Nebula17, the Los Angeles-based music company founded by former Avex USA CEO Naoki Osada, has appointed Daniel Hong as Chief Operating Officer.
According to Nebula17, Hong previously served as CEO of YG USA and COO of JYP USA, the US operations of K-pop companies YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment.
The appointment, announced on Tuesday (November 3), is part of a wider expansion that also includes a global distribution partnership with The Orchard, a Sony Music Entertainment company.
At Nebula17, Hong will work alongside Osada on company strategy, operations, and growth, while leading the company’s international division.
During his time in K-pop, he worked closely with acts including BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and GIRLSET (formerly VCHA), the company says.
“J-pop really feels ready for its moment out here – the production is incredible, the home fanbase is ride-or-die, and the sound is super fresh,” said Hong. “Having seen K-pop grow from day one gives us a solid head start, but J-pop definitely moves at its own pace.
“What’s most exciting is working with artists who are massive stars back home, yet still have that genuine hunger to try new things and build something from scratch.”
“J-pop really feels ready for its moment out here – the production is incredible, the home fanbase is ride-or-die, and the sound is super fresh.”
Daniel Hong, Nebula17
Nebula17’s other new hires include Martha Blair Reynolds as Senior Director of Marketing, René Mark as Director of Digital, and Natalie Walsh as Director of A&R.
Harukaze Wakabayashi joins as Senior Manager, International, from Warner Music Japan, where she worked on campaigns for PinkPantheress and Charli xcx.
Oscar Cornejo serves as the company’s Head Engineer, with credits including work with Tyla, Kanye West, and Willow Smith.
The partnership with The Orchard is intended to give Nebula17’s artists and partners in Japan a direct route to US and international streaming platforms.
The Orchard also distributes Avex Music Group, the global music division of Osada’s former employer, Avex, under a deal struck in February that covers all of its future releases worldwide, excluding Japan, China, and Korea.
Osada launched Nebula17 in July 2025, after more than two decades at Avex, most recently as CEO of its US division.
The company, which houses label, publishing, management, strategy, and venture capital arms, hired former RCA Records executive Rob Inadomi as President of Label and A&R in August 2025.
On the creative side, Nebula17 is leading A&R, marketing, and strategy for BEYOND BORDERs, a project led by Japanese company Dwango and built around virtual singer Hatsune Miku, with support from the Japanese government.
Released in September, the project’s EP EMERGE M♡DE MIKU paired Japanese Vocaloid producers with artists including Grimes, Odetari, and George Clanton.
Nebula17 is also handling A&R for the US launch of Japanese boy group BE:FIRST, whose first global EP, WATCH ME, debuted at No. 130 on the Billboard 200.
The EP, which features Flo Milli, BIA, and ATL Jacob, also reached No. 3 on Billboard’s World Albums chart.
“Supporting creative talent is everything to us.”
Naoki Osada, Nebula17
On the label side, Nebula17 has signed New York-based artist Hojean, whose music has generated more than 260 million streams, alongside Japanese duo XAMIYA (Xansei and Kamiya) and San Diego artist Brent de la Cruz.
Its publishing roster has added producers Oh Gosh Leotus, Hydra, and Xansei.
“Supporting creative talent is everything to us,” said founder and CEO Naoki Osada. “We’re building an ecosystem where artists and creators can connect across cultures, explore bold ideas, and reach audiences around the world.
“This expansion brings us closer to that vision, and we’ll keep pushing ourselves to make it a reality.”
At Avex, Osada oversaw publishing signings including Harv (Peaches by Justin Bieber), Jasper Harris (greedy by Tate McRae), and GENT! (Agora Hills by Doja Cat).Music Business Worldwide