This article was published on Sept. 17, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. on Signal, a capital markets news service.
Creative Mut, a content technology company, has begun raising up to 30 billion won ($21.6 million) in a pre-initial public offering round. The company blends artificial intelligence and virtual reality into concerts and exhibitions. With K-pop gaining popularity overseas, its improving earnings are expected to accelerate an IPO next year.
The company is aiming to close the deal by the end of September, according to investment banking sources on the 17th. It is in talks with a number of venture capital firms and financial investors, with a target of as much as 30 billion won. An overseas investment firm is arranging the deal, and existing shareholders have signaled they will take part, sources said. Creative Mut previously raised 12 billion won in a Series A round in 2024 from Woori Venture Partners, Kolon Investment and SL Investment. The industry values the company at around 100 billion won.
Creative Mut is a content solutions company founded in 2020 by Chief Executive Kim Tae-hwan, a former television producer. It drew attention from the entertainment industry by applying AI and VR technology to advertising and exhibitions, its core businesses. Last year it staged digital media exhibitions for the singers IU and G-Dragon, and this year it presented a media exhibition in an underground space at Seoul Plaza marking the 20th anniversary of the boy band Big Bang's debut. It also planned a "digital gosa table" exhibition — referencing the traditional Korean ritual table set out to wish for good fortune at store openings — when the Italian luxury brand Gucci opened its second standalone store in Korea, in the Hannam-dong area of Seoul's Yongsan district, in 2021.
Earnings have improved as K-pop artists expand their activities abroad. Creative Mut posted consolidated revenue of 49.3 billion won last year, up 230% from a year earlier. Operating profit swung to a gain of 3.8 billion won. The company plans to prepare for a KOSDAQ listing next year on the strength of the pre-IPO round. NH Investment & Securities is the lead underwriter.
