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| Ten Becomes Co-Founder of ILLIMNT as NCT and WayV Star Expands His Global Career. (Photo: MINT) |
TEN Chittaphon has added another title to an already impressive career, this time stepping into the business side of entertainment. The NCT and WayV star has officially become a co-founder of ILLIMNT, a newly launched global entertainment company built around an artist-first philosophy. Rather than simply managing performers, the company aims to create a space where music, visual art, fashion, original content and international brand collaborations can exist under one creative roof. It is an ambitious move, but then again, no one ever accused Ten of thinking small.
The newly unveiled company describes itself as an entertainment hub created "by artists, for artists", with the goal of giving creative people greater freedom to express their own identity without being boxed into conventional industry expectations.
Instead of focusing solely on talent management, ILLIMNT plans to connect multiple creative industries while encouraging artists to explore ideas that can reach audiences across languages and cultures.
As one of the company's founders, Ten also becomes the very first artist signed under ILLIMNT. His upcoming schedule already reflects the agency's global ambitions, with solo activities planned across South Korea, China, the United States and several other international markets.
At the same time, he will continue his activities as a member of NCT and WayV, ensuring this new venture complements rather than replaces his existing career.
Explaining the vision behind the company, Ten shared a statement that reflects exactly what ILLIMNT hopes to become.
He said, "ILLIMNT believes that even things which seem impossible can become reality through the power of creativity. We hope it will be a place that empowers artists to believe in themselves while discovering new possibilities, creating work that connects people, inspires audiences and goes beyond the limits of language and culture around the world."
That philosophy sits at the centre of the company's long-term strategy. ILLIMNT says it intends to prioritise artists in every stage of its management model while building partnerships with global networks to develop projects that extend beyond music into wider cultural and creative industries.
It is less about fitting artists into an existing formula and more about allowing them to shape one themselves. A surprisingly refreshing idea in an industry that occasionally treats originality like an optional extra.
For Ten, the launch marks another milestone in a career that has steadily expanded far beyond performing on stage.
Widely recognised as one of K-pop's strongest all-round performers, he has built a reputation for combining dance, vocals and artistic direction with a distinctive style that has attracted attention from both music and fashion industries.
His solo catalogue continues to grow with releases including the mini albums TEN, STUNNER, and the Japanese mini album Humanity. The title track STUNNER became one of his biggest successes, earning the Top Song of 2025, Thailand award after becoming Spotify Thailand's most-streamed song of the year.
The single also collected victories on music programmes including Music Bank, The Show, and Inkigayo Hot Stage, further strengthening his standing as a solo artist.
His achievements extend well beyond chart rankings. Ten received the Best Choice Award at the Asia Artist Awards 2024, while his solo music has accumulated more than 460 million streams, with music videos surpassing 35 million views.
Across his work with NCT, WayV and other projects, total streaming figures have exceeded 620 million, alongside more than 617 chart entries, reflecting just how consistently his music continues to find audiences around the world.
Outside music, Ten has also become a familiar face in luxury fashion. As Global Brand Ambassador for Saint Laurent, he has appeared on the covers of major international publications including ELLE MEN Fresh, GQ Thailand, Esquire Singapore, Harper's Bazaar Men, and Flaunt, proving that his influence comfortably stretches beyond the recording studio.
Fans have welcomed the announcement with considerable excitement across social media. Many praised Ten for taking greater control over his creative future, describing the launch of ILLIMNT as a natural progression for an artist who has consistently pushed artistic boundaries.
Others expressed curiosity about which performers could eventually join the company, while some joked that Ten somehow managed to add "company founder" to a schedule that already looked impossible. If multitasking were an Olympic event, supporters reckon he would probably be rehearsing during the medal ceremony.
The announcement also sparked discussion among industry observers, who see ILLIMNT as part of a growing movement where established artists seek greater influence over their own careers and creative direction.
With entertainment becoming increasingly global, agencies built around flexibility and artistic identity may become more common as performers look for ways to connect with audiences beyond traditional market boundaries.
For now, ILLIMNT begins its journey with one of K-pop's most recognisable international stars leading the way. Whether the company develops into a home for more artists or simply becomes the platform for Ten's expanding global ambitions, it has already attracted attention by putting creativity at the centre of its identity.
The bigger question now is what comes next. Do you think ILLIMNT could become one of the entertainment industry's most exciting new agencies, and which artists would you like to see join Ten in the future?