Odd Atelier denies claim Jennie opened US branch in California

Odd Atelier, the management agency for Blackpink member Jennie, has denied reports that the singer opened a U.S. branch of her agency in California. The Korea Herald reported Monday that the agency refuted claims made by local media, which suggested that Jennie had established Odd Atelier’s first overseas office in California under the name OA Entertainment, Inc., which was incorporated there on October 13 and is currently active. According to the local media outlets, the California-based entity was believed to be part of Jennie’s efforts to bolster her international career, supporting her participation in high-profile global music festivals. These included events such as Coachella and Lollapalooza, both of which have drawn widespread attention in recent years. The speculation centered around the idea that the new branch would help coordinate Jennie’s growing schedule and enhance her visibility on the world stage. Odd Atelier clarified that the establishment of a U.S. branch was not accurate. When contacted by The Korea Herald, the agency stated that they had not set up a branch in the United States. Instead, they explained that they had merely obtained a tax identification number. This clarification came after local media published their findings on Sunday, citing the incorporation date and current status of OA Entertainment, Inc. Jennie has been actively expanding her presence on the global festival circuit throughout 2025. On July 9, she performed as the sole K-pop artist to headline Spain’s Mad Cool Festival, marking a notable achievement. Earlier that month, she also made history by becoming the first K-pop artist to headline Denmark’s Roskilde Festival and Poland’s Open'er Festival within the same year. These performances underscored her increasing influence and recognition beyond South Korea. Looking ahead, Jennie is set to take part in several more major events. She will perform at Lollapalooza Chicago on July 31 and August 1. Following that, she will appear at Summer Sonic 2026 in Tokyo and Osaka on August 14 and 16, respectively. These upcoming shows highlight the ongoing trajectory of her international career and the continued demand for her performances. The situation reflects broader trends in the K-pop industry, where artists increasingly engage with global audiences through extensive touring and festival appearances. While some speculate that such moves might involve structural changes to agencies or management strategies, the latest statement from Odd Atelier suggests that these developments are not necessarily tied to formal expansion into new markets. Instead, they may represent strategic steps to better manage and promote Jennie’s evolving professional landscape.