K Wave Media Subsidiary Solaire Partners Selected to Manage $28 Million IPTV Fund, Signaling New Era for K-Content Market

NEW YORK and SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solaire Partners, a subsidiary of K Wave Media (NASDAQ: KWM) and the venture capital firm known for investing in acclaimed films 'Parasite' and '12.12: The Day', has been selected as the general partner (GP) to manage a KRW 40 billion (~USD $28 million) fund jointly financed by Korea's three major IPTV operators—KT, SK Broadband, and LG Uplus. The fund formation represents a strategic initiative to revitalize the IPTV VOD (Video on Demand) market, which has faced challenges from the rapid growth of OTT platforms, and to establish a sustainable ecosystem for Korea's video content industry. Key Highlights of the Fund • Strategic Focus: The 'Solaire IPTV Video Investment Fund' aims to secure high-quality content optimized for IPTV platforms while accelerating the delivery of the latest releases to viewers. • Market Context: The IPTV market has experienced a significant revenue decline in paid VOD, particularly in the film genre, due to content supply delays and viewer migration to OTT platforms. IPTV dropped from the second most popular method for movie viewing in 2018 to fourth place in 2023. • Investment Strategy: Solaire Partners plans to: Focus investments on top-performing genres in IPTV paid VODAdjust holdback periods through main investments to enable earlier content distributionDiversify content portfolio across dramas, variety shows, and other genresInvest 3-4 films annually as the main investorTarget AI, VFX, and content technology companies for future growth Proven Track Record Solaire Partners brings over 13 years of accumulated film industry data for quantitative analysis, combined with qualitative insights from a team with over 100 years of collective content industry experience. The firm's portfolio includes blockbuster successes such as 'Parasite', '12.12: The Day', 'Exhuma', and 'The Roundup: No Way Out'. Strategic Vision & Growth Opportunities Following KWM's recent acquisition of AI-powered digital content company Rabbit Walk, this fund management appointment strengthens the group's value chain spanning content production, investment, and marketing. “This milestone reinforces K Wave Media’s commitment to building a vertically integrated entertainment and digital asset ecosystem,” said Ted Kim, CEO of K Wave Media. “Through Solaire Partners, we’re strategically investing in content that resonates with audiences worldwide while enhancing long-term value for our shareholders and ensuring synergy among our existing portfolio of seven exceptional companies.” "This IPTV fund represents the first step in creating a virtuous cycle where platforms and content producers thrive together while viewers enjoy greater satisfaction," said a representative from Solaire Partners. "We will leverage our content investment capabilities and extensive network to drive the resurgence of the IPTV market and expand the reach of K-content globally." About K Wave Media K Wave Media (KWM) is a publicly listed entertainment and Bitcoin treasury company dedicated to creating, distributing, and monetizing high-quality content across multiple platforms. Since going public in 2025, KWM has focused on strategic growth initiatives, including investments in production houses, digital platforms, and digital asset treasury management. About Solaire Partners Solaire Partners is a leading content-focused venture capital firm and subsidiary of K Wave Media, specializing in film and entertainment investments. Known for its data-driven investment approach and industry expertise, Solaire Partners has established itself as a trusted partner in Korea's entertainment industry with a track record of backing numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful productions. Forward Looking Statements: This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication and on the current expectations of the Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements could include changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions. If any of these risks materialize or the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company does not presently know, or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations, plans and forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this communication, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein and the risk factors of the Company described in the Company's Form 20-F initially filed with the SEC on May 14, 2025, as amended, including those under "Risk Factors" therein. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Media Contact: Investor Relations: info@kwavemedia.com Evan Sneider: esneider@redroosterpr.com

K Wave Media Subsidiary Solaire Partners Selected to Manage $28 Million IPTV Fund, Signaling New Era for K-Content Market

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