Next Entertainment World

What Next Entertainment World does

Next Entertainment World Co., Ltd. (NEW) is a KOSDAQ-listed (ticker 16055) South Korean integrated entertainment conglomerate founded in 2008 and headquartered in Seoul's Gangnam district. The company operates through multiple wholly-owned subsidiaries spanning the full entertainment value chain: NEW Movie (film investment, production, and domestic theatrical distribution), Studio NEW (drama and series production for global streaming and Korean broadcasters), Music NEW (music production, artist management, and digital/physical distribution via logistics centers in Gimpo), Contents Panda (international content licensing and overseas theatrical distribution to 190+ countries), CINE Q (premium cinema chain with seven regional locations), NEW ID (digital platform and technology services), and Engine Visual Wave (VFX services). Its content library includes three of Korea's all-time top-grossing films (7번방의 선물 with 12.81M domestic viewers, 변호인 with 11.37M, and 부산행 with 11.56M) and award-winning dramas such as Moving, Descendants of the Sun, and Doctor Cha Jung Suk.

The company's business model is multi-format and multi-window: it monetizes content through domestic theatrical box office, international pre-sales licensing fees, remake rights (e.g., 7번방의 선물 remake in Spain and Indonesia; The Villainess adapted as an Amazon TV series), exclusive streaming licensing to Netflix and Disney+, broadcast licensing to Korean networks (JTBC, tvN, SBS, KBS), digital music distribution fees on global platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, QQ Music) and Korean platforms (Melon, Genie, Bugs), music streaming royalties, and cinema ticket sales at its CINE Q theaters. GTM motion combines enterprise field sales for streaming and broadcast deals, channel partnerships for international theatrical distribution, and consumer-facing digital and physical distribution for music.

Financially, NEW reported FY2025 consolidated revenue of 142,653 hundred million KRW, with operating profit of 2,654 hundred million KRW, marking a return to profitability after operating losses of 18,957 hundred million KRW in 2024 and 5,583 hundred million KRW in 2023. The company has raised capital from strategic and financial investors including China Huaxue Media (535 billion KRW in 2012), KT Skylife and seven VC firms (343 billion KRW in 2020), and a 220 billion KRW round into Studio NEW in 2023 that valued the production subsidiary at approximately 2,000 billion KRW (~$1.5B). The company employs 101–250 people and operates regional offices primarily in Seoul with logistics centers in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province.

Name

Next Entertainment World

Legal name

주식회사 넥스트엔터테인먼트월드

Website

https://its-new.co.kr

Company type

Public

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Next Entertainment World (NEW) is a KOSDAQ-listed South Korean integrated entertainment conglomerate operating across film (NEW Movie), drama series (Studio NEW), music distribution (Music NEW), premium cinema (CINE Q), and global content licensing to 190+ countries (Contents Panda), serving Netflix, Disney+, and Korean broadcasters JTBC, tvN, and SBS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Production & Distribution

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Royalty, Reporting & Revenue Share Administration (MPADALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Entertainment Distribution (Digital: TVOD/EST) (MPADAJAE), Co-Production & Distribution Partnerships (Pre-Sales, Output Deals) (MPABANAI), Usage Reporting, Reconciliation & Royalty Accounting (Statements, Audits) (MPAHALAN)

Keywords

• Film production distribution
• Drama series production
• Music content distribution
• Theatrical exhibition
• International content licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Film Production & Investment: NEW's Movie division invests in and produces Korean films, managing investment, production, and domestic theatrical distribution. The division has produced blockbuster hits including <7번방의 선물> (12.81M viewers), <변호인> (11.37M), <부산행> (11.56M), and <안시성>. Revenue is generated through domestic theatrical box office, domestic rights sales, and international pre-sales.
2. Drama / Series Production: Studio NEW produces drama series for Korean broadcasters (JTBC, tvN, SBS) and global streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+). Revenue streams include production fees, licensing fees to platforms, and domestic broadcast licensing. Key productions include <태양의 후예>, <보좌관>, <미스함무라비>, <오 마이 베이비>, <무빙>, <닥터 차정숙>, <굿파트너>, <폭군>, <화인가 스캔들>.
3. Music Production & Distribution: Music NEW (뮤직앤뉴) operates music production, artist management, online/offline music distribution, logistics, and performance business. Revenue is generated from physical album sales, digital music distribution fees, artist management commissions, and concert/investment activities. Physical distribution is managed through dedicated logistics centers in Gimpo, Gyeonggi.
4. Global Content Sales & International Distribution: Content Panda handles international pre-sales, overseas distribution, and remake rights sales for Korean films. Films are exported to 190+ countries. Revenue is generated through pre-sales licensing fees, overseas theatrical distribution revenue shares, and remake rights fees. Notable deals include Netflix global exclusive deals for films like <강철비>, <악녀>, and series like <보좌관> and <낙원의 밤>.
5. Theater Operations (CINE Q): CINE Q operates premium cinema theaters across Korea (Sindaerim, Gumi, Cheonan, Cheongna, Dongtan, etc.), generating revenue through ticket sales, concessions, and theater advertising. The chain positions itself as a regional community-focused premium cinema experience.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Next Entertainment World is an integrated Korean entertainment conglomerate that invests in, produces, and distributes films, dramas, and music content through wholly-owned subsidiaries including NEW MOVIE, Music NEW, Studio NEW, Contents Panda, and CINE Q. The group generates revenue from domestic theatrical box office, international pre-sales to 190+ countries, streaming licensing to platforms like Netflix and Disney+, broadcast licensing to Korean networks, physical and digital music distribution, and premium cinema operations across Korea.

Product overview

NEXT ENTERTAINMENT WORLD (NEW) is a content media group operating as a platform-plus-subsidiaries architecture with multiple distinct business units. The core portfolio includes: NEW MOVIE (movie production, investment, and theatrical distribution), 뮤직앤뉴 (comprehensive music business from production through physical/digital distribution with logistics operations), 스튜디오앤뉴 (drama and film production studio with Disney+ partnerships), and 콘텐츠판다 (global content licensing and overseas sales to 190+ countries). Supporting operations include 씨네Q (premium cinema chain with multiple theater locations), 뉴 아이디 (digital platform and technology services), 엔진비주얼웨이브 (VFX visual effects), and 뉴 포인트 (additional content production). The company distributes content across theaters, streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+), IPTV/VOD services, and physical retail channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NEW MOVIE: Film investment, production, and distribution division
• NEW MUSIC
• NEW STUDIO
• NEW CONTENTS PANDA
• NEW CINEQ
• NEW ID
• 브라보앤뉴 (Bravo&New)

Products and services

• NEW MOVIE (영화사업부) Film production, investment, distribution, and marketing division managing Korean theatrical releases from development through box office. Handles investment, production management, domestic distribution strategy, and PR/marketing promotion for Korean cinema audiences. Produced blockbuster titles including 7번방의 선물 (12.81M viewers), 변호인 (11.37M), and 부산행 (11.56M).
• Music NEW (뮤직앤뉴) Comprehensive music content business including planning, marketing, investment, production, online/offline distribution, artist management, and concert/performance business. Operates logistics centers in Gimpo, Gyeonggi with ERP systems for physical album, DVD, MD, and Blu-ray distribution. Distributes across global digital platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube) and Korean platforms (Melon, Genie, Bugs).
• Studio NEW (스튜디오앤뉴) Global content production studio creating Korean dramas and films for major platforms including Disney+, JTBC, tvN, SBS, Netflix, and KBS. Produced acclaimed series including Moving (무빙), Doctor Cha Jung Suk (닥터 차정숙), Military Prosecutor Doberman (너와 나의 경투수업), A Shop for Killers (화인가 스캔들), The Tyrant (폭군), and films The Witch Part 2 and Gwi-Ga Ja. Holds long-term Disney+ content partnership.
• Contents Panda (콘텐츠판다) Global content licensing and distribution platform handling digital distribution (IPTV, VOD, internet, mobile), film investment/production, foreign film imports, and overseas sales to 190+ countries. Specializes in pre-selling Korean films to international distributors and acquiring/selling remake rights globally. Notable: The Witch Part 2 pre-sold to 124 countries; The Black Nun to 160 countries; Zombie Daughter to 22 countries.
• CINE Q (씨네Q) Premium cinema chain offering differentiated movie theater experience with luxury seating, reserve and suite screening formats. Multiple locations across Korea including Sindaerim (30 premium seats with Lines 1 and 2 station access), Gumi Bonggok, Cheonan Bulldang, Cheongna, Dongtan, Namyangju Dasan, and Gyeongju Bomun. Includes parking and concessions with permanent promotional partnerships with SK Telecom and LG U+.
• NEW ID (뉴 아이디) Digital platform and technology partner connecting NEW content with global markets through digital content and platform services. Provides digital technology solutions within the NEW ecosystem.

Quantifiable outcome

• <7번방의 선물> achieved 12.81M domestic viewers, <변호인> 11.37M, <부산행> 11.56M — three of Korea's top-grossing films.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Disney (Disney+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudio NEW entered into a long-term content partnership with Disney for drama series production and global distribution. Studio NEW has produced multiple series exclusively for Disney+ platform including <너와 나의 경찰수업>, <무빙>, <화인가 스캔들>, and <폭군>.
• Artist Company (아티스트컴퍼니)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudio NEW entered into a drama co-production contract with Artist Company, a Korean entertainment agency, for joint development and production of drama content.
• KCOC (국제개발협력민간협의회)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCINE Q entered into an affiliation agreement with KCOC (Korea Civil Society Organization for International Development Cooperation) for cultural exchange initiatives.
• SK Telecom & LG U+minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCINE Q established permanent promotional partnerships with major Korean telecom operators SK Telecom and LG U+, offering telco-cinema bundled promotions to customers.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Studio Dragon: Studio Dragon is Korea's leading drama production studio and CJ ENM subsidiary, producing marquee series for the same Korean broadcasters (JTBC, tvN, SBS) and global streaming platforms that Studio NEW supplies. It competes directly for premium Korean drama commissions.
• SM Entertainment: SM is one of the top K-pop entertainment groups, with a global music catalog and digital distribution footprint that closely parallels Music NEW's business. NEW Music competes for the same artist rosters, distribution rights, and global platform deals.
• YG Entertainment: YG is a Korean music and entertainment company operating artist management, music production, and global digital distribution. It competes with Music NEW for Korean and international artist distribution relationships and global platform placements.
• Lotte Entertainment: Lotte Entertainment combines Korean film distribution, production, and a national theater chain, mirroring NEW's combined Movie distribution and CINE Q cinema operations. It is a close like-for-like competitor for both distribution windows and exhibition capacity.
• JYP Entertainment: JYP is a global K-pop entertainment platform with artist management, music production, and worldwide distribution. As one of Korea's "Big 4" labels, it competes directly with Music NEW for streaming distribution deals and artist signings.
• Showbox: Showbox is a Korea-based film production and distribution company with a domestic and international slate comparable to NEW Movie. The two compete head-to-head for Korean box office leadership and for international pre-sales of Korean titles.
• SLL (Studio S): SLL (formerly SBS Contents Hub) is a Korean drama and film production/distribution company pursuing the same OTT and theatrical windows as Studio NEW and Contents Panda. It is a scaled domestic peer in the content production/sales business.

Broad incumbents

• CJ ENM: CJ ENM is Korea's largest integrated entertainment conglomerate, spanning film/drama production (Studio Dragon), theatrical exhibition (CGV), OTT (TVING), and music. It is the dominant competitor across nearly every NEW business segment and the natural scale benchmark for an integrated Korean entertainment rollup.
• HYBE: HYBE is the largest Korean entertainment platform (BTS, etc.), spanning music, content production, and IP monetization across formats. While music-led, its integrated content strategy is a competitor to NEW's vertically combined entertainment thesis at greater scale.

Regional players

• A24: A24 is a US-headquartered independent film/TV studio and distributor that similarly monetizes distinctive global IP across theatrical, streaming, and licensing windows. While US-geography-led, its content-plus-distribution strategy and slate economics most closely resemble NEW's studio + Contents Panda combination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/movie_n_NEW
• Facebookfacebook.com/ContentsPanda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Next Entertainment World