Jiwon Kim of SM and Seon Jeong Shin of Big Hit Named Winners at Billboard Women in Music in the US

Kim Ji-won, Chief Risk Officer (left), and Choi Jeong-min, Chief Growth Officer. Provided by SM Entertainment

Jiwon Kim, Chief Relations Officer (CRO), and Jungmin Choi, Chief Global Officer (CGO) of SM Entertainment, along with Seon Jeong Shin, CEO of Big Hit Music, have been named as honorees for the '2026 Billboard Women in Music' by Billboard in the United States.

On April 17 (local time), Billboard announced this year’s honorees on its official website. 'Billboard Women in Music' annually recognizes female artists and executives who have driven innovation and change in the music industry.

From SM Entertainment, Kim and Choi were listed as winners in the 'Label, Distribution, and Artist Services' category. Both individuals have now been included for two consecutive years, following their recognition in 2025. Last year, the group aespa was also selected as 'Group of the Year.'

Kim, the CRO, is a public relations expert who has developed external PR and marketing strategies for SM artists and the company since the 2000s. Through strategic media planning, she has enhanced the value of artists and elevated global awareness of K-pop.

Choi, the CGO, is a global business expert who has overseen branding and business development in overseas markets such as the Americas, Europe, and Asia. By building partnerships with local subsidiaries and collaborators, Choi has contributed to the expansion of the global fandom and the strengthening of SM’s business presence.

Seon Jeong Shin, CEO of Big Hit Music. Provided by HYBE

At HYBE, Seon Jeong Shin, CEO of Big Hit Music, and Mitra Darab, CEO of HYBE x Geffen Records, were selected as honorees in the 'Multi-Sector' category.

The 'Billboard Women in Music 2026' awards ceremony will be held on April 29 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.