Galaxy Corporation, a Korean AI entertainment technology company whose roster includes K-pop icon G-Dragon and award-winning actor Song Kang-ho, has closed a $68 million (100 billion KRW) pre-IPO funding round. The investment puts the company’s valuation at $680 million (1 trillion KRW), elevating it to unicorn status as it gears up for an initial public offering in 2026.

The company’s valuation has skyrocketed since bringing G-Dragon on board, jumping from $340 million (500 billion KRW) in 2023 to double that in just over a year. The pre-IPO round drew strong interest from both Korean and international players, with Korea Investment & Securities serving as co-lead underwriter alongside Shinhan Venture Investment and NVestor. Cross-border investors included Taiwan-listed semiconductor firm ADATA and Hong Kong-listed Star Plus Legend Holdings Ltd.

What’s notable is that investors opted for an all-common-stock deal, showing serious confidence in Galaxy Corporation’s innovative approach and growth trajectory. The company started in 2019 with just $680 (1 million KRW) and has since raised over $122 million (180 billion KRW) in total funding, cementing its leadership position in the space.

Galaxy Corporation is carving out the entertech category by blending AI with entertainment across four business verticals: media, IP, commerce, and technology. The company has strengthened its technical credentials through R&D partnerships with KAIST and by launching a dedicated entertech research lab. Its track record includes producing major hits like KBS’s “2 Days & 1 Night,” TV Chosun’s “Mr. Trot 2,” and Netflix’s “Physical: 100 Season 2 – Underground,” with AI technology woven throughout these projects to amplify their impact.

The fresh capital will fuel upgrades to Galaxy Corporation’s AI-powered entertech platform and support international expansion. CEO Yong-ho Choi remains the company’s largest shareholder. The company recently turned heads as the only entertech firm invited to the welcome dinner at the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.