Yujin Group bets W2tr on media, targets W500b in sales within 5 years

Yujin Group said it plans to invest more than 2 trillion won ($1.32 billion) in its media business, which it is positioning as a core pillar of the conglomerate's future. Building on its acquisition of YTN, the group aims to expand beyond broadcasting and content into data, commerce, events and real estate development. It also set a target of reaching 500 billion won in media-segment sales within five years.

Yujin ENT, the group's media holding company, unveiled the plan Thursday at a press briefing at Yujin Group's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. As a first step, the group will conduct a 30 billion won rights offering in Yujin ENT this year to build it into the operational hub of its media expansion. It then plans to invest more than 2 trillion won in acquiring additional specialized media outlets — particularly in the K-lifestyle space — converting acquired media to AI-driven operations and establishing media and content investment funds.

The planned investment breaks down into 1.2 trillion won for content and 800 billion won for business operations. Yujin Group said it intends to rebalance its revenue mix — currently split roughly 80-20 between content and business sales — to a 60-40 ratio by 2030. Combining YTN, Yujin ENT and Studio Eugenia, the group is targeting more than 500 billion won in media-segment sales within five years.

Yujin Group entered the media industry last year when it acquired a 30.95 percent stake in YTN for approximately 320 billion won. The move adds media — a sector with global expansion potential — to a portfolio previously centered on ready-mixed concrete, building materials distribution and financial services.

The push into media reflects the group's view that traditional broadcasting revenue models have hit a ceiling. Citing data from the Korea Broadcasting Advertising Corporation, Yujin Group noted that the domestic broadcast advertising market shrank more than 20 percent, from 4.05 trillion won in 2021 to 3.22 trillion won in 2024, and is projected to fall another 20 percent to 2.56 trillion won by 2026.

While advertising and license-fee revenue weaken, Yujin Group argues that the spread of generative AI and digital platforms is raising the value of verified information. The group has defined the media industry as a "trust-based business" — one that treats credible, verified information as a core asset and extends into adjacent areas such as data, commerce, events and licensing.

Yujin Group cited the growth of US-based Penske Media Corporation as a reference model. PMC acquired legacy media brands including Billboard, Variety and Rolling Stone before expanding into data, live events and licensing to become a global media group. Yujin Group said it plans to adapt that structure to the Korean market and the public-interest obligations of domestic media under what it calls the "Yujin Media Virtuous-Cycle Growth Structure."

The group said it will focus capital on broadening its business footprint while increasing investment in news infrastructure to strengthen credibility — the core asset of any media operation. Expanding investigative and in-depth reporting, as well as providing industry data analysis, were also listed as priorities. The execution roadmap is structured in three stages: securing trust assets, enhancing media value and adding high-value businesses. YTN will be developed into a platform strengthening data and content on the Korean economy and industry, grounded in objectivity, fairness and credibility. The group is also reviewing the acquisition of additional specialized media outlets in the K-lifestyle space.

The group will also integrate capabilities from its affiliates. Financial subsidiaries including Yujin Investment & Securities will pursue fund formation drawing on their investment experience in media and AI. Studio Eugenia will be developed into a K-content creative hub. The digital transformation expertise of Yujin ITS and the AI and automation technology of TXR Robotics will be applied to media operations and data utilization.

Yujin Group is also expanding overseas partnerships. It signed an MOU with US-based Sinclair Broadcast Group in April. Last month, it held discussions with the National Association of Broadcasters and the Federal Communications Commission on K-content distribution, and said it is in talks about entering the North American media market.

Real estate development was also presented as a new revenue stream. The group plans to renovate YTN Seoul Tower into a landmark for Korean culture. It also intends to expand into B2B and B2G industrial data services, forums and awards ceremonies, and retail and commerce businesses leveraging content intellectual property and media brands.

"In an environment transformed by the age of AI agents, the traditional media business model dependent on advertising and license fees is bound to face limits," said Kang Hee-seok, chief executive of Yujin ENT. "The trust that a good media company has built over many years has become a rare asset that is difficult to replace."

Kang added that Yujin Group would build "a media-based comprehensive platform that provides content and data on Korean industries, connects capital and global networks — and the acquisition of YTN is the starting point of that strategy."