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☆ Kakao can end K-pop saga with near-$1 bln mic drop
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kakao and its entertainment arm are eyeing a 35% stake in SM via a tender offer worth $962 million. If Kakao succeeds, the company, which has the backing of SM's management, would become the label's top shareholder. Kakao Entertainment in January raised $930 million from investors including GIC in Singapore and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The envisioned partnership between Kakao, Kakao Entertainment and SM would cover global distribution, production and more for music and other content. Following Kakao's offer, SM Shares rallied 14% to 148,400 won ($114); they have nearly doubled since the start of the year.

☆ S.Korea court accepts injunction against Kakao purchase of SM shares
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, March 3 (Reuters) - A South Korean court accepted on Friday an injunction filed by SM Entertainment (041510.KQ) founder Lee Soo-man against the acquisition of SM shares by Kakao Corp (035720.KS), blocking its bid to own a 9.05% stake in the K-pop agency, Lee's lawyer said. HYBE has already secured a 15.8% stake in SM and is seeking to acquire more shares through a tender offer bid. SM's current management have called the takeover attempt hostile and has sought to team up with Kakao to pursue various businesses. SM and Kakao did not immediately reply to requests from Reuters for comment. Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; editing by John Stonestreet, Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Hong Kong/Seoul CNN —The billionaire mastermind behind some of the world’s biggest K-pop stars is pushing back on accusations that he’s trying to monopolize the Korean music industry. “It wouldn’t be correct to say that we’re trying to take over the whole industry,” Bang told CNN in an exclusive interview in Seoul. Bang Si-Hyuk, who chairs the HYBE management agency, spoke with CNN's Richard Quest on Tuesday. “When the two companies are combined, a monopoly and oligopolistic group of companies that account for approximately 66% of total market sales will be created,” it told CNN. The company would then announce the outcome and next steps, it told CNN on Friday.

☆ K-Pop’s Corporate Battle Royale Is Just Getting Started
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Jacky Wong | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

South Korea’s Hybe, the agency behind boy band BTS, is seeking to gain control of SM Entertainment. The Korean pop music industry’s corporate-takeover drama is getting juicier—and the plot twists more outrageous. But shareholders in one of K-pop’s corporate titans will likely end up with a fat payoff when the dust finally settles. South Korea’s Hybe, the agency behind boy band BTS, is attempting to gain control of one of its biggest rivals, SM Entertainment. On Thursday, it upped the ante ahead of SM’s shareholder meeting at the end of March with a bespoke website featuring an open letter to SM investors.

☆ Don't forget to take advantage of these 4 'free money' benefits, says financial expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Elizabeth Gravier | Jason Stauffer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

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Worldwide boy-band sensation BTS may be on hiatus, but refreshing new financial acts threaten to upend the world of K-pop, and perhaps South Korea. The battle over 28-year-old SM Entertainment, the $2.3 billion force behind Girls' Generation and EXO, is at heart a family feud. It helps, too, that K-pop has turned into one of South Korea’s strongest exports, thanks largely to “Butter” and “Dynamite” singers BTS. "We oppose all aggressive outside mergers and acquisitions, including Hybe," SM said in a statement, according to Reuters. Separately, internet conglomerate Kakao said on Feb. 7 it would acquire a 9.05% stake in SM via 112 billion won of new shares and 105 billion won of convertible bonds.

Align Partners' stake in SM, a pioneer in K-pop behind acts like Girls' Generation and Red Velvet, is just 1% - but still worth tens of millions of dollars. HYBE hasn't disclosed whether it intends to buy more of SM after the current tender offer. Taken together, the 40% stake would cost HYBE about 1.137 trillion won ($884 million) under current plans - though SM shares traded above HYBE's tender offer price on Thursday. Align's Lee said this would become a proxy fight, with SM's current executives wooing shareholders with plans to improve SM's sales and profitability. ($1 = 1,284.9500 won)Reporting by Hyunsu Yim and Joyce Lee; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Boy Band BTS’s Next Hit: A Boardroom Drama?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Jacky Wong | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

BTS member Jung Kook performing during the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Qatar last year. The Korean pop-music industry’s influence has swept around the world in the past couple of decades. It is also producing gripping corporate drama: A potential bidding war is brewing, involving two of the largest companies in the K-pop industry. South Korea’s Hybe, the agency behind boy band BTS, launched a tender offer on Friday to buy a quarter of its rival SM Entertainment. It has also agreed to purchase a 14.8% stake from SM’s founder Lee Soo-man.

☆ BTS agency HYBE seeks to take over K-pop rival SM Entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Heo Ran/File PhotoSEOUL, Feb 10 (Reuters) - South Korean entertainment company HYBE (352820.KS) said on Friday it will buy shares worth 423 billion won ($335 million) in rival SM Entertainment (041510.KQ), seeking management rights to strengthen its position in the K-pop industry. HYBE is the agency that manages K-pop mega band BTS. HYBE has also tendered an offer on Friday for SM shares held by minority shareholders, seeking to buy up to 25% of the rival agency with the intention of acquiring management rights. HYBE and SM Entertainment shares were up 6% and 16%, respectively, as of 11:05 a.m. (0205 GMT). Earlier this week, South Korean tech firm Kakao Corp (035720.KS) said it would acquire a 9.05% stake in SM Entertainment to pursue joint projects including global K-pop auditions.

☆ K-pop stocks soar after agency behind BTS announced it would become its rival’s top shareholder
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

South Korean girl group aespa at the 2022 KBS Song Festival at Jamsil Arena on Dec. 16, 2022, in Seoul, South Korea. The K-pop agency behind BTS is set to become the largest shareholder of SM Entertainment — the legacy company known to have kickstarted the wave of popularity around Korean pop culture. That would make Hybe a top shareholder in SM Entertainment. Shares of SM Entertainment soared on Friday, rising more than 16% at the open in Seoul. Hybe rose 6% and JYP Entertainment rose 2.5%, while YG Entertainment gained 3.8%.

Seoul/Hong Kong CNN —HYBE, the management agency behind superstar boy band BTS, will become the biggest shareholder of its K-pop rival, SM Entertainment. The South Korean entertainment giants announced the deal Friday, with HYBE set to pick up a 14.8% stake in SM Entertainment for 422.8 billion Korean won ($334.5 million). SM Entertainment’s shares soared 14.1% in Seoul on Friday, while HYBE’s stock jumped 6.4%. “This acquisition represents a major step by HYBE to integrate the global expertise of both companies to become a game changer in the global music industry,” HYBE said in a statement. On Thursday, it announced another major deal in the United States, saying it would acquire the owner of Quality Control, a hip-hop label that represents popular artists including Migos and Lil Yachty.

[1/2] People walk along the South Bank with the Houses of Parliament in the distance, in London, Britain, January 17, 2023. Some hires need vetting by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England (BoE). Britain introduced the accountability rules in 2016 in response to public anger that so few individuals were punished over taxpayers having to bail out banks in the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Regulators sought to reassure that the rules would not be used to put "heads on sticks" and discourage people from taking on senior roles. Reporting by Iain Withers and Huw Jones, editing by Sinead Cruise and Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Jefferies upgrades Philip Morris, says shares can rise nearly 20% on smokeless alternatives
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It's time to buy Philip Morris International as the Marlboro maker shifts to smokeless alternatives, according to Jefferies. Philip Morris said it expects its efforts to become the sole owner of Swedish Match will support its "ambition to deliver a smoke-free future." On the former, it is the global leader, with estimated RRP share of 23%, compared to 21% share in combustibles," Bennett wrote. Philip Morris shares are down nearly 2% in 2023, after closing last year up more than 12%. Meanwhile, the analyst's $118 price target, up from $86, suggests shares can jump another 18% from Wednesday's closing price.

"We had such a hard time, and I would rather have more Chinese people come than the government restricting their entry so I can do business." "Tour bus operators who have had their vehicles idly parked for over three years are now gearing up for (bus) inspections," said Thai Tour Bus Association President Wasuchet Sophonsatien. Thailand, Japan, the United States, South Korea, Australia, Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan were the most-searched destinations. Yue Hua Entertainment Korea, which manages Tempest, did not respond to a request for comment. "The pandemic outbreak on the mainland is still vigorous and needs time to recover, while domestic consumption remains weak on the mainland."

☆ Japan may build 2 huge warships to counter the growing missile threat from North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

That has led Japan to examine its missile defense, which relies on specially designed warships. The launches have forced Japan to examine its unique ballistic-missile defense system, which relies heavily on specially equipped warships to intercept incoming missiles. US Missile Defense Agency/Heather CavaliereJapan began developing its current BMD system in 2004. US Navy/MCS3 Quinton A. LeeThe Aegis-equipped BMD ships are the most important part of Japan's BMD system. US Navy/MCS Seaman Aleksandr FreutelThere are advantages to relying on maritime-based platforms for missile defense.

☆ 'We need to make Saudi pop music': Soo-Man Lee
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email'We need to make Saudi pop music': Soo-Man LeeSoo-Man Lee, founder of SM Entertainment, talks to CNBC's Chery Kang about his partnership with Saudi Arabia to create Saudi pop music.

☆ Soo-Man Lee on NCT plans, SuperM's comeback
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSoo-Man Lee on NCT plans, SuperM's comebackSoo-Man Lee, founder of SM Entertainment, spoke to CNBC's Chery Kang on future company plans for new NCT groups, and SuperM's pending comeback.

☆ The metaverse is the future of K-pop: Soo-Man Lee
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe metaverse is the future of K-pop: Soo-Man LeeSoo-Man Lee, founder of SM Entertainment, shares with CNBC's Chery Kang about why he believes the future of K-pop lies in the metaverse. He also talks about SM's first metaverse girl band, Aespa.

☆ Soo-Man Lee on why he founded SM Entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSoo-Man Lee on why he founded SM EntertainmentFounder Soo-Man Lee tells CNBC's Chery Kang about his vision for SM Entertainment.

☆ Man behind the Korean wave talks about the future of K-pop and what aspiring artistes can do
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Kimberley Kao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Gabriel Olsen | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images"But when foreign bands come to [South Korea to] perform, they completely took over the stage and fans went wild. Future of K-popAs for the future of K-pop, "I think the metaverse that everyone is talking about these days is the future," Lee says. SM Entertainment established a metaverse world called SM Culture Universe, and launched its first metaverse girl band, Aespa in 2020. SM Entertainment established a metaverse world called SM Culture Universe, and launched its first metaverse girl band, Aespa in 2020. Alexi Rosenfeld | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images"SM Entertainment is building 'Play-2-Create'… people can discover their creative side and create in the metaverse.

☆ South Korea's SM Entertainment plans to set up its Southeast Asia headquarters in Singapore
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Kimberley Kao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SM Entertainment declined to say how much the company is investing into its Southeast Asian expansion, but said it's "in the midst of hiring more local talents, which will hopefully increase the full-time staff count." South Korean entertainment company SM Entertainment will be setting up its Southeast Asian headquarters in Singapore as part of its expansion plans in the region. The Singapore headquarters will also be "managing joint ventures in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, as well as communicating with [its South Korea office] for other related ventures and plans." The company is also "looking at hiring local undergraduates or fresh graduates for internships." On top of that, the company plans to launch retail businesses in Singapore, including cafes, merchandise stores and pop-up exhibitions.

☆ The K-pop ETF hasn't been doing well, but its creator says Korean content is at 'inflection point'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Since its launch on Sept. 1, the KPOP and Korean entertainment ETF has not performed well — recently trading on the New York Stock Exchange Arca at $15.05 — a roughly 23% drop from its debut. Shares of Korean entertainment companies have been underperforming overall, with YG Entertainment's stock price down around 26% year-to-date and Hybe down more than 64% year-to-date. The fund is a 30-stock index, which includes entertainment companies that manage bands such as BTS, BlackPink, and Twice — their respective agencies being HYBE, YG Entertainment, and SM Entertainment. Shares of Korean entertainment companies have been underperforming overall. Johnny Nunez | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images

☆ Republica Moldova și Turcia au convenit recunoașterea reciprocă a certificatelor naționale de vaccinare
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-30 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +1 min

Sursa foto: sm.news/poză simbolRepublica Moldova și Turcia au convenit recunoașterea reciprocă a certificatelor naționale de vaccinareCetățenii vaccinați ai Republicii Moldova și persoanele cu reședința legală în țara noastră, la intrare în Turcia, vor fi scutiți de prezentarea testului PCR și nu vor fi plasați în izolare, la prezentarea unui certificat național de vaccinare împotriva covid-19, emis de autoritățile competente naționale. Ministerul Afacerilor Externe și Integrării Europene anunță despre reușita negocierilor în plan bilateral a recunoașterii reciproce a certificatelor naționale de imunizare împotriva covid-19, emise de către autoritățile competente din Republica Moldova și Turcia, urmare a înțelegerilor principiale ale șefilor celor două diplomații în cadrul recentelor contacte la nivel înalt. Turcia este cea de-a patra țară, după Ungaria, Ucraina și Georgia, cu care Republica Moldova a convenit în plan bilateral, prin schimb de note, recunoașterea reciprocă a certificatelor naționale de vaccinare. Potrivit Ministerului de Externe, diplomația moldoveană continuă prin eforturi conjugate asigurarea recunoașterii certificatelor naționale pentru a facilita circulația cetățenilor moldoveni vaccinați. Bulgaria, Spania și Muntenegru au anunțat despre recunoașterea unilaterală a certificatelor de vaccinare eliberate de către autoritățile Republicii Moldova, care sunt conforme cu standardele Organizației Mondiale a Sănătății.

Organizations: Externe, Integrării Europene, Organizației Mondiale a Sănătății Locations: Republica Moldova, Turcia, Republicii Moldova, Ungaria, Ucraina, Georgia, vaccinați, Bulgaria, Spania, Muntenegru

☆ Republica Moldova și Georgia au convenit recunoașterea reciprocă a certificatelor naționale de vaccinare
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-28 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +1 min

Sursa foto: sm.news/poză simbolRepublica Moldova și Georgia au convenit recunoașterea reciprocă a certificatelor naționale de vaccinareAutoritățile de la Chișinău și Tbilisi au convenit, prin schimb de note, recunoașterea reciprocă a certificatelor naționale de imunizare împotriva covid-19, emise de către autoritățile competente din Republica Moldova și Georgia. Anunțul a fost făcut de șeful diplomației moldovene, Aureliu Ciocoi, urmare a înțelegerii principiale atinse în cadrul întrevederii cu omologul georgian David Zalkaliani, desfășurate în marja Reuniunii ministeriale la Roma a Coaliției Globale împotriva Daesh. Georgia este cea de-a treia țară, după Ungaria și Ucraina, cu care Republica Moldova a convenit în plan bilateral, prin schimb de note, recunoașterea reciprocă a certificatelor naționale de vaccinare. Biroul de presă al Ministerului de Externe reamintește că demersuri similare prin canale diplomatice au fost înaintate ministerelor afacerilor externe ale României, Turciei, Cehiei, Greciei, Poloniei, Estoniei, Letoniei și Lituaniei. Au anunțat despre recunoașterea certificatelor de vaccinare eliberate de către autoritățile Republicii Moldova, care sunt conforme cu standardele Organizației Mondiale a Sănătății, următoarele țări: Bulgaria, Spania și Muntenegru.

Persons: Georgia ., Aureliu Ciocoi, David Zalkaliani Organizations: Daesh, Ministerului, Externe, Organizației Mondiale a Sănătății Locations: Republica Moldova, Georgia, Chișinău, Tbilisi, Roma, Coaliției, Ungaria, Ucraina, României, Turciei, Cehiei, Greciei, Poloniei, Estoniei, Letoniei, Lituaniei, Republicii Moldova, Bulgaria, Spania, Muntenegru

☆ Fundația Soros Moldova oferă grant pentru finanțarea proiectelor în domeniul Sănătății și Mediului
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-18 | by ( Alte Articole | ) www.civic.md time to read: +2 min

Fundația Soros Moldova (FSM) lansează un concurs deschis pentru a oferi un grant unei organizații care va evalua situația actuală și nevoile privind gestionarea deșeurilor rezultate din activitatea medicală, cu accent pe perioada epidemiei SARS-COV-2. Criterii de eligibilitate: Pentru participare în concurs sunt eligibile organizații apolitice, înregistrate în Republica Moldova, cu statut juridic, care pot beneficia de fonduri în mod legal. La concurs pot participa și organizații co-aplicante. În lipsa acestuia, fundația nu poartă răspundere pentru dosarele electronice expediate, dar care nu au fost recepționate. Detalii suplimentare pot fi solicitate de la Vitalie Slobozian, Coordonator, Departament Sănătate Publică, vslobozian@soros.md până la data de 2 iulie, ora 12.00.

Organizations: Soros Moldova, Organizația Locations: SARS, Moldova, Republica Moldova

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