Hybe Acquires 56.1 pct Stake in AI Sound Startup Supertone

This photo, taken on June 15, 2022, shows the headquarters of Hybe, the agency of K-pop supergroup BTS, in Seoul. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — Hybe Co., the Korean entertainment agency behind supergroup BTS, said Tuesday it has invested 45 billion won (US$36.5 million) to acquire 56.1 percent of stake in Supertone, an artificial intelligence (AI) sound startup.

Hybe first acquired a 18.2 percent stake in Supertone in 2021 and made an additional investment to become its largest shareholder.

Supertone is known for advanced AI sound technology capable of synthesizing realistic voices that can sing, which was introduced on local music programs.

Hybe said the acquisition was aimed at creating a synergy effect between the two companies to enhance its content business.

“We have high expectations in creating new content that would combine Supertone’s AI voice synthetic technology, which enables realistic acting and singing, and Hybe’s production know-how,” Hybe CEO Park Ji-won said in a release.

(Yonhap)