HYBE and JYP accept foreign applicants for staff jobs; SM's careers pages do not address it. HYBE's careers FAQ says foreigners can apply if they meet the job's requirements. Korean law also requires a foreigner to hold a status of stay that allows work. The catch is language and experience. The three careers sites are in Korean, most postings ask for years of experience, and HYBE says its interviews are in Korean by default.
This guide covers staff jobs: localization, business, marketing, A&R, and similar roles. It does not cover idol auditions or trainee programs.
Start here: where to find K-pop company jobs
Seoulstart Jobs is the best place to start. It is Seoulstart's own job board. It pulls postings from the companies' own career sites into one list, so you do not check each Korean-only site one by one. It lists current postings from HYBE and its labels, JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, CJ ENM, and others. The list changes daily.
On Korea postings, Seoulstart adds a short note on the Korean level, the likely work route, and English friendliness. The note appears above the original posting. It is Seoulstart's own reading, not company policy.
Use these in order:
- Seoulstart Jobs. Open the K-pop and entertainment collection to see all companies together, then set a job alert so new postings reach you.
- The company's own careers site. Each site shows only its own jobs, and all three are in Korean. Apply here, because HYBE says applications sent by email or post are likely to be missed.
- LinkedIn and KOWORK. Search both as well.
| Company | Official careers site | Seoulstart Jobs page |
|---|---|---|
| HYBE | careers.hybecorp.com | HYBE |
| BIGHIT MUSIC | careers.hybecorp.com | BIGHIT MUSIC |
| Weverse Company | careers.hybecorp.com | Weverse Company |
| JYP Entertainment | recruit-apply.jype.com | JYP Entertainment |
| SM Entertainment | recruit.smentertainment.com | SM Entertainment |
| YG Entertainment | Careers page showed "page not found" on October 20, 2026 | Not listed |
How hiring works at K-pop companies
Postings are rolling, not yearly
HYBE, JYP, and SM hire when a team needs someone. Korean calls this rolling hiring (수시채용). HYBE says postings can close early once someone is hired. JYP says it fills roles in each field at any time. So apply soon after a posting appears, and check often.
HYBE says it has no fixed internship or open-recruitment (공채) program. It will announce one separately if it runs one.
To hear about new K-pop company postings, set up a Seoulstart Jobs alert.
How to read a posting
- 경력 N년 (N years of experience). Most postings ask for years of related work. Most HYBE postings ask for years of experience, but some say 경력 무관 (experience not required).
- 현지채용 (local hire). The job is at an overseas office and is filled in that country. A HYBE Japan A&R posting, for example, requires business-level Japanese and Korean, and the whole process runs in Japanese.
- 인재 Pool (talent pool). SM keeps an always-open application. Recruiters review résumés from time to time. SM gives no feedback unless you are invited to interview.
- Required documents. Apply through the posting itself, and upload the documents it lists.
What the process looks like
HYBE aims to tell you the document-stage result within 4 weeks of submission. Interviews are one-to-one or several-to-one and last up to about an hour. If you cannot attend in person, HYBE says you can interview by video.
Company by company
All details below are from each company's own pages on October 20, 2026. Postings change daily.
HYBE, BIGHIT MUSIC, and Weverse
HYBE's careers site lists jobs across its labels and units, including BELIFT LAB, PLEDIS, SOURCE MUSIC, and WEVERSE COMPANY. You can filter by unit, job family, experience, employment type, and work location. Its English address (careers.hybecorp.com/en/home) showed "Page not found" when we checked on October 20, 2026.
The FAQ says foreigners can apply if they meet the job's requirements. It also says all interviews are in Korean by default. Overseas entities may interview in the local language. Headquarters are in Yongsan, Seoul. HYBE America is in Los Angeles, and HYBE Japan is in Minato, Tokyo.
Two real postings show where foreign applicants fit:
- Localization. A Weverse Company posting for a Hindi Localization Specialist (Pangyo, 6-month contract) asked for 2 or more years of translation work and Korean-to-Hindi skill. A two-way translation test came before the interview.
- Global marketing. A NEWEPICBASE content marketing posting asked for business English, speaking and writing, and a required portfolio. It preferred English or Japanese for global content.
BIGHIT MUSIC is a HYBE label, and its jobs are posted on HYBE's careers site. HYBE itself was called Big Hit Entertainment until 2021. BIGHIT MUSIC and Weverse Company each have their own page on Seoulstart Jobs.
Official site: careers.hybecorp.com. On Seoulstart: HYBE, BIGHIT MUSIC, Weverse Company.
JYP Entertainment
JYP's careers site covers JYP Entertainment, Blue Garage, and INNIT Entertainment. Postings we saw included business development, legal, AI content, and marketing.
A JYP Global IPX posting shows what a global role asks for. It prefers TOPIK level 4 or higher, and it requires fluent business English. That posting asked for 5 to 10 years of experience. Some JYP postings add conditions for foreign applicants, so read that part of each posting before you apply.
Official site: recruit-apply.jype.com. On Seoulstart: JYP Entertainment.
SM Entertainment
SM had six open postings on October 20, 2026, plus the always-open talent pool. The postings included Creative Visual, a training contract, social brand marketing, corporate accounting, and A&R.
The A&R posting shows the entry end of the range. It accepted entry-level candidates or people with 1 or more years of experience. It required a bachelor's degree and the ability to travel overseas. It preferred smooth communication in English or Chinese. New hires have a 3-month probation. SM runs a sexual-offence record check on final hires and can cancel an offer if you refuse the check.
Official site: recruit.smentertainment.com. On Seoulstart: SM Entertainment.
YG Entertainment
YG's official site has a careers link (YG RECRUIT). When we checked on October 20, 2026, the careers page showed "page not found", so we cannot say what YG asks of foreign applicants. Check YG's official site (ygfamily.com) for a working careers link.
Other companies on Seoulstart Jobs
The K-pop and entertainment collection also includes CJ ENM, NAVER WEBTOON, and Makestar. We did not research their hiring terms for this guide.
Roles that fit a foreign applicant
- Localization. You need your language and strong Korean, as the Hindi example shows.
- Global business and marketing. Business English is the main requirement. Japanese helps for some roles.
- A&R with a foreign-language preference. SM's A&R posting prefers English or Chinese.
- Overseas-office local hires. You work in the language of that office. HYBE Japan hires in Japanese.
Artist-facing and fan-community roles lean on Korean, because HYBE interviews are in Korean by default. Check the Korean level in each posting before you apply. If you are building your documents, see the Korean résumé guide.
You can browse these roles across all companies on Seoulstart Jobs: marketing, design, engineering, and data.
The visa path
- Look for work on a D-10 (구직) visa. The D-10 covers job seeking for work in the E-1 to E-7 fields, except E-6 work at performance venues. A general job seeker can also do an internship. Since a Ministry of Justice change announced on October 27, 2025, there is no total cap on internship time, and one company can host you for up to 1 year. Two groups generally cannot do internships: technology start-up D-10 holders, and people who switched to D-10 after working on an E-1 to E-7 visa. See the D-10 visa guide.
- Switch to E-7 (특정활동) once a company hires you. The E-7 covers activities the Minister of Justice designates, under a contract with a company or public body. Your job must be on that designated list. Ask HR which E-7 category applies. You can also check with HiKorea or the immigration call center (1345). In 2026, the E-7-1 professional category has a wage floor of ₩31.12 million per year, from February 1 to December 31, 2026. Some occupations have a different standard set by the ministry. See the E-7 visa guide.
- Do not plan around E-6. The E-6 (예술흥행) visa is for people who perform, such as entertainers, musicians, and models. It is not for office staff.
If you hold another visa, such as an F-series visa, check what work it allows. We did not verify work limits for each F-series visa. Do not assume any visa allows any job.
Ask the recruiter about visa support before you accept an offer.
Stay safe from fake recruiters
In 2024, texts using entertainment company names, including "Big Hit," offered part-time "chart-raising" work with same-day pay. Seoul Economic Daily reported that JYP said such texts were false and told recipients to report them to the police or the Cyber Investigation unit.
- Apply only through the company's own careers site or a board that links to it.
- Do not pay any fee to apply.
- Ignore offers that ask you to boost charts, likes, or streams.
For more warning signs, see the job offer red flags guide.
A safe place to start is the K-pop and entertainment list on Seoulstart Jobs, where postings come from the companies' own career pages.
Auditions and trainee programs
Auditions and trainee programs are a different path. They have separate rules and a different visa situation. This guide does not cover them.
Next steps
- Open the K-pop and entertainment collection and set a job alert.
- Pick 2 or 3 postings that match your languages and years of experience.
- Prepare a Korean-style résumé and read the Korean job interview guide.
- For more employers, see companies hiring foreigners in Korea and best job sites in Korea.
FAQ
Can foreigners work at HYBE?
Yes. HYBE's careers FAQ says foreigners can apply if they meet the job's requirements. Korean law also requires a status of stay that allows work. Interviews are in Korean by default, and overseas entities such as HYBE Japan may interview in the local language.
Does BIGHIT MUSIC hire foreigners?
Yes. BIGHIT MUSIC is a HYBE label, so its jobs are posted on HYBE's careers site, where foreigners can apply if they meet the job's requirements. Korean law also requires a status of stay that allows work. Seoulstart Jobs lists BIGHIT MUSIC openings on their own page, and you can compare them with HYBE's careers site.
How do I apply to JYP Entertainment as a foreigner?
Apply through JYP's careers site (recruit-apply.jype.com). JYP says it fills roles at any time as needs arise. One Global IPX posting prefers TOPIK level 4 or higher and requires fluent business English. Read each posting's conditions for foreign applicants.
Do I need to speak Korean to work at SM, JYP, or HYBE?
It depends on the role. HYBE interviews are in Korean by default. The JYP Global IPX posting prefers TOPIK level 4 or higher and requires business English. The SM A&R posting prefers English or Chinese communication. See the TOPIK for jobs guide for what each level means.
Which visa do I need to work at a K-pop company?
You can look for work on a D-10 job-seeker visa. Once a company offers you a professional role, you move to an E-7 visa, if the job qualifies. The E-6 visa is for performers, not office staff.
Does HYBE, SM, or JYP sponsor visas?
It depends on the company and the role. Ask the recruiter about visa support before you accept an offer.
Do K-pop companies hire interns or new graduates?
HYBE says it has no fixed internship or open-recruitment program and will announce one separately if it runs one. Most HYBE postings ask for years of experience, but some say 경력 무관 (experience not required). A general job seeker on a D-10 visa can do an internship in a field covered by E-1 to E-7, but you need an employer that offers one. People who switched to D-10 after working on an E-1 to E-7 visa generally cannot.
Is a K-pop job offer by text message real?
Treat it as a scam. In 2024, fake texts using entertainment company names offered same-day pay for easy part-time work, and JYP said they were false. Apply only through the company's own careers site, and do not pay a fee.