboration.
HYBE group-wide consolidated revenue is different from SOURCE MUSIC’s corporate earnings. The same principle applies to artist contracts: the group’s current label and the historical identity of GFRIEND need to be separately described. Company affiliation can bring shared infrastructure while performers retain their own creative and management histories.
Fan-service platforms and official music videos often preserve older material for years. That is valuable as a music archive, but it should not be used to infer a new exclusive contract or an ongoing headquarters attraction. Readers should use dated official notices for contract and visitor information.
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 current company identity is centred on the five women in LE SSERAFIM. GFRIEND is an essential historic part of the SOURCE MUSIC story, yet their original exclusive agreement concluded in 2021. Keeping both names on one page is useful when the relationship type is clearly labeled.
| Name | Current relationship | Why this classification matters |
|---|---|---|
| LE SSERAFIM | Current girl group | Five-member act launched on May 2, 2022, with SOURCE MUSIC. |
| SAKURA | Current LE SSERAFIM member | Part of the current five-member group; also known for earlier projects. |
| KIM CHAEWON | Current LE SSERAFIM member | Group leader and vocalist with a previous project-group career. |
| HUH YUNJIN | Current LE SSERAFIM member | Singer and songwriter who contributes a distinctive musical perspective. |
| KAZUHA | Current LE SSERAFIM member | Japanese member with a classical-ballet background. |
| HONG EUNCHAE | Current LE SSERAFIM member | Youngest member of the five-person lineup. |
| GFRIEND | Historic SOURCE MUSIC group | Debuted in 2015; original SOURCE MUSIC exclusive contracts concluded in May 2021. |
| KIM GARAM | Former LE SSERAFIM member | Left in July 2022; early six-member material is part of the group’s historical debut period. |
LE SSERAFIM: five performers and a fearless identity
LE SSERAFIM debuted on May 2, 2022. Its name is an anagram of ‘I’M FEARLESS’, a deliberate statement of confidence rather than a promise that the songs will always be loud. The group’s music has ranged from the sleek debut ‘FEARLESS’ to the more overtly dramatic ‘ANTIFRAGILE’, the rhythmic ‘UNFORGIVEN’, the easygoing pulse of ‘Perfect Night’ and other later releases.
The current five-member lineup is a key point of accuracy. The earliest debut materials refer to six members, but the group has continued as a five-person act since July 2022. Fans exploring old videos should not confuse the original debut record with the company’s current member listing. Official SOURCE MUSIC profiles name five performers.
| Member | Korean or Japanese name | Context |
|---|---|---|
| SAKURA | 사쿠라 / 宮脇咲良 | Japanese singer with earlier idol-group experience. |
| KIM CHAEWON | 김채원 | Leader and performer whose work spans more than one group era. |
| HUH YUNJIN | 허윤진 | Singer with songwriting and individual artistic contributions. |
| KAZUHA | 카즈하 / 中村一葉 | Japanese member with a ballet background. |
| HONG EUNCHAE | 홍은채 | Youngest member of the current group. |
A five-member group does not mean five identical stage roles. LE SSERAFIM’s performances rely on different physical and vocal strengths; its songs also change their balance across recordings. The variety becomes clearer if the listener follows several releases rather than choosing a single online performance clip.
GFRIEND: the label’s first defining group
GFRIEND debuted in 2015 as a six-member group and became a major part of SOURCE MUSIC’s early identity. The group’s catalogue is remembered for melodic storytelling and choreography that often contrasted delicate arrangements with physically demanding stage movement.
Its best-known songs include ‘Me Gustas Tu’, ‘Rough’, ‘Navillera’ and later tracks that explored different tones. The original members’ contracts with SOURCE MUSIC ended in May 2021. Subsequent reunion or anniversary activities belong in a separate category from the original exclusive relationship. The group’s music remains important to the company’s history even when current management arrangements differ.
| GFRIEND member | Historic identity |
|---|---|
| SOWON | Group leader during its original career. |
| YERIN | Vocalist and performer. |
| EUNHA | Vocalist; later active in other projects. |
| YUJU | Main vocal performer with a solo career. |
| SINB | Performer and vocalist. |
| UMJI | Youngest member of the original six. |
The group offers a useful listening contrast with LE SSERAFIM. They were shaped in different eras of the industry, with different concepts and promotional structures. The difference reveals more about SOURCE MUSIC’s evolution than a simple comparison of chart positions ever could.
How the label’s girl-group identity evolved
SOURCE MUSIC described itself as a company working to make high-quality music that can inspire listeners. Its business changed significantly when it joined the HYBE ecosystem and developed a new international project. LE SSERAFIM was not introduced as a second version of GFRIEND; it was created with a different image, lineup and musical vocabulary.
The company is also part of the wider pop-production economy. Producers, choreographers, writers, visual teams and fan-facing operations all contribute to a major release. Understanding those structures can help fans appreciate a group without assuming every performance is the direct work of a single executive.
Company history and milestones
SOURCE MUSIC’s history has two major group chapters and a change in corporate ownership. Presenting those milestones clearly prevents an agency profile from mixing contract eras.
| Year or period | Milestone | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | So Sung-jin founded SOURCE MUSIC. | An independent Korean pop label began developing its roster. |
| 2015 | GFRIEND debuted. | The group’s distinctive songs and choreography became central to the label. |
| 2016–2019 | GFRIEND expanded its catalogue and international following. | A defining creative period for SOURCE MUSIC. |
| 2019 | Big Hit Entertainment acquired SOURCE MUSIC. | The company entered the business structure later known as HYBE. |
| May 2021 | The original exclusive contracts with GFRIEND ended. | The company and the group entered a new relationship chapter. |
| May 2022 | LE SSERAFIM debuted. | A HYBE-linked international girl-group project became the label’s flagship. |
| July 2022 | LE SSERAFIM continued as a five-member group. | The current roster was established after the initial debut period. |
| 2023–2025 | LE SSERAFIM built a wider international audience through music and live activity. | The label developed global-scale group operations. |
| 2026 | LE SSERAFIM continued to promote while the label maintained its own distinct roster. | The current company identity remains separate from other HYBE labels. |
A listening guide through the catalog
A short cross-era playlist explains the company’s history more clearly than a generic description of its ‘sound’. These songs are useful for hearing how the label’s identity developed across very different performers.
| Artist or era | Where to begin | What to listen for |
|---|---|---|
| GFRIEND, early years | Glass Bead; Me Gustas Tu | Youthful melodies, synchronized stages and strong melodic hooks. |
| GFRIEND, breakthrough | Rough; Navillera | Music and choreography that broadened the group’s appeal. |
| GFRIEND, later era | Time for the Moon Night; MAGO | A move into more mature and varied ideas. |
| LE SSERAFIM, debut | FEARLESS | Understated confidence and a sleek musical approach. |
| LE SSERAFIM, second chapter | ANTIFRAGILE; UNFORGIVEN | Rhythmic tracks and performance-centred storytelling. |
| LE SSERAFIM, broader audience | Perfect Night; EASY; CRAZY | Different moods and international-facing arrangements. |
| LE SSERAFIM, evolving stage style | Recent official performances and full albums | The way the five members interact as a stable group. |
Latest developments in 2026
LE SSERAFIM continues as SOURCE MUSIC’s current group
The official 2026 artist profile still identifies the five members SAKURA, KIM CHAEWON, HUH YUNJIN, KAZUHA and HONG EUNCHAE. Any new album, performance or brand news should be connected to that present-day lineup rather than the group’s short six-member debut period.
GFRIEND’s legacy remains historically important
Songs by GFRIEND still feature in discussions of SOURCE MUSIC. Anniversary or reunion-related coverage should be reported with its own organizer and actual contract context, not as evidence that the 2021 exclusive-agreement ending has been reversed.
The HYBE network is not one single label
LE SSERAFIM shares a corporate parent with artists under BELIFT LAB, PLEDIS and BIGHIT MUSIC. That creates opportunities for wider group operations but does not change the management credits on SOURCE MUSIC releases. Readers searching for company news should follow the label’s actual announcements.
How big is SOURCE MUSIC?
KRW 77.9 billion
KRW 13.1 billion
NICE-based 2025 company financial data reports SOURCE MUSIC revenue of approximately KRW 77.90 billion and operating profit of around KRW 13.08 billion. The corresponding figures for 2024 were approximately KRW 66.46 billion in revenue and KRW 9.20 billion in operating profit.
These amounts are for SOURCE MUSIC as a reporting company, not the entire HYBE corporation. The figures also cannot be assigned to LE SSERAFIM as direct earnings. Recording, marketing, staff, rights and other activities appear within an entertainment company’s accounts, even when one current group is especially prominent.
The figures are rounded, cover the financial year ended December 31, 2025, and are shown in Korean won. The numbers provide a concise picture of the business behind the music business.
Headquarters address and Google Maps
English: 42 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Korean for map apps and taxis: 서울특별시 용산구 한강대로 42
Getting to the Yongsan address
SOURCE MUSIC’s company website identifies its office at 42 Hangang-daero in Yongsan, the HYBE building area. Sinyongsan Station on Subway Line 4 and the wider connections at Yongsan Station are useful starting points for an itinerary. Check your current walking route in a Korean map app before travelling.
The office is a working location, not a public exhibition of LE SSERAFIM’s costumes or recording equipment. Touring companies and artists regularly operate from private spaces, which must not be confused with fan attractions.
Official fan stops are event-specific
A concert hall, official pop-up, museum exhibition or merchandise store may be a legitimate place to visit, but its opening hours and admission rules do not transfer to the label’s headquarters. Use the address stated on the actual event notice, not the corporate address copied from an old article.
Keep entrances clear and avoid filming people without permission. Fans usually get a better travel experience from a public performance venue or authorized exhibition than from waiting outside an office hoping to encounter a performer.
Auditions and trainee applications
SOURCE MUSIC is a girl-group-focused label, but that does not mean it continuously accepts every style of application or that all historic audition formats remain valid. Recruitment notices, including targeted auditions, can change their age and residence requirements.
Use the current official SOURCE MUSIC notice or verified HYBE audition page to check whether an application window is open. Applicants should prepare unedited performance material, check video and photograph requirements, and confirm how their personal information will be handled before submission.
Underage applicants should involve a parent or guardian. Unofficial accounts promising direct contact with artists, guaranteed acceptance or paid preferential selection should not be considered valid audition routes.
Frequently asked questions
Which group is currently associated with SOURCE MUSIC?
LE SSERAFIM is the current flagship group listed on the official 2026 company website.
How many members are in LE SSERAFIM?
Five: SAKURA, KIM CHAEWON, HUH YUNJIN, KAZUHA and HONG EUNCHAE.
Did LE SSERAFIM originally debut with six?
Yes. The debut lineup had six; the group continued as five members after a change in July 2022.
Is GFRIEND still a current exclusive SOURCE MUSIC group?
Its original contracts with SOURCE MUSIC ended in May 2021. Later reunion work does not automatically restore those contracts.
Is SOURCE MUSIC a HYBE company?
Yes, but it is a separate music label from BELIFT LAB, PLEDIS and BIGHIT MUSIC.
Where is SOURCE MUSIC’s office?
42 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, according to the company site. The office is not a regular public tourist venue.
What do the 2025 numbers represent?
They describe SOURCE MUSIC company revenue and operating profit, not HYBE consolidated income or any member’s individual earnings.
How can I audition?
Check the current SOURCE MUSIC and HYBE official audition announcements before submitting any personal data.
Official destinations and related reading
The SOURCE MUSIC official site ↗ carries company and current LE SSERAFIM information. The LE SSERAFIM ↗ A–Z page on KWaveScope covers the group in more detail. Current group credits should be checked against official dated releases.
Looking ahead
SOURCE MUSIC’s story is best told in chapters. GFRIEND’s 2015 debut gave the label a recognizable identity and a much-loved catalogue; LE SSERAFIM’s 2022 debut introduced a new concept and another generation of performers. Treating both fairly means keeping each project’s contract history and musical style clear.
The company is connected to HYBE but continues to operate with its own artist credits. A carefully updated profile will follow the five members’ actual releases and explain the older records as history, rather than conflating every HYBE girl group or every anniversary event with the current SOURCE MUSIC roster.
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.