K Wave Media Subsidiary Solaire Partners Selected to Manage $28 Million IPTV Fund, Signaling New Era for K-Content Market
K Wave Media's (NASDAQ: KWM) subsidiary Solaire Partners has been selected to manage a $28 million IPTV fund backed by Korea's three major IPTV operators. The fund aims to invest in 3-4 major films annually and revitalize the IPTV VOD market.
Solaire Partners, known for investing in successful films like 'Parasite', will manage the 'Solaire IPTV Video Investment Fund' to secure high-quality content and accelerate content delivery to viewers. The initiative comes as IPTV platforms face challenges from OTT growth, dropping from second to fourth place in movie viewing preferences between 2018-2023.
The strategic move follows KWM's acquisition of AI-powered company Rabbit Walk, strengthening its integrated entertainment ecosystem across content production, investment, and marketing.
La controllata Solaire Partners di K Wave Media (NASDAQ: KWM) è stata scelta per gestire un fondo IPTV da 28 milioni di dollari sostenuto dai tre principali operatori IPTV della Corea. Il fondo punta a investire in 3-4 film di rilievo all'anno e a rivitalizzare il mercato VOD IPTV.
Solaire Partners, nota per aver investito in film di successo come "Parasite", gestirà il "Solaire IPTV Video Investment Fund" per assicurare contenuti di alta qualità e accelerare la distribuzione verso gli spettatori. L'iniziativa arriva mentre le piattaforme IPTV affrontano la concorrenza degli OTT, scivolando dalla seconda alla quarta posizione nelle preferenze di visione di film tra il 2018 e il 2023.
La mossa strategica segue l'acquisizione da parte di KWM della società AI Rabbit Walk, rafforzando il suo ecosistema integrato di intrattenimento nella produzione di contenuti, negli investimenti e nel marketing.
Solaire Partners, filial de K Wave Media (NASDAQ: KWM), ha sido seleccionada para gestionar un fondo IPTV de 28 millones de dólares respaldado por los tres principales operadores IPTV de Corea. El fondo pretende invertir en 3-4 películas importantes al año y revitalizar el mercado VOD de IPTV.
Solaire Partners, conocida por invertir en éxitos como "Parasite", administrará el "Solaire IPTV Video Investment Fund" para asegurar contenido de alta calidad y acelerar su entrega a los espectadores. La iniciativa surge cuando las plataformas IPTV enfrentan desafíos por el crecimiento de los OTT, pasando del segundo al cuarto puesto en preferencias de visionado de películas entre 2018 y 2023.
La medida estratégica sigue a la adquisición por parte de KWM de la empresa de IA Rabbit Walk, fortaleciendo su ecosistema integrado de entretenimiento en producción de contenido, inversión y marketing.
K Wave Media(NASDAQ: KWM)의 자회사 솔레어 파트너스가 한국의 3대 IPTV 사업자가 후원하는 2800만 달러 규모의 IPTV 펀드 운용사로 선정됐다. 이 펀드는 연간 3~4편의 주요 영화에 투자해 IPTV VOD 시장을 활성화하는 것을 목표로 한다.
'기생충' 등 흥행작에 투자한 경력이 있는 솔레어 파트너스는 고품질 콘텐츠 확보와 시청자에 대한 콘텐츠 제공 가속화를 위해 'Solaire IPTV Video Investment Fund'를 운용할 예정이다. 이번 이니셔티브는 OTT 성장으로 인해 IPTV 플랫폼이 어려움을 겪으며 2018년부터 2023년 사이 영화 시청 선호도에서 2위에서 4위로 밀린 상황에서 나왔다.
이번 전략적 결정은 KWM이 AI 기반 기업 Rabbit Walk를 인수한 데 따른 것으로, 콘텐츠 제작·투자·마케팅 전반에 걸친 통합 엔터테인먼트 생태계를 강화한다.
La filiale Solaire Partners de K Wave Media (NASDAQ: KWM) a été choisie pour gérer un fonds IPTV de 28 millions de dollars soutenu par les trois principaux opérateurs IPTV de Corée. Le fonds vise à investir dans 3 à 4 films majeurs par an et à revitaliser le marché VOD IPTV.
Solaire Partners, connue pour avoir investi dans des films à succès comme « Parasite », gèrera le « Solaire IPTV Video Investment Fund » afin d'assurer des contenus de haute qualité et d'accélérer leur diffusion auprès des spectateurs. L'initiative intervient alors que les plateformes IPTV sont confrontées à la progression des OTT, passant de la deuxième à la quatrième place des préférences de visionnage de films entre 2018 et 2023.
Cette décision stratégique suit l'acquisition par KWM de la société d'IA Rabbit Walk, renforçant son écosystème intégré de divertissement autour de la production de contenus, de l'investissement et du marketing.
Solaire Partners, eine Tochtergesellschaft von K Wave Media (NASDAQ: KWM), wurde ausgewählt, einen 28-Millionen-Dollar-IPTV-Fonds zu verwalten, der von Koreas drei großen IPTV-Anbietern unterstützt wird. Der Fonds will jährlich in 3–4 große Filme investieren und den IPTV-VOD-Markt beleben.
Solaire Partners, bekannt für Investitionen in erfolgreiche Filme wie „Parasite“, wird den „Solaire IPTV Video Investment Fund“ verwalten, um hochwertige Inhalte zu sichern und die Auslieferung an die Zuschauer zu beschleunigen. Die Initiative kommt, während IPTV-Plattformen aufgrund des Wachstums von OTT zurückfallen und zwischen 2018 und 2023 von Platz zwei auf Platz vier der Filmpräferenzen gerutscht sind.
Der strategische Schritt folgt auf KWMs Übernahme des KI-Unternehmens Rabbit Walk und stärkt dessen integriertes Entertainment-Ökosystem in den Bereichen Content-Produktion, Investment und Marketing.
- None.
- IPTV market experiencing significant revenue decline in paid VOD
- Market position deterioration from 2nd to 4th place in movie viewing preferences (2018-2023)
Insights
KWM's subsidiary lands major $28M fund management role, strengthening position in Korean entertainment while diversifying revenue streams.
K Wave Media's subsidiary Solaire Partners has secured a significant position as the general partner managing a
The timing of this partnership is particularly strategic. Korean IPTV platforms have been losing market share to streaming services, dropping from the second most popular movie viewing method in 2018 to fourth place by 2023. This fund directly addresses this challenge by creating a mechanism to secure premium content and reduce holdback periods - the time between theatrical release and IPTV availability - which has been a critical disadvantage for these platforms.
The fund's structure reveals a focused investment approach, targeting 3-4 films annually as the main investor. This concentration allows for meaningful influence over distribution timelines while maintaining quality control. The
For KWM, this appointment integrates perfectly with their vertical integration strategy. Following their acquisition of AI-powered content company Rabbit Walk, KWM is methodically building an ecosystem spanning content creation, investment, and distribution. The fund management role enhances their industry positioning while potentially generating management fees and providing privileged access to premium Korean content, which continues to demonstrate global appeal.
While the press release doesn't specify financial projections, fund management typically generates both base management fees and potential performance incentives, creating a new revenue stream that complements KWM's existing business operations while strengthening their position in the competitive Korean entertainment industry.
The venture capital firm behind ‘Parasite’ and ‘Spring of Seoul’ will manage a joint fund backed by Korea’s three leading IPTV operators, aiming to finance 3–4 major films each year.
NEW YORK and SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solaire Partners, a subsidiary of K Wave Media (NASDAQ: KWM) and the venture capital firm known for investing in acclaimed films 'Parasite' and '12.12: The Day', has been selected as the general partner (GP) to manage a KRW 40 billion (~USD
The fund formation represents a strategic initiative to revitalize the IPTV VOD (Video on Demand) market, which has faced challenges from the rapid growth of OTT platforms, and to establish a sustainable ecosystem for Korea's video content industry.
Key Highlights of the Fund
• Strategic Focus: The 'Solaire IPTV Video Investment Fund' aims to secure high-quality content optimized for IPTV platforms while accelerating the delivery of the latest releases to viewers.
• Market Context: The IPTV market has experienced a significant revenue decline in paid VOD, particularly in the film genre, due to content supply delays and viewer migration to OTT platforms. IPTV dropped from the second most popular method for movie viewing in 2018 to fourth place in 2023.
• Investment Strategy: Solaire Partners plans to:
- Focus investments on top-performing genres in IPTV paid VOD
- Adjust holdback periods through main investments to enable earlier content distribution
- Diversify content portfolio across dramas, variety shows, and other genres
- Invest 3-4 films annually as the main investor
- Target AI, VFX, and content technology companies for future growth
Proven Track Record
Solaire Partners brings over 13 years of accumulated film industry data for quantitative analysis, combined with qualitative insights from a team with over 100 years of collective content industry experience. The firm's portfolio includes blockbuster successes such as 'Parasite', '12.12: The Day', 'Exhuma', and 'The Roundup: No Way Out'.
Strategic Vision & Growth Opportunities
Following KWM's recent acquisition of AI-powered digital content company Rabbit Walk, this fund management appointment strengthens the group's value chain spanning content production, investment, and marketing.
“This milestone reinforces K Wave Media’s commitment to building a vertically integrated entertainment and digital asset ecosystem,” said Ted Kim, CEO of K Wave Media. “Through Solaire Partners, we’re strategically investing in content that resonates with audiences worldwide while enhancing long-term value for our shareholders and ensuring synergy among our existing portfolio of seven exceptional companies.”
"This IPTV fund represents the first step in creating a virtuous cycle where platforms and content producers thrive together while viewers enjoy greater satisfaction," said a representative from Solaire Partners. "We will leverage our content investment capabilities and extensive network to drive the resurgence of the IPTV market and expand the reach of K-content globally."
About K Wave Media
K Wave Media (KWM) is a publicly listed entertainment and Bitcoin treasury company dedicated to creating, distributing, and monetizing high-quality content across multiple platforms. Since going public in 2025, KWM has focused on strategic growth initiatives, including investments in production houses, digital platforms, and digital asset treasury management.
About Solaire Partners
Solaire Partners is a leading content-focused venture capital firm and subsidiary of K Wave Media, specializing in film and entertainment investments. Known for its data-driven investment approach and industry expertise, Solaire Partners has established itself as a trusted partner in Korea's entertainment industry with a track record of backing numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful productions.
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication and on the current expectations of the Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements could include changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions.
If any of these risks materialize or the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company does not presently know, or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations, plans and forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this communication, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein and the risk factors of the Company described in the Company's Form 20-F initially filed with the SEC on May 14, 2025, as amended, including those under "Risk Factors" therein. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
Media Contact:
Investor Relations: info@kwavemedia.com
Evan Sneider: esneider@redroosterpr.com
FAQ
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