HYBE JAPAN has launched a new music label, JCONIC, positioning it as a central pillar in the company’s next phase of growth in Japan. Established on January 1, 2026, the label is built around a single goal: developing artists who can become defining cultural icons of their era, shaped by Japan’s aesthetics, creative discipline, and market realities rather than imported templates.
This initiative comes as part of HYBE’s “HYBE 2.0” strategy, a global expansion framework that emphasizes localized growth through a “Multi-home, Multi-genre” approach. Under this model, HYBE aims to tailor its entertainment businesses to the distinct characteristics, tastes, and cultural foundations of each region. For Japan, this means building a multi-label system capable of producing and managing unique artistic identities that can resonate both domestically and internationally.
The Vision Behind JCONIC
The name JCONIC (pronounced “J-conic”) reflects the label’s core philosophy: “creating icons that symbolize the era from Japan.” Rather than simply launching another music label, HYBE JAPAN has positioned JCONIC as a creative hub where strategy, production, and artist management integrate tightly with Japan’s distinctive aesthetic sense, precision, and cultural ideology. The company intends to focus on all facets of artist presence—music, visuals, style, messaging, and public impact—to nurture performers who can define generational trends.
At the helm of JCONIC’s leadership is Kenji Shima, appointed as Representative Director, with JEFF MIYAHARA serving as Head of Creative. Both bring deep experience in the Japanese entertainment landscape, reinforcing HYBE JAPAN’s commitment to long-term, locally grounded artistic growth.
Restructuring HYBE JAPAN’s Label System
With JCONIC’s formation, HYBE JAPAN’s internal business structure has been reorganized to support specialized artist ecosystems rather than a singular, centralized management model. Previously, both the groups &TEAM and aoen were managed under YX LABELS—HYBE JAPAN’s longstanding label subsidiary.
As of January 1, 2026:
&TEAM continues under YX LABELS, led by Han Hyun-rock, who remains Representative Director and CEO of HYBE JAPAN and of YX LABELS itself.
aoen, a rising Japanese boy group, has been moved to JCONIC as its first official artist roster member, positioning the group to benefit from a label that is fully optimized for Japan’s domestic market and cultural context.
The restructuring aligns with HYBE’s broader global ambitions under HYBE 2.0, encouraging each regional segment to innovate on its own terms while still contributing to the company’s international footprint.
Who Is aoen? A First Look at JCONIC’s Flagship Act
aoen, stylized in all lowercase, is a Japanese J-pop boy band formed in 2025 through the reality-competition program “Oen-High: Dream Start Line,” broadcast on Nippon TV. The seven-member group—Yuju, Ruka, Gaku, Hikaru, Sota, Kyosuke, and Reo—officially debuted with their single The Blue Sun on June 11, 2025, attracting attention as one of Japan’s new generation pop acts tied to a global label infrastructure.
The group’s transfer to JCONIC signals HYBE JAPAN’s intention to give aoen a tailored development path, potentially with added resources for creative and promotional support focused specifically on Japanese cultural resonance.
HYBE 2.0 and the Broader Strategy
JCONIC’s launch is one piece of the HYBE 2.0 blueprint, which prioritizes regional autonomy and cultural specificity while maintaining HYBE’s global ambitions. The overarching framework includes diversified entertainment units across Asia, the Americas, and beyond, each designed to operate with strategic independence reflective of local audiences and market conditions.
Under HYBE 2.0, the company continues to test new business models and revenue strategies, from innovative fan engagement approaches to tailored content pipelines that reflect regional tastes. JCONIC’s establishment underscores how HYBE intends to balance global scale with authentic, locally informed artistry.
Looking Ahead
By creating JCONIC, HYBE JAPAN is signaling a commitment to long-term cultural contribution rather than short-term commercial success alone. The label’s focus on “icons of the era” suggests an ambition to shape not just charts and sales but fashion, media presence, and broader cultural trends in Japan and, eventually, beyond.
