Ju Jun Yeol’s Grave Keeping & Korean Show Ratings Surge: Zhang Lan’s Comments Shock

The Korean entertainment landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with actor management increasingly viewed as economically unsustainable while K-pop continues to thrive. This trend reached a notable point in 2025 with major companies like YG Entertainment and C-JeS Studio exiting the actor management business entirely.

C-JeS Studio, previously representing high-profile actors including Seol Kyung Gu, Ra Mi Ran, and Ryu Jun Yeol, officially announced on April 24, 2025, its plans to phase out its actor division. This followed a similar decision by YG Entertainment earlier in January of the same year, citing structural reorganization and financial strain. The move by C-JeS Studio is particularly noteworthy given the caliber of talent it represented.

Ryu Jun Yeol, born September 25, 1986, in Suwon, South Korea, is a prominent figure in the South Korean entertainment industry. He began his acting career in 2012 with independent films, including Socialphobia (2015), before gaining widespread recognition through the television series Reply 1988 (2015-2016). His performance in Reply 1988 earned him the Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actor.

Since his breakthrough role, Ryu Jun Yeol has appeared in a string of successful films, including The King (2017), A Taxi Driver (2017), Believer (2018), The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019), and The Night Owl (2022). He also starred in the two-part action films Alienoid (2022) and Alienoid: Return to the Future (2024), and the series The 8 Show (2022).

Prior to his acting career, Ryu Jun Yeol led a diverse working life, holding various part-time jobs while studying film at the University of Suwon on a scholarship. These jobs included working as an after-school teacher, a pizza delivery person, and a day laborer. He also completed his mandatory public service duties between 2007 and 2009.

The decision by C-JeS Studio to exit actor management reflects a broader trend of economic challenges within the Korean actor management industry. While the reasons are complex, the shift highlights the growing financial strength of the K-pop industry. The agency’s move came after years of representing Ryu Jun Yeol, who has also been recognized with inclusion in the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list for three consecutive years: 14th in 2017, 36th in 2018, and 11th in 2019.

As of June 2025, Ryu Jun Yeol is managed by United Artist Agency (UAA) following the signing of an exclusive contract. This transition underscores the ripple effect of larger agency restructuring within the Korean entertainment industry. The changes at C-JeS Studio and YG Entertainment signal a potential reshaping of how actors are represented and managed in South Korea, with a growing emphasis on the financial stability offered by the K-pop model.

The current situation raises questions about the future of actor management in Korea and the potential impact on established and emerging talent. While the K-pop industry continues to expand its global reach, the challenges faced by actor management companies suggest a need for adaptation and innovation to remain competitive. The industry is watching closely to see how these changes will unfold and what opportunities they will create for actors and agencies alike.

The shift also comes at a time when Korean dramas and films are gaining international recognition, as evidenced by the ongoing discussions and reviews found on platforms like Dramabeans and Reddit. However, the financial benefits of this increased global attention don’t necessarily translate into sustainable business models for traditional actor management companies.