Kakao Entertainment said on the 27th that it has named Ko Jeong-hee, former head of the artificial intelligence (AI) group at KakaoBank, as a new co-CEO and will shift to a dual leadership structure with Jang Yoon-jung and Ko Jeong-hee. The new co-CEO is scheduled to take office officially at the end of March after a shareholders meeting and board meeting. Co-CEO Kwon Ki-soo will resign for personal reasons.
Under the new leadership, Kakao Entertainment will focus on global expansion and upgrading its platforms and services around IP such as music, story, and media.
New co-CEO designate Ko Jeong-hee, born in 1974, graduated from the department of Korean language and literature at Seoul Women's University. Ko worked at Korea Information & Communication and Starbridge Communication in 1999 before joining Daum Communications in 2002. After serving on Kakao's strategy support team, Ko held roles as head of service, chief service officer (CSO), and chief strategy officer (CSO) at KakaoBank, and most recently led the AI group at KakaoBank.
In particular, Ko gained platform business experience by overseeing community services such as Daum Cafe and Blog and operating services at the Japan subsidiary, and led service innovation at KakaoBank that strengthened user convenience and stability. By introducing various Conversational AI services, Ko spearheaded AI innovation in the financial sector. Going forward, the plan is to focus on strengthening competitiveness through advancing Kakao Entertainment's platform and service strategies and driving innovation.
Co-CEO Jang Yoon-jung, born in 1980, graduated from the department of English at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Jang worked at Frost & Sullivan, then served as vice president and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Korea and as head of the Asia hub. Jang joined Kakao Entertainment in 2021 as GSO and head of Kakao Entertainment America, and concurrently served as CBO at SM Entertainment in 2023. Since 2024, Jang has been co-CEO and global head of Kakao Entertainment.
Co-CEO Jang Yoon-jung will focus more on IP and global business. Jang has diversified overseas activities for artists from Kakao Entertainment and SM Entertainment and expanded global fandoms, while broadening the influence of the K-culture industry by expanding the global distribution network for K-pop. Going forward, Jang plans to focus on securing global mega IP, detail the global roadmap across all business areas—music, story, and media—and pursue new business opportunities.
Co-CEO Jang Yoon-jung and new co-CEO designate Ko Jeong-hee said, "We will enhance synergy across businesses based on premium IP and differentiated platform services to strengthen our competitiveness in the global entertainment industry."