Status Active Official website Official Site Founder E-Tribe | Genre K-pop Founded 2008 Country of origin South Korea | |
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Location 37-5 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Distributors CJ E&M Music Performance Division, LOEN Entertainment, Sony Music, KT Music, Imagine Asia (2016–) Artists Dal Shabet, Park Subin, Woohee, Ah Young, Serri | ||
Happy Face Entertainment (Hangul: 해피페이스 엔터테인먼트) is a South Korean entertainment agency established by Ahn Myung-won and Kim Young-deuk, better known as the music production duo E-Tribe, on August 15, 2008.
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2008-2010: Establishment, debut of Nassun & mainstream breakthrough
Happy Face Entertainment was established on August 15, 2008, as Harvest Entertainment (풍년 엔터테인먼트). The agency changed their name to Happy Face Entertainment on January 23, 2009.
The agency debuted their first artist, Nassun, through Lee Hyo-ri's 2008 smash hit U-Go-Girl, which was produced by E-Tribe. This single launched E-Tribe, Nassun, and the agency into mainstream popularity.
On January 5, 2009, Girls' Generation released the single Gee, which was produced by E-Tribe. The single experienced enormous success, charting at number one on South Korea's Gaon Chart for two straight months and claiming over ten year-end awards. A Japanese version of the song was released in 2010 with composition credits still belonging to E-Tribe.
Rap-pop duo One Two (previously established in 2003), signed a contract with Happy Face Entertainment in early 2009. The duo released "Starry Night", "Bad Girl (ft. Seo In-young), "Walala Lalale", and "Very Good" before their disbandment in late 2010.
The agency briefly worked with HybRefine and Sanchez, now known as Phantom, in 2010 to produce the singles "You Can Fly", "Cosmic Dance", "Rain U", and "Sanchez-San Toi".
2011-2013: Debut of Dal Shabet & merger with Y-WHO Enterprise
Following the success of E-Tribe's productions, the agency made the decision to debut their first idol girl group, Dal Shabet. E-Tribe exclusively produced Dal Shabet's releases until their fifth extended play, Have, Don't Have. The group managed to continue E-Tribe's success and went on to win various awards, including 'Best Newcomer Artist' at the 2011 Golden Disk Awards and 2011 BUGS! Music Awards.
On May 4, 2011, it was announced that Happy Face Entertainment would be merging with Y-WHO Enterprise, small entertainment agency founded by ex-4men member, and current Vibe member, Yoon Min-soo. With this merger, Y-WHO Enterprise artists 4men, Bebe Mignon and MIIII officially became label-mates of Nassun and Dal Shabet.
It was revealed in mid-2012 that Bebe Mignon members Haegeum and Park Ga-Eul had left the agency, effectively disbanding the group. Ben has since been re-debuted by the agency as a solo artist.
2014: Addition of Yeon Mi-Ju, Nam Hyun-joon, Park Aeri & debut of MINX
Actress Yeon Mi-Ju of the hit television series Lovers signed an exclusive contract with Happy Face Entertainment on May 21, 2014.
On July 31, 2014, famous breakdancer and recording artist Nam Hyun-joon and his wife Park Aeri joined the company.
On September 15, 2014, it was revealed that Happy Face Entertainment would be debuting their second idol girl group. The group, named MINX, is set to debut with the song "Why Did You Come to My Home?".
2017: Debut of Dreamcatcher
In November 2016, Happy Face Entertainment announced that MINX was to re-debut as Dreamcatcher. On January 13, 2017, the 7-member girl group officially debuted with the release of their first single album 'Nightmare'.