Dear U[b] (Korean: 디어유) is a South Korean software development company under SM Studios, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SM Entertainment. The company was formerly called Everysing and was established in July 2017. It merged with Brinicle as it emphasized the union of information technology and entertainment business. It specializes in hosting multimedia content and artist-to-fan communications for artists and offers products and services including Everysing, Lysn, and Bubble.
In July 2017, Dear U was established under the name of Everysing, which was founded by SM Entertainment with an investment of 6 billion won.[4] In September 2018, Avex invested 5 billion won on the company with a capital increase of 500 million won.[1] On January 1, 2019, the company merged with Brinicle, whose main business is software development and supply.[5] After the merger, it provided a fan community platform, Bubble, as its main service.[6] The flagship service of Dear U, Bubble, came from noting SM's experience in managing fan clubs and Brinicle's ability to develop messenger services.[7] Lee Soo-man entrusted the chief executive officer position of the company to Ahn Jong-oh, who was also the CEO of Brinicle. Additionally, Lee has increased the related manpower pool while emphasizing the combination of information technology and entertainment business.[4]
2021–present: Restructuring and stock acquisition[edit]
First Dear U logotype
On March 16, 2021, Dear U announced that they have raised the annual salary of all its employees by 15 million won.[8] The company raised its annual salary to secure high-quality manpower to develop Bubble and Lysn applications.[9] Lee Hak-hee, the chief operating officer of the company stated that Dear U is "paying attention" in "securing competitiveness" through "excellent" human resources.[10] Through a public announcement on April 5, SM Entertainment established a wholly-owned subsidiary to promote the restructuring of group affiliates and to improve business structure.[11] It was reported that SM would invest in SM Studios as it established a new corporation with all shares of SM Culture & Contents, KeyEast, SM Life Design Group, Dear U, and Mystic Story, on which it seeks to streamline group management through a responsible management system as it plans to focus more on the music business.[12][13]
On June 4, 2021, SM reported that JYP Entertainment had acquired a 23.3% stake in Dear U as it began to expand its influence in the platform business.[14][15] JYP announced the acquisition of an additional 14.1% of the old common stock of the company owned by SM Studios.[16] Previously, on May 26, JYP had an acquisition of 1,682,000 shares of the company's old common stock.[17] It had a stake of 9.1%, at about 8.4 billion won, and the final number of shares acquired was 4,285,192 shares with a 23.3% stake, and the investment amount was about 21.4 billion won.[18][19] Its goal is to grow Dear U Bubble into a competitive mobile platform in the global market, noting the "synergy" between the two companies with global networks.[20]
Previously, the entertainment industry and investment banking industry reported that Dear U is currently undergoing due diligence to apply for a preliminary examination for listing on the Korea Exchange.[21] On June 11, 2021, the company submitted a preliminary review request for KOSDAQ listing to the Korea Exchange and started the initial public offering (IPO) process.[22] It aims to be listed in the second half of this year in order to establish itself as a leading company in the global market, and the listing organizer is Korea Investment & Securities.[23] Through the IPO, the company is planning to increase its "corporate awareness" and invest in developing a global message platform that will provide various services such as entering overseas markets and expanding platforms such as metaverse.[24] It listed about 16,812,769 shares, of which near 20% will be put up for public offering.[25]
Dear U's core business, Dear U Bubble, is a service platform that receives personal messages written by artists.[26] It can be downloaded from application markets and purchase it as a regular subscription for 4,500 won per month. Starting with SM Entertainment, Dear U Bubble, which was launched in February 2020, has signed contracts with a total of 25 local entertainment companies, including JYP Entertainment, FNC Entertainment, Jellyfish Entertainment, WM Entertainment, Brand New Music, Play M Entertainment, Top Media, RBW and Mystic Story, and is currently with a total of 39 groups and 21 solo artists, with a total of 247 artists.[27] It was reported that the service has a "steady increase" in the number of subscribers, with the current share of global users reaching 70%.[28] In the future, it plans to recruit not only Korean artists, but also American and Japanese artists as it plans on continuing to expand various additional services in order to strengthen its position as a "global platform".[10]
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^ abChoi, Pil-woo (May 28, 2021). SM '디어유' 첫 흑자, '위버스·유니버스' 대항마 될까 [SM 'Dear U's First Surplus, Rival Against 'Weverse·Universe']. The Bell (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
^Kim, Yong-jae (June 15, 2021). [특징주] 에스엠 '트리플 호재'에 연일 고공행진 [[Featured Note] Marching High Day After Day on SM's 'Triple Good News']. Herald Business (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
^Choi, Pil-woo (June 7, 2021). JYP엔터, SM 디어유 '혈맹'…하이브·YG 동맹에 맞불 [JYP Entertainment, SM Dear U 'Blood Alliance'…Revenge on HYBE·YG Alliance]. The Bell (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
^Kim, Gun-woo (July 3, 2021). 하이브 뒤쫓는 SM·JYP 연합...팬덤 사로잡을 新비밀병기는? [SM-JYP Alliance Chasing HYBE...What's the Secret Weapon to Capture Fandom?]. Money Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
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^Jeong, Da-eun (March 16, 2021). SM엔터IT계열사 디어유도 전 직원 연봉 1,500만 원 인상 [SM Entertainment's IT Affiliate Dear U, Raises the Annual Salary of All Employees by 15 Million Won]. Seoul Economy (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 17, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
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^Park, Su-in (April 5, 2021). SM엔터, 비음악 사업 통합관리 자회사 '에스엠스튜디오스' 설립 [SM Entertainment Establishes 'SM Studios', A Non-music Business Integrated Management Subsidiary]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
^Park, Sang-woo (June 24, 2021). SM·JYP, 플랫폼 '디어유 버블'로 협력 관계 지속 [SM·JYP Continues Collaboration with Platform 'Dear U Bubble']. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^Hong, Se-young (June 4, 2021). JYP, SM과 손 잡았다…디어유 지분 취득 [JYP, SM had Joined Hands…Acquisition of Dear U Equity]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^Son, Bong-seok (June 4, 2021). JYP, SM 자회사 디어유 지분 23.3% 취득 [JYP Acquires 23.3% Stake in Dear U, A Subsidiary of SM]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (June 4, 2021). SM-JYP 손잡았다, 글로벌 모바일 플랫폼 영향력 확장 [SM-JYP Joins Hands, Expanding Global Mobile Platform Impact]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^Jung, Ji-won (June 4, 2021). JYP, SM 자회사 '디어유' 지분 23.3% 취득…플랫폼 비즈니스 확장. JYP Acquires 23.3% Stake in 'Dear U', A Subsidiary of SM…Platform Business Expansion (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^Jung, Min-ha (June 4, 2021). JYP엔터, SM엔터 알짜 자회사 '디어유' 주식 260만주 취득…"상장 기대감↑" [JYP Entertainment Acquired 2.6 Million Shares in 'Dear U', A Subsidiary of SM Entertainment…"Expectations for Listing↑"]. Biz Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^Kim, Soo-jin (June 4, 2021). SM-JYP, 버블로 뭉쳤다..글로벌 모바일 플랫폼 도약 [SM-JYP, Bunched Up in Bubble..Global Mobile Platform Takeoff]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^Jung, Min-ha; Kim, So-hee (May 27, 2021). SM엔터 알짜 자회사 '디어유', 이르면 하반기 코스닥 상장 [SM Entertainment's Net Subsidiary 'Dear U', To be Listed on KOSDAQ as Early as the Second Half of the Year]. ChosunBiz (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 27, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
^Choi, Ji-eun (June 14, 2021). 디어유, 코스닥 상장 예비심사청구서 제출 [Dear U, Submits a Preliminary Review Claim for Listing on KOSDAQ]. Top Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
^Baek, Yoon-gi (June 14, 2021). 'SM 자회사' 디어유, 코스닥 상장 추진 ['SM subsidiary' Dear U, Promoting Listing on KOSDAQ]. E Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
^Shin, Jin-ah (June 14, 2021). 니쥬도 입점한 '팬-가수 플랫폼' 디어유, 하반기 IPO [Dear U, 'Fan-Singer Platform' that NiziU has also Entered, IPO in Second Half]. Financial News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
^Moon, Byung-do (March 16, 2021). 디어유, 전직원 '연봉 1500만원' 일괄 인상…대규모 개발인력 유치 추진 [Dear U, Raises All Employees' 'Annual Salary of 15 Million Won'…Promotion of Attracting Large-scale Development Personnel]. News Works (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
^Kim, Na-yeon (July 16, 2021). 아이즈원 출신 강혜원, '디어유 버블' 서비스 오픈…팬들과 특별한 소통 [Kang Hye-won from IZ*ONE, Opens 'Dear U Bubble' Service, Special Communication with Fans]. Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
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^Bae, Yo-han (July 15, 2021). HYBE·SM·YG·JYP 엔터4사…실적·주가 전망도 '맑음' [HYBE·SM·YG·JYP Enter Four Companies…Earnings and Share Price Outlook 'Clear']. Seoul Economy TV (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
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^Kim, Hyun-ah (March 16, 2021). 프라이빗 메시지 '디어유', '전직원 연봉 1500만원' 인상 [Private Message 'Dear U', 'All Employees Increase Annual Salary of 15 Million Won']. E Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
^Kim, Hyo-jung (May 3, 2021). [게시판] 메시지앱 '버블' 티오피·플레이엠 가수도 참여 [[Bulletin Board] Top and Play M Singers Also Participated on 'Bubble' Message App]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^Lee, Jung-beom (May 4, 2021). 빅톤, 디어유 '버블 포 플레이엠 프라이빗 메시지 서비스 개시 [Victon, Dear U 'Bubble for Play M Private Message Service Initiated]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^Kim, Hee-seo (July 19, 2021). 에이핑크 은지·남주·하영, 오늘(19일) 디어유 버블 신규 오픈 [Apink's Eunji·Namjoo·Hayoung, Opens Dear U Bubble Today (19th)]. Celuv Media (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
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^Lee, Jung-beom (March 29, 2021). 청하, 디어유 '버블 위드 스타스' 메시지 서비스 첫 주자 선정 [Chungha, Selected as the First Runner of Dear U's 'Bubble with Stars' Message Service]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^Hong, Se-young (May 28, 2021). 김재환『경험 토대로 방향성 찾는 중』[화보] [Kim Jae-hwan "Looking for direction based on experience" [Photo]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ abKim, Gun-woo (July 1, 2021). 디어유, 보이그룹 '온리원오브' 버블 위드 스타즈 서비스 [Dear U, Boy Group 'OnlyOneOf' Bubble with Stars Service]. Money Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ abOh, Bo-ram (May 13, 2021). 윤종신도 팬과 '프라이빗 메시지' 소통…미스틱, '버블' 시작 [Yoon Jong-shin to Also Communicate with Fans through 'Private Message'…Mystic, To Start 'Bubble']. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ abKim, Mi-ji (May 13, 2021). 윤종신, 프라이빗 메시지로 팬들 만난다…미스틱스토리도 '버블' 서비스 오픈 [Yoon Jong-shin, To Meet Fans Through Private Message…Mystic Story Also Opens 'Bubble' Service]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ abChoi, Sung-nam (July 1, 2021). 디어유, '온리원오브' 디어유 버블 서비스 신규 오픈 [Dear U, 'OnlyOneOf' Newly Opens Dear U Bubble Service]. News Tomato (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^Yoo, Byung-chul (July 13, 2021). 효린, 팬들과 특별한 대화 나눈다…팬들 위한 소통창구 '디어유 버블' 오픈 [Hyolyn, To Have a Special Conversation with Fans…Opens 'Dear U Bubble' for Fans]. Korea Economic TV (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ abShin, Jin-ah (July 1, 2021). 디어유, 온리원오브 '프라이빗 메시지 서비스' 신규 오픈 [Dear U, OnlyOneOf's Opens New 'Private Message Service']. Financial News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^Park, Sang-woo (July 16, 2021). 강혜원, '디어유 버블' 신규 개설…팬들과 1:1 채팅 가능 [Kang Hye-won Opens New 'Dear U Bubble'…1:1 Chatting with Fans]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
^Han, Soo-ji (October 8, 2021). 스테이씨, 10월13일 버블 오픈…팬들과의 시크릿 대화 [STAYC, Bubble Open on October 13th... Secret conversation with fans]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
^Ahn, So-yoon (November 11, 2021). 라붐, '디어유 버블' 신규 오픈…팬들과 일대일 메시지 소통. Financial News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
^Yoo, Byung-cheol (May 6, 2022). woo!ah!(우아!), 디어유 버블10일 합류…글로벌 소통 채널 오픈 [woo!ah! joins Dear You Bubble on the 10th... Open global communication channels]. Korea Economic TV (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^Ahn, Jin-yong (January 19, 2023). 아이브·몬스타엑스…'스타쉽' 아티스트 '디어유' 입점. Culture Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^"디어유버블, 새 아티스트 렌-비비지-소유 합류 예고…"조금만 기다려주세요"" [Dear U Bubble, announces the joining of new artists Ren, Viviz and Soyou... "Please wait a minute"]. Top Star News (in Korean). Retrieved April 17, 2023.
^"김연경·김수지·양효진도 버블한다, '버블 포 스포츠' 론칭(공식)" [Kim Yeon-kyung, Kim Su-ji, and Yang Hyo-jin also bubble, launching 'Bubble for Sports' (official)]. Nate (in Korean). Retrieved March 27, 2023.
^"안보현·임수향·신예은·신은수, '버블 포 액터즈' 이달 오픈" [Ahn Bo-hyun, Im Soo-hyang, Shin Ye-eun and Shin Eun-soo, 'Bubble for Actors' opens this month]. Nate (in Korean). Retrieved March 27, 2023.
^"디어유, 크리에이터 전용 '버블 포 트레져헌터' 오픈" [Dear U, creator-only 'Bubble for Treasure Hunter' opens]. News1 (in Korean). Retrieved March 27, 2023.
^"백현·시우민·첸, '버블' 오픈 첫 날부터 트래픽 터졌다…화력 입증" [Baekhyun, Xiumin, Chen, 'Bubble' traffic exploded from the first day of opening... Firepower proven]. Sedaily (in Korean). Retrieved May 20, 2024.
^디어유, 코스닥 상장 추진 [Dear U, To Push for Listing on KOSDAQ]. Korea Benchmark (in Korean). June 14, 2021. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
