Innovative Project Aims to Break Stereotypes and Promote Inclusivity in the Entertainment Industry

Courtesy of PARASTAR ENTERTAINMENT

Parastar Entertainment, founded by CEO Cha Haley in September 2020, is the sole entertainment agency in Korea dedicated to representing talented individuals with disabilities in various fields of arts and entertainment, including music, theater, and television.

Investments in Parastar Entertainment have been secured from Hana Ventures, the Korea Social Investment Foundation (KSIF), Merry Year Social Company (MYSC), and CNT Tech. Additionally, the company is B Corp certified by B Lab, an organization measuring a company’s commitment to social and environmental values.
 

▲ Cha Haley, CEO of Parastar Entertainment / Courtesy of PARASTAR ENTERTAINMENT

The genesis of the Big Ocean project, K-pop’s first trio with hearing impairments, stemmed from CEO Cha's vision to challenge traditional norms within the entertainment industry. Recognizing the potential of individuals with disabilities to thrive as idols, Cha embarked on the initiative to create a sustainable venture for Parastar Entertainment's long-term success.

Prior to Big Ocean, Parastar Entertainment primarily focused on representing talents for individual appearances or events, lacking a flagship artist to sustain long-term growth. The decision to venture into K-pop was motivated by the desire to establish proprietary intellectual property. 

▲ Members of Big Ocean / Courtesy of PARASTAR ENTERTAINMENTParastar Entertainment secured support from industry giants, including SM Entertainment and SK Telecom. SM Entertainment granted permission for Big Ocean to remake H.O.T.’s “Hope” (1998), marking the first time the agency has authorized such an endeavor. SK Telecom recognized Parastar Entertainment as one of Korea's most promising startups and showcased their business model at the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Spain.

The debut of Big Ocean is scheduled for MBC’s weekly music program “Show! Music Core” on Saturday. The trio will release two original singles in the coming months, aiming to appeal to international markets and challenge stereotypes surrounding disabilities.

Through Big Ocean, Parastar Entertainment aims to dismantle misconceptions and foster inclusivity in the entertainment industry, challenging societal prejudices and paving the way for a more equitable future.

Sayart

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com