On December 9, Galaxy Corporation, the entertainment-tech company home of G-Dragon, officially joined South Korea’s unicorn club, reaching a massive ₩1 trillion (around USD 740 million) valuation. This milestone signals more than financial success. It marks a powerful shift in how AI, entertainment, and intellectual property (IP) are reshaping Korea’s creative economy—and potentially Asia’s next innovation wave.
Galaxy Corporation Secures ₩100 Billion Ahead of IPO
G-Dragon’s agency, Galaxy Corporation, announced the successful completion of a ₩100 billion pre-IPO investment round. This achievement instantly elevates its valuation to unicorn status. This figure represents a dramatic leap from its ₩500 billion valuation in 2023, effectively doubling the company’s worth in just over a year.
The funding attracted heavyweight investors, including Korea Investment & Securities, Shinhan Venture Investment, and Nvestor, alongside global players such as ADATA (Taiwan) and Star Plus Legend Holdings (Hong Kong).
What truly turned heads? Every investment was made through common stock, not redeemable preferred shares—a rare move in Korea’s startup scene and a strong vote of confidence in Galaxy’s long-term vision.
Founded in 2019 by CEO Choi Yong-ho with just ₩1 million in capital, Galaxy has now raised a total of ₩180 billion. The company is preparing for a KOSDAQ listing in 2026.
How G-Dragon Transformed Galaxy into Korea’s Fastest-Rising Enter-Tech Company
Galaxy Corporation brands itself as a next-generation “Enter-Tech” company, blending entertainment with advanced technology across four key pillars: Media, IP, Commerce, and Technology.
The company’s turning point came in 2023, when G-Dragon (GD) signed with Galaxy after leaving YG Entertainment. Since then, his world tour, luxury brand collaborations, and headline-making appearances—including a live performance at the APEC 2025 Leaders’ Banquet—have significantly boosted Galaxy’s global visibility.
Financially, the impact has been dramatic. Revenue reportedly surged from ₩41.6 billion in 2023 to ₩126 billion in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, the company swung from a ₩19 billion net loss to a ₩13 billion profit. The turnaround reflects Galaxy’s ability to scale content using AI and monetize IP more efficiently.
AI, AR, and Global Collaborations Power Galaxy’s Growth
Beyond G-Dragon, Galaxy has expanded its talent roster to include actor Song Kang-ho and variety star Kim Jong-kook, strengthening its cross-industry appeal.
The company is also pushing boundaries with technology. In April, Galaxy partnered with Microsoft to produce G-Dragon’s latest music video using AI-powered tools. It has further reinforced its tech credentials through R&D collaborations with KAIST and the launch of an Enter-Tech Research Institute, focusing on machine learning, content automation, and IP data analytics.
Why Investors Are Betting Big on Galaxy Corporation
Industry insiders point to Galaxy’s fusion of creativity and technology as the key reason behind investor enthusiasm. Unlike many entertainment startups, Galaxy isn’t built on short-term hype—it’s developing scalable, data-driven IP ecosystems.
CEO Choi Yong-ho, now recognized as Korea’s youngest unicorn founder, emphasized the company’s ambition to expand globally through AI-driven platforms.
“We aim to grow into a comprehensive Enter-Tech enterprise that combines Super IP with AI technology to lead the next era of global creative innovation,” he shared in recent media reports.
Galaxy Corporation and the Rise of Korea’s Creative Tech Economy
Galaxy’s unicorn moment reflects a broader trend in South Korea, where creative industries and AI technology are converging into a new economic engine. Supported by initiatives from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), Enter-Tech is quickly emerging as a globally competitive sector.
Rather than relying solely on one-time cultural exports, companies like Galaxy are building recurring revenue models through licensing, data-driven content, and global IP circulation.
The Enter-Tech Blueprint for Korea’s Next Unicorns
Galaxy Corporation’s rise isn’t just about hitting a ₩1 trillion valuation—it represents the official arrival of Korea’s Enter-Tech era on the global stage.
As the boundaries between music, media, commerce, and AI continue to blur, Galaxy proves that the next wave of Korean unicorns may come not from traditional deep tech or manufacturing—but from the fusion of culture and computation.
And with G-Dragon at the center of it all, one thing is clear: Korea’s creative future just got a lot more intelligent—and a lot more global.
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