‘From Ginkgo Bed to Tazza’ Ilshin Venture Capital Forms Content Investment Fund

300 Billion Blind Investment Method
Hyundai Future Lab, Interpart, Daekyo, etc. Participate as LPs
Targeting Drama, Performance, Animation
Content Veteran Executive Director Choi Ji-hyun Plays Key Role

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Ilsin Venture Capital, a traditional powerhouse in the cultural content investment market, has established its first blind fund this year. Despite the increased difficulty in fundraising amid the economic downturn, it secured various private funds as well as policy institution investments. It is strengthening the content industry by quickly deploying investment capital.

According to the investment banking (IB) industry on the 29th, Ilsin Venture Capital formed the ‘Ilsin New Adventure Investment Association’ with a scale of 30 billion KRW. The anchor limited partner (LP) is the Korea Venture Investment Corporation’s mother fund, which contributed 18 billion KRW. Additionally, strong LPs such as Seoul Business Agency (SBA), Hyundai Future Lab, Interpark, Daekyo, Megabox, and drama production company High Ground were secured.

The lead fund manager is Executive Director Jihyun Choi. He is a veteran investment officer who has continuously led content investments since joining Ilsin Venture Capital in 2001. Director Jinkook Kim is also listed among the core operating personnel.

Ilsin Venture Capital made investments simultaneously with the fund formation. It deployed 2 billion KRW to drama production companies and drama projects. Along with dramas, it plans to invest in performances, animations, webtoons, and other broadcasting sectors. Besides these primary investment targets, it is also exploring IT and service sectors as non-purpose investments.

The Ilsin New Adventure Investment Association is the first blind fund to appear in several years since the 2019 ‘Ilsin New Korean Wave 3rd Investment Association’ (total raised amount 22 billion KRW). Previously, series funds were formed under the name ‘New Korean Wave.’ The goal is to also develop ‘New Adventure’ into a series in the future.

Ilsin Venture Capital, established in 1990, is a first-generation domestic venture capital firm. It is also famous as the first financial capital to enter the domestic film industry. The full-fledged film investment ecosystem was established after investing in the 1995 film Ginkgo Bed. Following the success of the Ginkgo Bed investment, various venture capital firms entered the film industry.

Major film portfolios include Ginkgo Bed, Contact, Christmas in August, My Heart’s Piano, Once Upon a Time in High School, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, and Tazza: The High Rollers.

As the ‘eldest brother’ figure, Ilsin Venture Capital has emerged as an absolute leader in the domestic cultural content market, including films and dramas, since the 2000s. Due to its considerable experience, many veteran investment officers in the cultural content field are alumni of Ilsin Venture Capital. Although its assets under management (AUM) are not large, it maintains a strong presence through steady investments.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.