AI Studio Utopai Acquires Seoul Production House Alquimista Media in Surprise Move... Aims to Transform Korea into a Global Entertainment 'AI Super Hub'

Post-acquisition, Utopai launches full-scale operations as AI-powered global studio for Korean content

Utopai East, a venture developing AI-powered video storytelling technology, announced on February 2 (local time) that it has completed the 100% acquisition of Seoul-based production company Alquimista Media. Through this acquisition, Utopai East has secured a production studio foothold in Korea, one of the world’s most influential entertainment markets.

Utopai East was established in November 2025 as a 50-50 joint venture between Utopai Studios and Stock Farm Road (SFR). Stock Farm Road is an investment firm founded by Brian Koo, a venture investor and grandson of the late Koo In-hwoi, founder of LG Group.

“실리콘밸리 AI, K-드라마 심장부를 사다”

실리콘밸리 AI 스튜디오 유토파이 합작법인 유토파이 이스트를 통해 알키미스타 미디어를 100% 인수, 한국을 아시아 거점이자 ‘AI 슈퍼허브’로 삼는 전략 본격화. 박현 대표와 베테랑 제작진이 합류한 알키미스타의 15개 글로벌 프로젝트와 유토파이의 AI 시네마틱 기술, 스톡팜로드 초대형 데이터센터 투자가 결합되며, K-콘텐츠와 AI 융합 앞세운 차세대 글로벌 스튜디오 모델 가동

K-EnterTech HubJung Han

SFR is currently pursuing a 3GW (gigawatt)-class AI data center construction project in South Jeolla Province, with an estimated investment of approximately $35 billion. The Alquimista Media acquisition by Utopai East is widely interpreted as an extension of this broader content-technology convergence strategy linked to large-scale AI infrastructure.

Alquimista Media, the Seoul-based production company led by global media expert Hyun Park—who co-founded DramaFever and served as Head of the Global Division at Studio Dragon—is staffed by a team drawn from Warner Bros., CJ ENM’s Studio Dragon, Apple TV+, and Moho Films, with extensive experience in developing globally oriented Korean content.

The company stated: "Korea is a core hub of the global media industry and a strategic base for next-generation content development where creative power and technological capability converge," explaining the significance of the acquisition. Through the deal, Utopai East has built an in-house studio system in Korea—one of the world’s leading content-producing countries—spanning planning, development, and production.

Utopai East is a global production company that co-produces and invests in high-quality film and TV projects based on Utopai Studios’ AI cinematic model currently under development. The company plans to leverage original IP from Korea and Japan to deliver premium films and series targeting global audiences. AI technology will be applied across the entire process—from story development, visual pre-production, and post-production—to increase production efficiency, with finished works distributed through theaters, broadcasting, streaming, and other platforms.

A Utopai Studios spokesperson said: "This acquisition is an important milestone connecting the Korean content production ecosystem with the global entertainment industry," adding: "We will realize a new production model where creators and technology coexist, based on local production infrastructure."

▌ Utopai Studios: Pioneering AI Film and Series Production

Utopai Studios is an AI video technology company headquartered in Mountain View, California, that champions a next-generation studio model combining Hollywood film and TV production with AI cinematic technology. Founded in 2022 by Cecilia Shenand Jie Yang under the name “Cybever,” the AI company rebranded as Utopai Studios in August 2025, pivoting to become a full-fledged content studio.

Leveraging AI-powered video generation tools and cinematic storytelling technology, Utopai Studios has recorded annual revenue of $110 million (approximately KRW 143 billion), establishing itself as a global leader in the field. The company is developing a state-of-the-art cinematic video generation model and an ‘agentic workflow’ to support narrative creation across feature films, series, short-form content, and various formats and platforms. Its video storytelling-specialized model is built around three core design principles: consistencyacross scenes, characters, and entire seasons; controllability aligning with the creator’s intended direction; and narrative fidelity that faithfully realizes story structure.

Utopai Studios is currently co-producing with Ex Machina Studios on the feature film “Cortés”and the science-fiction series “Space Nation.” “Cortés” is a two-part historical epic written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nicholas Kazanand directed by Kirk Petruccelli. “Space Nation” is a premium series project built around an expansive sci-fi universe.

Industry observers regard these projects as among the first large-scale narrative film and series to directly integrate AI technology into professional production workflows.

AI models are being linked across the entire production pipeline—from visual concept development at the script stage, through previsualization and virtual production, to post-production compositing—in an effort to simultaneously maximize production efficiency and creative experimentation.

Utopai Studios’ trajectory demonstrates that generative AI is evolving beyond a simple tool to fundamentally redesign the studio business model and production pipeline structure itself.

While traditional studios have expanded through workforce and facility growth, Utopai positions models, data, and workflows as its core assets to drive global collaborative projects—an approach that observers predict will trigger changes in the organizational structure and division of roles within Hollywood and the broader global production ecosystem.

▌ 15-Project Pipeline Secured

The global entertainment market is experiencing rapid growth in “entertainment tech-based production,” where technology—particularly AI—converges with content to expand audiences and create new content formats. This acquisition was also driven by the expanding popularity of Korean Wave (Hallyu) content and the growth of AI technology. According to the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), global Hallyu fans surpassed approximately 200 million as of 2024, and the Korean cultural content market is projected to reach $86.4 billion (approximately KRW 112 trillion) by 2026. Against this backdrop, global media companies are increasingly focusing on Korea as a next-generation production and investment hub.

Through this acquisition, Utopai East has secured the intellectual property (IP) rights and production authority for 15 drama and film projects currently in development at Alquimista Media. The secured projects span a wide range of genres—including action/spy thrillers, crime/supernatural stories, fantasy/science fiction, romantic comedies, family dramas, and period pieces—all planned and developed for the global market.

Alquimista Media has recently established itself as a production company drawing significant attention in the American independent film world. Its signature film “Bedford Park” premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Debut Feature, raising its global profile.

The film was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics and is recognized as the feature directorial debut of Stephanie Ahn. Set in New Jersey, the film is an emotional drama centered on the relationship between Audrey (Moon Choi), a Korean American woman, and Eli (Son Suk-ku), a former wrestler.

Industry observers note that through this acquisition, Utopai East has built a global content pipeline based on a dual IP system connecting Korea and the United States. In particular, by combining AI storytelling-based development tools with local production capabilities, the company is expected to accelerate its transition to a next-generation creative studio model.

▌ Korean Content Industry Veteran Lineup

The Alquimista Media team boasts a significant roster of global content production professionals.

Hyun Park, Founder and CEO of Alquimista Media, is a global media executive with more than 20 years of experience spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas. He served as Head of the Global Division at CJ ENM’s Studio Dragon and as co-Head of Warner Bros. Korea.

In 2009, he co-founded DramaFever, at the time the largest Korean and Asian drama streaming platform in the United States and Latin America. DramaFever grew into the biggest subtitled OTT platform for Korean and Asian content in the U.S. and Latin American markets before being shut down in 2018 due to strategic restructuring by WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros. Discovery). Park also demonstrated his capabilities as a producer by serving as executive producer on the film Bedford Park.

Wonjo Jeong, Head of Development, previously served as Head of Development at Apple TV+ Korea and as Executive Vice President at Moho Films. He participated in the production of Park Chan-wook’s Cannes Best Director Award winner The Handmaiden (2016), Stoker (2013), and the BBC series The Little Drummer Girl (2018). He is recognized as a professional with both a global perspective and extensive production expertise.

Jeongdo Jang, Executive Producer (EP), oversaw more than 30 productions during his tenure at Studio Dragon, delivering numerous hit titles. His representative works include Our Blues, Alchemy of Souls, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?, and Live. Studio Dragon currently holds 278 global IPs, 4,271 episodes, and a creative talent network of 317 professionals.

Under the Utopai East framework, the team will lead development and production in Korea and accelerate the expansion of Hallyu-based premium content IP. Centered on seasoned industry talent, the company plans to strengthen its IP development strategy tailored to the global streaming market and, through collaboration with the Utopai East platform, add momentum to the globalization of Korean content.

▌ "Opening a New Era of Global Entertainment"

Kevin Chong, CEO of Utopai East, stated: "We are building Utopai East to define the next era of global entertainment. We are truly excited to launch with the Alquimista Media team in Korea, one of the most powerful creative engines in the world today, and lay the foundation to build a global studio platform that combines world-class storytelling with advanced AI production infrastructure."

Hyun Park, CEO of Alquimista Media, said: "Becoming part of Utopai East allows us to scale our creative ambitions globally while staying true to the DNA of Korean and Asian storytelling. We’re excited to empower our creators with Utopai Studios’ AI technology platform to unlock bolder and more expansive storytelling." He added: "At a time when meaningful investment and long-term conviction are increasingly rare, we’re deeply grateful to Utopai East for doubling down on our stories and creators. It strongly signals commitment and confidence in the region’s creative future."

Cecilia Shen, Co-Founder and CEO of Utopai Studios, emphasized: "Korea is one of the most important creative markets in the world. This acquisition is about supporting great storytellers at scale. By combining an established creative team and slate with the production technology we’ve been building, we’re focused on helping projects move from development through production more efficiently, without compromising the creative process."

▌ K-Content and AI Convergence: Market Outlook

This acquisition is aligned with the continued growth trajectory of the global Hallyu market. According to Luminate Film & TV, between 2022 and 2025, Korea ranked as the second-largest country for U.S. TV production filmed abroad—trailing only Canada—and accounted for 13.5% of total overseas production volume. During this period, overseas filming of U.S. TV titles was concentrated in a handful of countries including Canada, Korea, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia. Among them, Korea placed second (13.5%) behind Canada (21.7%), surpassing traditional location powerhouses such as the UK (10.4%), India (5.8%), and Japan (4.8%).

Demand for Korean content is also on the rise.

According to Omdia, among non-English content on Netflix, Korean content holds the highest share by hours viewed. Omdia’s analysis of Netflix titles available globally between Q1 2023 and Q1 2025 found that Korean titles accounted for 7% of all non-English titles. However, by “Hours Viewed,” the share expanded to 13%, surpassing Japanese and Spanish-language content to record the highest viewing hours among all non-English content.

By “Views,” the share was 6%—similar to the title share of 7%—but the gap with the hours viewed share (13%) was notable. Omdia analyzed this by stating: "Korean series tend to have more episodes and longer running times compared to content from other markets, resulting in significantly higher cumulative viewing hours per title."

Additionally, the global success of the 2025 Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters”demonstrated that K-content can expand beyond traditional dramas into diverse formats. The film’s OST “Golden” won the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

Meanwhile, concerns persist within the industry regarding the integration of AI technology into film production. AI was one of the central issues during the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strikes.

Utopai has stated that "AI is designed to work alongside human creators, not to replace them," and emphasized that "writers, directors, and actors are still needed." The company also noted that all AI models and datasets it uses are "fully licensed and contractually approved."

▌ Company Overview

Utopai East: A film and TV studio launched as a 50-50 joint venture between Utopai Studios and Stock Farm Road. Beginning with Korean and Japanese stories and expanding across Asia, the company focuses on developing and producing premium scripted content for global streaming platforms and theatrical release. Expansion into the Chinese and Thai markets is also under consideration.

Alquimista Media: A Seoul-based production company led by Founder and CEO Hyun Park. The team comprises members from Warner Bros., CJ ENM’s Studio Dragon, Apple TV+, and Moho Films, with extensive experience in developing globally oriented Korean content.

Utopai Studios: Founded in 2022 as Cybever, rebranded in August 2025. In addition to its Mountain View, California headquarters, the company has offices in West Hollywood and Berlin. It supports video storytelling across film, TV, and digital platforms through its cinematic video generation model and agentic workflow.

Stock Farm Road: A global investment firm co-founded in 2025 by Brian Koo, grandson of LG Group founder Koo In-hwoi, and Amin Badr-El-Din of Jordan-based BADR Investments. Koo holds a BA in Economics and an MBA from Stanford University, with early investment track records including Oculus and Coupang. The firm is pursuing a 3-gigawatt AI data center construction project in South Korea valued at up to $35 billion.