M eighty-three, a leading Korea-based visual effects (VFX) studio, said on the 3rd that it signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese content and VFX producer THE SEVEN.
Through this agreement, the two companies will combine their VFX studio production capabilities and move into high-end video content production. They plan to collaborate across the entire production process from content planning to final compositing, and to pursue joint research and development, co-production of global projects, and expansion into overseas markets.
THE SEVEN is a subsidiary established in 2022 by TBS Holdings, one of Japan's five major terrestrial broadcasters, to target the global content market. Through a strategic partnership with Netflix, it has rolled out global hits such as "Alice in Borderland" and "Yu Yu Hakusho." In particular, "Yu Yu Hakusho" won the grand prix in the visual effects category at the Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA 2024), demonstrating its strong VFX capabilities. Recently, it signed a strategic partnership with Legendary Entertainment, a Hollywood producer that owns intellectual property (IP) such as the films "Dune," "Godzilla vs. Kong" and "Minecraft."
M eighty-three has established itself as a leading VFX studio in Asia through numerous domestic and overseas projects, including "Vincenzo," "Space Sweepers," "Noryang: Deadly Sea," "Sweet Home 2·3," "Not Others," and "The Great Flood." Centered on VFX supervisor and CEO Jeong Seong-jin, who has 30 years of experience, the company is recognized for stable production operations and high completeness.
Through this collaboration, the companies are expected to expand overseas markets centering on M eighty-three's Korea and China bases and THE SEVEN's Japan and North America bases. In January this year, M eighty-three established a local branch in Tongzhou District, Beijing, China. THE SEVEN is strengthening its connection with the Hollywood production system through THE SEVEN US, established in Los Angeles.
THE SEVEN CEO Setoguchi Katsuaki said, "The fusion of M eighty-three's VFX technology with THE SEVEN's storytelling and producing capabilities is a combination of high-end content talent that transcends borders," adding, "We will deliver a new entertainment experience aimed at the global market."
M eighty-three CEO Jeong Seong-jin said, "THE SEVEN is a partner that has embodied the strengths of Japan's content industry with the greatest precision and innovation," adding, "With this collaboration, we will prove our underlying strength in the global market through high-end content that combines the production philosophies and technologies of Korea and Japan."