April 26, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Netmarble Games has decided to acquire a 25.71 percent stake in Big Hit Entertainment for 201.4 billion won (US$190.10 million) to become its second-largest shareholder, according to industry sources on April 5.

Netmarble will be buying the stocks from three institutional investors -- SV Investment, LB Private Equity and Neoplux Investment Co. 

Bang Jun-hyuk, founder of Netmarble

According to industry sources, Netmarble decided to invest in the managing agency of K-pop sensation BTS for synergies, and also to expand its global presence. The two firms had formed a partnership earlier and are jointly developing a game based on the boy band called “BTS World.”

Analysts were mostly positive about the latest development.

“Netmarble will be able to further strengthen its global business and its own game contents by using BTS’ intellectual property,” said Hi Investment & Securities analyst Kim Min-jung.

Echoing the view, Kim Mi-song, a Cape Investment & Securities analyst, noted that Netmarble’s investment is positive because of high expectations on the success of “BTS World,” which is set to be launched in the second half of the year.

By Song Seung-hyun (ssh@heraldcorp.com)