BY4M
Comprehensive content creator for media and entertainment.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | KRW13.8b Valuation: KRW160.0b | Series B | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
BY4M (BY4MSTUDIO Co., Ltd.) is a comprehensive content and entertainment company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 2017 by Yoo Kwi-sun, the company has expanded from a digital marketing firm into a multifaceted enterprise operating across publishing, film and drama production, music, and commerce. The firm leverages its significant social media presence to market its various ventures, particularly targeting audiences in their teens to thirties.
The company's business model revolves around creating and monetizing intellectual property (IP) through a "One Source Multi Use" (OSMU) strategy. This involves developing content like webtoons and novels and then expanding them into other formats such as music, dramas, and films. In 2022, BY4M entered the film industry, acting as an investor and distributor, and has been associated with successful Korean films like "Crime City 3," "Seoul Spring," and "Hitman 2". The company's strategy often involves taking calculated risks on projects and utilizing aggressive online marketing tactics to reach audiences.
BY4M has grown through acquisitions and strategic partnerships. It has established or acquired around 10 subsidiaries, including the management agency Major 9. In March 2024, it entered a joint venture with Japanese publisher KADOKAWA to translate and publish Japanese content in Korea, with KADOKAWA acquiring a 55% stake in BY4M's spun-off publishing division. The company has also expanded into talent management by establishing ABM COMPANY, which focuses on branding and developing new actors. The firm has secured over KRW 100 billion in cumulative investment from institutions such as KB Securities, Naver Webtoon, and Praxis Capital. In 2021, it was selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' preliminary unicorn program.
Keywords: content creation, entertainment, film distribution, music production, digital marketing, intellectual property, webtoons, publishing, talent management, Korean content, film investment, drama production, media mix, artist branding, K-content, comprehensive content, OSMU, social media marketing, venture capital-backed, movie distribution