The company was founded in 2014 by Son Dong-hoon under the name MMO Entertainment (MMO standing for Music Makes One, the slogan of CJ ENM's flagship music channel Mnet).[1]
In September 2018, MMO and CJ ENM founded Off the Record Entertainment (Korean: 오프더레코드 엔터테인먼트) to manage Iz*One (now disbanded) and Fromis 9. Pledis Entertainment was involved in the creative direction and music production of both while they were in Off the Record until Pledis CEO withdrew from being involved with Iz*One after April 2020[2] (Fromis 9 continued to be in the label until they fully transferred to Pledis in August 2021). Iz*One and Fromis 9 are debut groups of Mnet's girl group survival shows Produce 48 and Idol School, respectively.[3]
2020–2021: Name changes, launch
In March 2020, the company name was changed to Onefect Entertainment.[citation needed]
In May 2021, CJ ENM launched 'WakeOne'. In August, CJ ENM officially launched the label while integrating their in-house production and management labels Stone Music Entertainment, One Effect Entertainment, Studio Blu, and Off the Record.[4][5] In the same months, Fromis 9 were transferred to Pledis Entertainment.[6] Following their terminated management contract with n.CH Entertainment by CJ ENM in early 2021, TO1 were transferred to WakeOne in May 2021 (after the company reorganization in the same month).[7]
On October 25, it was announced that WakeOne would co-manage the winner of the Girls Planet 999 group, Kep1er, with sister company Swing Entertainment. The group's contract will last for two years and six months.[8] In December 2021, former RBW composer and producer Park Woo-sang transferred to the label.[9]
2022–2023: New artists join the company
In October 2022, 2AM's Lim Seul-ong signed a contract with WakeOne for his solo activities.[10]
In January 2023, Dance crew Mbtious signed with the company.[11]
In April 2023, nine members were selected through reality show Boys Planet to debut as the group Zerobaseone and would managed by WakeOne for two years and six months.[12]
2024–present: Merging with Swing Entertainment
On April 3, 2024, WakeOne announced that it would merge with Swing Entertainment with this going into effect on June 1. WakeOne is the surviving entity after the merger.[13]
In July 4, 2024, seven members were selected through the reality show I-Land 2: N/a to debut as Izna would be managed by WakeOne and will be produced by The Black Label and become their first non-temporary girl group with a standard contract.[citation needed]
^Jeong, Ji-won (September 21, 2023). 웨이크원, 김재환 활동 모두 전담 "10월 亞공연·12월 컴백"(공식) [Wake One, in charge of all Kim Jae-hwan's activities, "Performance in October, Comeback in December" (Official)]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved September 21, 2023.
