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HYBE’s video games subdivision HYBE Interactive Media has secured ₩30 billion ($21 million) to expand the South Korean entertainment group’s footprint in the sector.
The investment was led by MM Investment, which contributed ₩15bn ($10m) of that sum in follow-on funding. Shinhan Venture Investment and Daesung Private Equity also joined as new investors.
Funding will go towards marketing, operations, localisation strategies and live services for its titles. HYBE aims to further establish itself in the industry by leveraging its K-pop artist IPs.
The company’s artists have already appeared in first-party games such as BTS Island: In the SEOM and ASTRA: Knights of Veda, in addition to Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch 2.
MMORPG money
The latest investment has propelled HYBE Interactive Media’s total funding to $100m to date, following an $80m Makers Fund-led round in August 2024.
After the latest round, HYBE Interactive Media will continue to work on “a number of gaming projects” including an MMORPG titled Architect: Land of Exile. Investor anticipation for this title played a key role in the most recent investment deal, it said.
The company stated that it will be “doubling down” on efforts to ensure key titles are successful.
“This additional funding marks a pivotal moment in strengthening HYBE IM’s global competitiveness in both game publishing and development,” said HYBE IM president Wooyong Chung.
“We aim to evolve beyond IP-based gaming and become a next-generation publisher delivering compelling content to gamers worldwide.”
