Korean virtual entertainment startup ‘23rd Century Kids’ has secured approximately 2.75 million USD(3.8 billion KRW) in seed funding. This investment round saw participation from major domestic venture capital firms, including KB Investment, Korea Investment Partners, FuturePlay, and Kakao Ventures.

The startup’s first virtual boy group, WE GO-6, is set to debut in the second half of this year. Since early this year, three members—Haeil, Siu, and Wooyeon—have been introduced sequentially, actively engaging with fans through YouTube Live and social media. With each member’s unique narrative, musicality, and creative content, the group has already built a solid fandom prior to their official debut.

With this funding, 23rd Century Kids plans to establish its own production studio and set a new direction for the virtual entertainment industry. The company intends to hire artists, video and variety show producers, and create diverse content to facilitate interaction between artists and fans. Additionally, it aims to recruit talent in game engine development and focus on advancing its technology to deliver innovative content experiences.

Expectations are high that 23rd Century Kids will deliver sophisticated entertainment content rooted in respect for artists and fans while producing high-quality virtual productions.

Sanghyuk Jang, Director at KB Investment, who led this investment, stated, “23rd Century Kids is a team of artists deeply committed to technology and art. With their advanced technology and creativity, they are poised to become a leading player in the growing virtual idol market.” Hyewon Ahn, Senior Analyst at Kakao Ventures, added, “Since their first funding round, the 23rd Century Kids team has consistently produced fresh and creative content. We will continue to support their growth journey after their official debut.”

Hyungmin Kim, CEO of 23rd Century Kids, commented, “This investment will allow us to build a production foundation to showcase WE GO-6’s musical talents and creativity. We aim to grow into an entertainment company that combines the essence of popular art with innovative technology, positively impacting the world.”