CJ ENM has formed a new joint venture with JYP CHINA and Tencent Music Entertainment as the partners look to strengthen their presence across the Greater China market. Announced on February 2, 2026, the partnership brings together CJ ENM’s experience in content creation with the local infrastructure, platforms, and market reach of JYP CHINA and Tencent Music.
The joint venture, called ONECEAD, has been established through NCC Entertainment, a company jointly created by JYP’s Chinese subsidiary and Tencent Music. ONECEAD will initially focus on artist development and management, with longer-term plans to expand into music production, live events, and merchandise.
Its first major project will be the management of MODYSSEY, a seven-member group formed through the Chinese reality show PLANET C: HOME RACE.
Tencent Music, China’s largest music streaming operator, runs major platforms including QQ Music, Kugou Music, and Kuwo Music, as well as the karaoke app WeSing.
Beyond streaming, the company is also active in areas such as long-form audio through Lazy Audio and live entertainment via TME Live, giving ONECEAD access to a broad and established ecosystem.
CJ ENM described the joint venture as a key strategic milestone in its efforts to build artist-driven businesses that resonate both regionally and globally.
Through ONECEAD, the company aims to develop a comprehensive music business spanning artist management, production, touring, and merchandise, with a long-term goal of continuously expanding artist IP and monetization opportunities in Greater China.
The company has pointed to its previous success in Japan as a model for the new venture. CJ ENM’s LAPONE Entertainment joint venture helped cultivate acts such as JO1 and INI, which combined local talent development with international appeal.
More recently, CJ ENM also partnered with Japanese advertising firm Hakuhodo to launch Chapter-I, a joint venture focused on developing music-based intellectual property.
ONECEAD also reflects a broader trend of renewed collaboration between South Korean and Chinese entertainment companies after years of strained relations. K-pop acts have reportedly faced unofficial restrictions on performing in China since around 2016 or 2017, but signs of thawing relations have emerged.
Last month, South Korean tech firm Kakao partnered with major Chinese and Japanese audio streaming platforms to launch a new K-pop Artist Chart, and in November 2025, South Korea’s national broadcaster KBS signed a media exchange and cooperation agreement with China Media Group.
Improving ties between the two countries could unlock significant growth opportunities for South Korean entertainment firms, particularly in concert ticket sales, album revenue, and merchandise, as they look beyond their domestic market amid K-pop’s continued global rise.
The launch of ONECEAD also follows a broader push by Korean labels into China, coming less than a year after HYBE officially opened a subsidiary in the country. HYBE, home to major acts such as BTS, ENHYPEN, and Seventeen, established a Beijing office in spring 2025 to support market expansion.
As of 2024, China ranked as the world’s fifth-largest recorded music market, according to IFPI, underscoring why renewed access to the region is strategically important for global music companies.
- What is the name of the joint venture established by CJ ENM, JYP CHINA, and Tencent Music?
The joint venture is called ONECEAD.
- When was the joint venture ONECEAD announced?
ONECEAD was announced on February 2, 2026.
- What will be the initial focus of the joint venture ONECEAD?
ONECEAD will initially focus on artist development and management.
- What is the first major project of ONECEAD?
The first major project will be the management of MODYSSEY, a seven-member group formed through the reality show PLANET C: HOME RACE.
- Which platforms does Tencent Music operate?
Tencent Music operates QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music, and the karaoke app WeSing.
- Why is the establishment of ONECEAD considered strategically important?
It is seen as a key strategic milestone for building artist-driven businesses in the Greater China market.
