SM Entertainment enters into a strategic alliance with Hong Kong's Media Asia Group Holdings Limited

On September 3, SM Entertainment and the biggest entertainment enterprise in Hong Kong, Media Asia Group Holdings Limited, entered into a strategic alliance for a Korean-Chinese joint business through the signing of a contract at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.

It was attended by Lee Soo Man, Peter Lam, Fubon Group's Richard Tsai, celebrities like Kangta, Siwon, Victoria, Suho, Chanyeol, and Zhang Li Yin, as well as artists signed under Media Asia Group Holdings Limited. As a result of this alliance, EXO, f(x), and Zhang Li Yin will be promoting in China under the exclusive management of Media Asia Group. Of course, other artists as well as actors under SM Entertainment will also be working with Media Asia Group.

Lee Soo Man said, "For generations, Korea and China are two countries that have been as close as brothers. Using this arrangement as an opportunity, I hope that this would be a chance for Korea and China to understand each other through the sharing of culture."

SM Entertainment and Media Asia Group also revealed the establishment of Dragon Tiger Capital Partners L.P., a media and entertainment investment fund created for the funding of projects in China, such as movies, dramas, and TV programs.

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Media Asia, SM Entertainment form strategic allianceMedia Asia, SM Entertainment form strategic alliance

4 Sep – Hong Kong's Media Asia Group and South Korea's showbiz giant SM Entertainment have recently formed a strategic alliance through an agreement of cooperation.

According to China's People News, the press conference, which took place at the People's Great Hall in Beijing on 3 September, was also attended by Media Asia chief Peter Lam, SMEnt CEO Lee Soo-man, Kbro Media's Lo Wing Fai, as well as stars from both countries, including Leon Lai, Kangta, Super Junior's Choi Si-won, EXO's Suho and Park Chan-yeol, and f(x)'s Chinese member, Victoria.

In his speech during the opening of the conference, Leon expressed his delight to be able to witness the collaboration between the two entertainment giants.

"As you all know, China's film market is thriving and this year's revenue has been estimated over RMB 28 billion, which is the second largest in the world," he said. Meanwhile, SM Entertainment's CEO, Lee Soo-man expressed his hopes that the strategic alliance will create an opportunity for both Korea and China to understand each other through the sharing of culture.

The two companies also revealed the establishment of Dragon Tiger Capital Partners L.P. - a media and entertainment investment fund created with the objective to fund projects in China, including movies, dramas, and TV programmes.

In addition to that, the event announced that Media Asia China will also hold the exclusive rights to SMEnt's stars such as Super Junior-M, EXO, f(x), and singer Jang Ri-in.

In related news, "SMTown Live World Tour" will be taking place at the Shanghai Stadium on 18 October, featuring artistes such as BoA, DBSK, Girls' Generation, SHINee, EXO, and more.

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Asian Trio Launch Fund To Break Into China MarketAsian Trio Launch Fund To Break Into China Market

HONG KONG – A trio of Asian companies has launched a film and TV production investment fund and committed to working together to break in to the China market.

Hong Kong’s Media Asia, South Korean music and talent management giant SM Entertainment and Taiwan cable TV network operator Kbro signed the deal Wednesday in the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing.

Initial capital for the Dragon Tiger fund is some $20 million, but is expected to increase to $100 million. SM and Media Asia are designated as co-managers, and Fubon, a diversified financial group that is Kbro’s parent, is named as co-founder.

The fund will invest jointly in film and TV productions, that are either made in China, or are specifically targeted at Chinese-language audiences.

The deal strengthens the connections between Media Asia and Fubon. In February this year Fubon and Kbro bought a 14% stake in Hong Stock Exchange-listed Media Asia. That puts it’s the Taiwanese pair as junior partners to Hong Hong property tycoon Peter Lam and a fund controlled by billionaire Alibaba boss Jack Ma. Media Asia CEO, Jeffrey Soong is also a former advisor to Fubon.

Since his arrival at Media Asia two years ago, Soong has aimed to create discreet slates of films that can be securitized and packaged for investors.

In addition to the production deal struck Wednesday, Media Asia will serve as the exclusive Chinese agent for SM’s talent. These include, including the bands Super Junior, f(x) and EXO.