HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang Named Recording Academy Professional Member in Grammy Expansion
HYBE Corporation CEO Lee Jae-sang has been appointed as a Professional Member of the Recording Academy, marking another significant step in the K-pop giant's strategic expansion within the organization that presents the Grammy Awards.
What Professional Membership Means
Professional membership is reserved for senior figures in the music business, including executive producers, label executives, journalists and educators. Members in this category may submit works for Grammy consideration and propose rule changes for the awards. This gives Lee direct influence over Grammy submissions and potential policy changes.
The Recording Academy, founded in 1957, has organized the Grammy Awards since 1959. Each year, the academy accepts membership applications from industry professionals, with new members chosen through peer review.
Lee's Rise to CEO
Lee graduated from Yonsei University and previously worked at global management consulting firm Monitor Group, Hyundai Motor and Google, before joining Big Hit Entertainment, Hybe's predecessor, in 2018. Since joining Hybe's predecessor, Big Hit Entertainment, in 2018, he has held key positions at the K-pop powerhouse, including chief strategy officer and head of Hybe America.
On the morning of September 12 KST, the first extraordinary meeting of HYBE Labels shareholders was held in Mapo-gu, Seoul. On this day, Lee Jae Sang, previously Chief Strategy Officer, was officially appointed CEO of HYBE, taking over after Park Ji Won. He now leads HYBE 2.0, the company's expansion strategy beyond traditional K-pop.
His global impact was further recognized in May when he was named to Billboard's 2025 'Global Power Players" list alongside Hybe Chair Bang Si-hyuk and Hybe Latin America CEO Kah Jong-hyun.
HYBE's Recording Academy Strategy
Lee's appointment continues HYBE's systematic approach to gaining Recording Academy influence. Last month, 16 Hybe-affiliated artists and producers - including Beomjun, Zico, Seventeen's Woozi and Vernon, Tomorrow X Together's Yeonjun, Enhypen's Jungwon, Le Sserafim's Huh Yun-jin, global girl group Katseye and producers Slow Rabbit, Supreme Boi and Wonderkid - were admitted as new voting members of The Recording Academy.
This builds on existing HYBE representation, with company founder Bang Si-hyuk, all seven BTS members, and producer Pdogg already holding voting member status.
Industry Impact
The Recording Academy memberships grant ballot privileges for Grammy nominations and provide industry recognition opportunities. With Lee's professional membership and expanded artist representation, HYBE now has substantial influence over both Grammy submissions and voting processes.
HYBE stated that "The selection of new members by the Recording Academy shows the expanded influence of K-pop in the global music industry and the high status of HYBE Music Group artists and producers."
The company indicated it will continue expanding Recording Academy membership and supporting global growth for its artists and producers, signaling this institutional strategy remains a priority under Lee's leadership.