알파경제 - SM Entertainment Acquires Additional Stake in DearU, Strengthening Fan Platform Business

Photo = SM entertainment

[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SM Entertainment announced on Friday that its board of directors has approved the acquisition of an additional 11.4% stake in fan communication platform company DearU, making it a consolidated subsidiary.


With this acquisition, SM now holds a total of 45.1% of DearU shares, including the 33.7% previously owned by its subsidiaries—SM Studios, SM Japan, and Everysing Japan. This move aims to strengthen SM’s management control over DearU and maximize synergies between the two companies.


The decision aligns with SM’s "SM 3.0" strategy, which focuses on expanding its intellectual property (IP) business. Enhancing its fan platform is a key initiative under this strategy.


DearU operates the private 1:1 messaging service "Bubble", which connects artists with fans. As of Q3 2024, Bubble has secured 2 million paid subscribers and has become Korea’s leading fan communication platform, with 600 artists from 157 agencies participating. In October last year, DearU entered a strategic partnership and service agreement with Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME), China’s largest music platform, marking a major step toward global market expansion.

알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)