[StartupRecipe]K-Content Dominates Korean Media Startup Funding in 2025

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#Weekly Funding Overview

#FUNDING

#TREND ANALYSIS

K-Content Dominates Korean Media Startup Funding in 2025

K-content remains the undisputed king in the eyes of investors, anchoring a substantial KRW 148.3 billion in funding for Korean media and content startups so far this year, according to data from Startup Recipe.

While the total figure hasn’t quite matched 2024’s exceptional showing, which was inflated by a single blockbuster KRW 120 billion won round for Spoon Labs’ Vgloo platform, the core trend is rock solid. Investors are betting big on the sector’s global growth potential, and capital is overwhelmingly flowing to ventures that can leverage the international appetite for K-pop, K-dramas, and other Korean content formats.

The year’s largest funding rounds clearly reflect this global first DNA. Four major deals alone, totaling KRW 78 billion or 55% of the sector’s total investment, share a focus on scaling K-content internationally. MODHAUS, the agency behind tripleS, and global fandom platform BEMYFRIENDS each secured a significant KRW 21 billion. Artist Group Management and entertainment tech firm Bigc followed closely, each raising KRW 18 billion. This strategic focus extends beyond traditional entertainment. Companies like K-pop specialists H Music Entertainment with KRW 3.5 billion and S2 Entertainment with KRW 5 billion also drew capital. Even tech firms like metaverse developer OneUniverse and influencer platform Doyours are pitching and securing KRW 10 billion each by centering their expansion strategy on K-content driven global growth.

Investment is also diversifying into content’s supporting cast and niche genres. For example, Meta Comedy raised KRW 10 billion for K-comedy content, while cross-media IP company Maqovil closed a KRW 4.5 billion round. The K-webtoon and web novel IP market, though no longer seeing the frenzied merger and acquisition pace of previous years, continues to attract measured investment. The rise of K-content is also spawning infrastructure plays. Companies focused on training, IP management, and commerce, such as Counter Culture Company for K-pop training, Moovment, a dance IP platform founded by BTS choreographers, and Pepper & Salt for IP commercialization, are demonstrating how K-content’s influence is permeating the entire industry ecosystem.

The K-content wave is also fueling the next generation of technology plays in the virtual content space, which is booming. 23rd Century Idols secured KRW 3.8 billion in seed funding to launch its K-pop virtual idol concept. Other virtual players like HOW3, SCON, and Stellive are using investment and M&A to push K-content formats into the metaverse. Furthermore, AI tooling is increasingly a draw for investors. Mofac Studio with KRW 6 billion, 3D motion capture firm Moovin with KRW 4 billion, and ad tech startup Dsine with KRW 4.5 billion all closed Series A rounds. Even earlier stage AI startups like Studio Meta K with KRW 2 billion and Nation A with KRW 1 billion are gaining initial backing.

Despite a year with fewer mega rounds, the Korean media and content investment scene is healthy and consolidating around a clear strategy: K-content’s proven global competitiveness. With recent hits continuing to ignite worldwide interest, K-content’s role as the anchor asset for startup funding in the sector shows no signs of weakening.

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