The Mae Kyung Media Group, including comprehensive programming channel MBN, has completed a 18 billion won investment in the comprehensive entertainment corporation Artist Group, solidifying the strategic partnership between the two companies.
On the 21st, Artist Group and Mae Kyung Media Group announced through a disclosure that the full amount of Mae Kyung Media Group's 18 billion won investment in Artist Group has been paid. Last month, Artist Group and Mae Kyung Media Group had announced a strategic partnership to aggressively target the global K-content market.
With the completion of the investment from Mae Kyung Media Group, Artist Group has secured stable production funds and will actively start building an "all-in-one system" that encompasses content production, distribution, and broadcasting through collaboration with MBN. The comprehensive entertainment company Artist Group and the media platform MBN have announced various activities such as strengthening content production and capabilities and expanding content business opportunities with the "studio system," leading to expectations for the birth of "MBN Studio," which is expected to become the "second Studio Dragon."
As the "MBN Studio," Artist Group is striving to establish a unique position while accelerating the transformation of the K-content market. First, Artist Group will showcase its presence as "MBN Studio" through the drama "First Lady," which is set to air on MBN in the second half of 2025.
The new MBN drama "First Lady" (screenplay by Kim Hyung-wan, directed by Lee Ho-hyun, produced by Studio Jidam, Artist Studio, and Roadshow Plus) tells the story of an unprecedented event in which a husband elected as president demands a divorce from his wife, who is to become the first lady. After a preparation period of about six years, "First Lady" announces the birth of a spectacular masterpiece, featuring the excellent writer Kim Hyung-wan, who has previously worked on the dramas "Dream High 2," "Hide Identity," and the movie "Superstar Gam Sa-yong," along with trusted actors Yujin, Ji Hyun-woo, and Lee Min-young.
There is keen interest in whether Artist Group, reborn as MBN Studio, will discover globally competitive content and rise as a prestigious production company leading the excellence of Korean content worldwide.
An official from Artist Group noted, "By receiving an investment of 18 billion won from Mae Kyung Media Group, including MBN, we have laid a crucial foundation to further enhance our content competitiveness," and said, "Starting with the upcoming drama 'First Lady' this second half, we will continue to produce groundbreaking and creative works that will lead the trends in the K-content market."
[Photo] OSEN DB, Artist Studio, MBN
[OSEN]