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Businesses Attain LaoSafe Certification

Businesses Attain LaoSafe Certification.
Businesses Attain LaoSafe Certification.

The LaoSafe program organized its first Certificate Awarding Ceremony in Vientiane Capital on Monday.

Comba and Turkcell Collaborate to Launch Open RAN Trials

support the RAN architecture transformation of Turkcell Group starting from the first trial in Turkey

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited (“Comba Telecom” or “the Group”, SEHK stock code: 2342), a global leading wireless solutions provider, today announced that Comba Network Systems Company Limited (“Comba Network“), an indirect subsidiary of Comba Telecom has completed an Open RAN deployment in the network of Turkcell, a telecommunications and technology services provider founded and headquartered in Turkey, to support the RAN architecture transformation of the Turkcell Group, starting from the first trial in Turkey.

Comba Network is a pioneering Open RAN hardware supplier that has leveraged its future-proof solutions to help inspire the telecom industry to shift to Open RAN. Through the Turkcell collaboration, Comba Network provided Open RAN compliant Remote Radio Units (“RRU”) to allow Turkcell to run its first Open RAN trial in Turkey and convert its RAN infrastructure to a more valuable digitalized and virtualized architecture supporting the roll-out of 4G/5G networks.

Engineered with multi-radio access technology (“multi-RAT”) and multi-band support, Comba Network’s RRU enables 4G/5G simultaneously in a single unit, which will support network technology transformation in the coming years. Compliant with the O-RAN Alliance 7.2x functional split, the RRU provides open C/U/S-plane and M-plane interfaces to the baseband unit (“BBU”) and the operation and management (“OAM”) system via the industry-standard eCPRI interfaces. High power efficiency and innovative mechanical design greatly reduce energy consumption, footprint and weight, hence cutting the Operating Expenses (” OPEX”).

Ms. Marie Ma, General Manager of Comba Telecom Network Systems Limited, said, “Comba Network has developed a solid partnership with Turkcell, providing complete wireless solutions for over a decade. We have constantly innovated products suited to local requirements. This is made possible due to the continued technical feedback and support from Turkcell. We believe this partnership will forge closer ties and cooperation in network architecture evolution.”

Ms. Ma added, “Comba Network takes an active role in the Open RAN ecosystem. We are currently the contributor of O-RAN Alliance and a member of Telecom Infra Project’s (“TIP”) OpenRAN project group, actively participating in Open RAN projects. Comba Network will continue to expand our participation in the Open RAN arena, extend the strategic partnership and collaboration with industry stakeholders, help boost the growth and development of the open platform ecosystem, and support Open RAN innovators like Turkcell to propel radio technologies.”

Dr. Gediz Sezgin, Chief Technology Officer of Turkcell, said, “Turkcell is a pioneer in digital transformation and as part of this motivation, most of our mobile core network has been virtualized on Turkcell Telco Cloud Platform. We are fully convinced with the advantages of virtualization and believe that open Radio Access Network interfaces will accelerate innovation in the 5G era. We are excited to partner with Comba and will continue to lead this journey towards fully virtualized next-generation mobile networks thanks to our broad expertise in RAN technologies and network virtualization.”

About Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited

Comba Telecom is a leading global solutions and services provider of wireless and information communications systems with its own R&D and manufacturing base, and sales and service teams. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of products and services including antennas and base station subsystems, wireless access, wireless enhancement, and wireless transmission to its global customers. Headquartered in Hong Kong, with manufacturing bases and R&D centers in China, Comba Telecom provides wireless communication solutions and information application services to customers in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. Comba Telecom was included in the MSCI Hong Kong Small Cap Index in November 2019. Furthermore, the Company was included as a constituent stock of Hang Seng Composite SmallCap Index, Hang Seng Internet & Information Technology Index and other Hang Seng Family of Indexes, and the China-Hong Kong Stock Connect under the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect in September 2020. For further information, please visit: www.comba-telecom.com

#CombaTelecom

Crypto Asset Management Firm Babel Finance leads US$2m seed round for Custonomy to develop MPC crypto asset custody solutions

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – Custonomy, an award-winning digital asset custody service firm, has completed a seed round of US$2 million. Crypto Asset Management Firm Babel Finance, prominent worldwide crypto financial services provider, led the seed funding round.

Custonomy’s next phase of expansion will be fueled by the seed money. The funds will be used to further the company’s ground-breaking, institutional-grade, ultra-secure corporate management systems for crypto asset management using multi-party computation technology (MPC). The emphasis will be on assisting businesses in providing best-in-class security solutions to protect crypto assets from cyber theft.

Custonomy was founded in April 2020 as a seed stage company in response to a rising need among investors and asset owners to secure their crypto assets from internet theft. More and more businesses and institutions have become involved in the crypto asset market in recent years, allowing their customers to hold and invest in cryptocurrencies. Babel Finance’s crypto team sees the growing desire from investors to own and trade these assets and is aware that asset security threats are a serious concern for investors.

Keith Hung, CEO and Co-Founder of Custonomy, commented on the seed fund closure: “Custonomy’s mission is to be the cornerstone and go-to solutions provider for enterprises that want to get involved in crypto and the metaverse. We are delighted to close this seed round of funding and now look forward to focusing our collective team efforts on being Asia’s No. 1 crypto custody solution provider.”

The goal of Custonomy is to improve business digital asset protection. It offers ultra-secure custody solutions based on MPC technology that allows institutions to manage their digital assets in a secure and self-contained environment. Enterprises have the opportunity to innovate with true value-added client services by utilizing cryptography and mathematically-based procedures. It also permits them to stay up with the market’s quick developments. Babel Finance’s crypto lending arm will be able to leverage the use of Custonomy’s custody solutions.

Babel Finance’s CFO, Edmond Lau, remarked from Babel Finance’s Hong Kong office, “We are very impressed with the technical capability, innovative solution, and supreme execution power of Custonomy.” “We are proud to support Customony on the journey to provide the best possible solution to institutional clients.”

Custonomy also revealed that its solutions are now available to all clients on a broad scale. In 2022, with the seed funding led by Babel Finance, Custonomy intends to improve its solutions so that businesses may manage their NFT assets in a highly secure and user-friendly manner.

About Babel Finance

Babel Finance is a global leading crypto financial services provider, offering institutional and HNWI investors professional services covering crypto lending and crypto trading.

The company is backed by prominent investors including Sequoia Capital China, Tiger Global Management, BAI Capital, Zoo Capital, Dragonfly Capital, and NGC Ventures.

With a business focus in Asia and a business headquarters in Singapore, Babel Finance has established close cooperative relationships with major global exchanges, custodians, investment funds, and mining institutions.

#BabelFinance

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

VinFast signs memorandum of understanding with LeasePlan for customer leasing options in Europe

BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 On February 28, 2022, at Mobile World Congress 2022 (MWC 2022), VinFast announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with LeasePlan, one of the world’s leading car-as-a-service companies. Through this anticipated collaboration, VinFast will continue to establish its positioning in Europe ahead of launches in the Dutch, German and French markets.


According to the MOU, it is the intention that LeasePlan will become the preferred partner of VinFast to provide operational leasing, fleet management and remarketing to B2C and B2B customers. It is foreseen that LeasePlan will also offer online leasing solutions as part of a range of flexible financing options available to VinFast’s customers in the launch markets of Germany, France and the Netherlands.

In addition to a range of financing options, including a convenient lease option through LeasePlan, as detailed at MWC 2022, VinFast is also fully integrating multiple advanced safety and convenience technologies to enhance customer experiences and to make smart EVs and their users close companions in everyday life.

LeasePlan is one of the world’s leading car-as-a-service companies, with the ability to manage nearly 2 million vehicles in 29 countries spanning the globe. This collaboration will help VinFast to quickly reach customers, promote electrification in Europe and lay the groundwork to bring high-quality products and advanced smart services to market.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, CEO of VinFast in Europe, said: “This announcement with LeasePlan is further evidence of the rapid progress VinFast is making towards its European launch, as well as its commitment to offering optimal financing solutions to customers. LeasePlan’s reputation and market coverage will be vital enablers for our quest to penetrate a competitive market. VinFast is constantly working to meet all the needs of customers and create a better life for everyone.”

Europe has always been a key market in VinFast’s global expansion strategy. Over the years, VinFast has established significant partnerships with proven suppliers in this market in the areas of finance, technology and design. Cooperation with LeasePlan is the next move in VinFast’s expansion plan in the European market.

At MWC 2022, VinFast continues to further its Future of Mobility – a safer, greener, and more efficient tomorrow. VinFast has detailed the advanced connectivity technologies fitted across its range of EV models, including Smart Services and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). These features will integrate VinFast EVs into all aspects of life, creating a true three-in-one smart EV: the perfect family car, the ultimate company car, and the ideal shopping car.

The VF 8 and VF 9 were introduced to the global audience at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, and reservations announced at CES 2022, are taking place from January 5, 2022, until the end of April 5, 2022. During this time, customers who complete a 150 Euro deposit enter the exclusive VinFirst – “Pioneer’s Gratitude to Pioneers” programme, which offers many fascinating perks, including an e-voucher worth 2,500 Euros towards the purchase of a VF 8 and 4,200 Euros towards the purchase of a VF 9, one free ADAS & Smart Services package, one free portable charger, a tree planted in the participant’s name, and much more. Customers can learn more and reserve at: https://vinfastauto.eu/en/reservations.

About VinFast

VinFast – a member of Vingroup – envisioned to drive the movement of global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with globally leading scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam.

Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced smart services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.com.

#VinFast

About Vingroup

Established in 1993, Vingroup is one of the leading private conglomerates in the region, with a total capitalization of $35 billion from three publicly traded companies (as of November 4, 2021). Vingroup currently focuses on three main areas: Technology and Industry, Services and Social Enterprise. Find out more at: https://www.vingroup.net/en.

#Vingroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Spackman Media Group Artist Son Ye-Jin’s New K-Drama, 39, Ranked 8th Top Netflix TV Shows Worldwide

  • Iconic Korean actress Son Ye-jin’s JTBC’s drama, 39, ranked 8th top Netflix TV shows worldwide based on Flix Patrol, an online content service ranking site
  • The JTBC K-drama recorded its highest audience rating of 8.7% for its fourth episode, based on Nielson Korea’s nationwide household standards
  • Represented by MSteam of Spackman Media Group, Son Ye-jin previously starred in tvN’s drama, CRASH LANDING ON YOU, which achieved massive record-breaking viewership success in Korea and Japan


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (the “Group“), one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups founded in 2011 by media & technology investor Charles Spackman, wishes to announce that Son Ye-jin of MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (“MSteam“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited (“Spackman Media Group“), stars in JTBC’s new drama, 39, which ranked as the 8th top Netflix TV shows worldwide on 26th February based on Flix Patrol, an online content service ranking site. Son Ye-jin is one of the flagship artists of Spackman Media Group.

According to Flix Patrol, the JTBC K-drama, 39, ranked first in five regions namely Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan. Previously, the JTBC K-drama recorded its highest audience rating of 8.7% for its fourth episode, based on Nielson Korea’s nationwide household standards.

Directed by Kim Sang-ho of RUN ON (2020) and written by Yoo Young-ah of ENCOUNTER (2018) & KIM JI YOUNG, BORN IN 1982 (2019), 39 is a 12-episode drama about the romance and everyday lives of three friends who are on the verge of turning 40. Son Ye-jin plays the role of a 39 year-old dermatologist, who was born and raised by wealthy parents and presently works at her own clinic in Gangnam, Seoul.

Son Ye-jin’s previous tvN K-drama, CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2019), achieved massive record-breaking viewership success in Korea and became a top hit in Japan, attaining #1 on Japan’s Netflix for four months. The K-drama was one of the top 10 Most Watched Netflix Shows in the United States. Son Ye-jin was awarded the Hallyu Drama Best Actress Award at the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards for her role in CRASH LANDING ON YOU.

Her recent films include BE WITH YOU (2018), THE NEGOTIATION (2018) and THE LAST PRINCESS (2016), all of which were invested by the Group and/or Spackman Media Group.

In 2018, Son Ye-jin’s performance in BE WITH YOU, which broke the all-time first week box office historical record for romance film in Korea, clinched her the Best Actress Award at the Seoul Awards. Son Ye-jin also received the Prime Minister’s Commendations at the 2018 Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards and won the Best Actress for Hallyu Dramas at the 2018 Seoul International Drama Awards, underscoring her international status as an iconic Korean actress.

Previously, Son Ye-jin was selected as the brand ambassador for US skin care brand Skinceuticals and as luxury fashion brand Valentino’s muse. She was also the face of Crocodile’s woman apparel and Smart Communications Inc., a leading telecommunications service provider in the Philippines.

Other than Son Ye-jin, MSteam also represents internationally recognized actor Wi Ha-jun of SQUID GAME and top actress Lee Min-jung, who won the Top Excellence Award at the 2020 APAN Star Awards.

About Spackman Entertainment Group Limited

Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“SEGL” or the “Company“), and together with its subsidiaries, (the “Group“), is one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups. SEGL is primarily engaged in the independent development, production, presentation, and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Korea.

The Company was founded in 2011 by media and technology investor Charles Spackman who served as the Company’s Executive Chairman until 2017. For the past two decades, Mr. Charles Spackman has been a powerhouse in the Korean entertainment industry starting in the early 2000’s with the pioneering success of Sidus Pictures, the largest movie production company at the time and the first to be listed in Korea. Mr. Spackman is also the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the global investment firm, Spackman Group. For more information, please visit http://www.charlesspackman.com

Since its founding, SEGL had produced more than 30 major motion pictures including a number of the highest grossing and award-winning films in Korea, namely #ALIVE (2020), CRAZY ROMANCE (2019), DEFAULT (2018), MASTER (2016), THE PRIESTS (2015), SNOWPIERCER (2013), COLD EYES (2013) and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012).

Our films are theatrically distributed and released in Korea and overseas markets, as well as for subsequent post-theatrical worldwide release in other forms of media, including online streaming, cable TV, broadcast TV, IPTV, video-on-demand, and home video/DVD, etc. Generally, we release our motion pictures into wide-theatrical exhibition initially in Korea, and then in overseas and ancillary markets.

The Group also invests into and produces Korean television dramas. In addition to our content business, we also own equity stakes in entertainment-related companies and film funds that can financially and strategically complement our existing core operations. SEGL is listed on the Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited under the ticker 40E.

Production Labels

SEGL owns Novus Mediacorp Co., Ltd. (“Novus Mediacorp“), an investor, presenter, and/or post-theatrical distributor for a total of 79 films (58 Korean and 21 foreign) including ROSE OF BETRAYAL, THE OUTLAWS and SECRETLY, GREATLY, which was one of the biggest box office hits of 2013 starring Kim Soo-hyun of MY LOVE FROM THE STARS, as well as FRIEND 2: THE GREAT LEGACY. In 2012, Novus Mediacorp was also the post-theatrical rights distributor of ALL ABOUT MY WIFE, a top-grossing romantic comedy produced by Zip Cinema. In 2018, THE OUTLAWS, co-presented by Novus Mediacorp broke the all-time highest Video On Demand (“VOD“) sales records in Korea. For more information, please visit http://novusmediacorp.com

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Simplex Films Limited (“Simplex Films“) which is an early stage film production firm. The maiden film of Simplex Films, JESTERS: THE GAME CHANGERS (2019), was released in Korea on 21 August 2019. Simplex Films has several line-up of films including HURRICANE BROTHERS (working title).

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Take Pictures Pte. Ltd. (“Take Pictures“) which produced STONE SKIPPING (2020) and THE BOX (2021), and shall release GUARDIAN (working title) in 2022 tentatively.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Greenlight Content Limited (“Greenlight Content“) which is mainly involved in the business of investing into dramas and movies, as well as providing consulting services for the production of Korean content. Through the acquisition of Greenlight Content, the Group’s first co-produced drama, MY SECRET TERRIUS, starring top Korean star, So Ji Sub, achieved #1 in drama viewership ratings for its time slot and recorded double digits for its highest viewership ratings. Greenlight Content was one of the main investors of MY SECRET TERRIUS.

The Company owns a 20% equity interest in The Makers Studio Co. Ltd., which plans to produce and release four upcoming films, the first of which will be THE ISLAND OF THE GHOST’S WAIL, a comedy horror film.

Talent Representation

The Company holds an effective shareholding interest of 43.88% in Spackman Media Group Limited (“SMGL“). SMGL, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, together with its subsidiaries, is collectively one of the largest entertainment talent agencies in Korea in terms of the number of artists under management, including some of the top names in the Korean entertainment industry. SMGL operates its talent management business through renowned agencies such as MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Son Ye-jin, Lee Min-jung, Ko Sung-hee), UAA&CO Inc. (Song Hye-kyo, Yoo Ah-in, Park Hyung-sik), Fiftyone K Inc. (So Ji Sub, Ok Taec-yeon), SBD Entertainment Inc. (Son Suk-ku), and Kook Entertainment Co., Ltd. Through these full-service talent agencies in Korea, SMGL represents and guides the professional careers of a leading roster of award-winning actors/actresses in the practice areas of motion pictures, television, commercial endorsements, and branded entertainment. SMGL leverages its unparalleled portfolio of artists as a platform to develop, produce, finance and own the highest quality of entertainment content projects, including theatrical motion pictures, variety shows and TV dramas. This platform also creates and derives opportunities for SMGL to make strategic investments in development stage businesses that can collaborate with SMGL artists. SMGL is an associated company of the Company. For more information, please visit http://www.spackmanmediagroup.com.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Constellation Agency Pte. Ltd. (“Constellation Agency“). Constellation Agency, which owns The P Factory Co., Ltd. (“The P Factory“) and Platform Media Group Co., Ltd. (“PMG“), is primarily involved in the business of overseas agency for Korean artists venturing into the overseas market. The P Factory is an innovative marketing solutions provider specializing in event and branded content production. PMG is a talent management agency which represents and manages the careers of major artists in film, television, commercial endorsements and branded entertainment.

Strategic Businesses

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Frame Pictures Co., Ltd. (“Frame Pictures“). Frame Pictures is a leader in the movie/drama equipment leasing business in Korea. Established in 2014, Frame Pictures has worked with over 25 top directors and provided the camera and lighting equipment some of Korea’s most notable drama and movie projects including ITAEWON CLASS (2020), HOW TO BUY A FRIEND (2020), KIM JI-YOUNG, BORN 1982 (2019), FOUR MEN (2019) and ASADAL CHRONICLES (2019).

We also operate a café-restaurant, Upper West, in the Gangnam district of Seoul and own a professional photography studio, noon pictures Co., Ltd.

For more details, please visit http://www.spackmanentertainmentgroup.com/

#SpackmanEntertainmentGroup

Gaw Capital Partners Recognized as ‘Alternatives Investor of the Year: Asia’ at the PERE Awards 2021

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – Gaw Capital Partners is delighted to announce that it was named ‘Alternatives Investor of the Year: Asia’ at the PERE Awards 2021 after receiving the largest number of votes in a public ballot of the real estate industry.

Gaw Capital Partners was highlighted for raising its first $430m commingled growth equity fund, Gaw Growth Equity Fund I, to invest in proptech companies. The firm was also highlighted for launching two data center platforms in China and one in pan-Asia.

Ms. Christina Gaw, Managing Principal, Global Head of Capital Markets and Co-Chair of Alternative Investments of Gaw Capital Partners, said, “We are honored to be recognized as the winner of ‘Alternatives Investor of the Year: Asia’ at the Global PERE Awards 2021 and we would like to express our sincere thanks to our investors, partners, our dedicated team and PERE magazine.”

She added, “2021 has been another tough year with Covid restrictions in place especially throughout Asia, but we continue to see great opportunities in alternatives asset class such as data centres and logistics demand, due to people and tenants behavioral change during pandemic time and the increasing reliant on digital connectivity. The increasing focus by global investors, corporations, government policy makers focus in ESG, further creates new opportunities in the proptech industry. Global institutional investors’ commitments to our Gaw Growth Equity Fund I and IDC sector reflect their readiness to allocate more of their capital towards proptech, IDC and ESG related investments, given the attractive market opportunity and rapid growth of the sector. We are excited with these new trends and opportunities that will continue to deliver strong results and maximize returns for our investors.”

The Global PERE Awards recognize significant achievements in the global real estate industry and is highly respected across the global real estate private equity industry.

About Gaw Capital Partners

Gaw Capital Partners is a uniquely positioned private equity fund management company focusing on real estate markets in Asia Pacific and other high barrier-to-entry markets globally.

Specializing in adding strategic value to under-utilized real estate through redesign and repositioning, Gaw Capital runs an integrated business model with its own in-house asset management operating platforms in commercial, hospitality, property development, logistics, IDC and Education. The firm’s investments span the entire spectrum of real estate sectors, including residential development, offices, retail malls, serviced apartments, hotels, logistics warehouses and IDC projects.

Gaw Capital has raised seven commingled funds targeting the Greater China and APAC regions since 2005. The firm also manages value-add/opportunistic funds in Vietnam and the US, a Pan-Asia Hospitality Fund, a European Hospitality Fund, a Growth Equity Fund and provides services for separate account direct investments globally.

Since 2005, Gaw Capital has commanded assets of US$32.6 billion under management as of Q3 2021.

#GawCapitalPartners

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Spackman Media Group Artist Son Ye-Jin’s New K-Drama, 39, Ranked #1 Most Watched Content On OTT In Korea

  • Spackman Media Group flagship artist Son Ye-jin’s JTBC’s drama, 39, ranked #1 most watched content on OTT in Korea based on Kinolights, an OTT search platform
  • The JTBC K-drama recorded its highest audience rating of 8.7% for its fourth episode, based on Nielson Korea’s nationwide household standards
  • Represented by MSteam of Spackman Media Group, Son Ye-jin previously starred in tvN’s drama, CRASH LANDING ON YOU, which achieved massive record-breaking viewership success in Korea and Japan


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (the “Group“), one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups founded in 2011 by media & technology investor Charles Spackman, wishes to announce that Son Ye-jin of MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (“MSteam“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited (“Spackman Media Group“), stars in JTBC’s new drama, 39, which ranked as the #1 most watched content on over-the-top (“OTT“) in Korea in the last week of February based on Kinolights, an OTT integrated search and content recommendation platform. Son Ye-jin is one of the flagship artists of Spackman Media Group.

Previously, the JTBC K-drama recorded its highest audience rating of 8.7% for its fourth episode, based on Nielson Korea’s nationwide household standards. 39 is also released on Netflix internationally.

Directed by Kim Sang-ho of RUN ON (2020) and written by Yoo Young-ah of ENCOUNTER (2018) & KIM JI YOUNG, BORN IN 1982 (2019), 39 is a 12-episode drama about the romance and everyday lives of three friends who are on the verge of turning 40. Son Ye-jin plays the role of a 39 year-old dermatologist, who was born and raised by wealthy parents and presently works at her own clinic in Gangnam, Seoul.

Son Ye-jin’s previous tvN K-drama, CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2019), achieved massive record-breaking viewership success in Korea and became a top hit in Japan, attaining #1 on Japan’s Netflix for four months. The K-drama was one of the top 10 Most Watched Netflix Shows in the United States. Son Ye-jin was awarded the Hallyu Drama Best Actress Award at the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards for her role in CRASH LANDING ON YOU.

Her recent films include BE WITH YOU (2018), THE NEGOTIATION (2018) and THE LAST PRINCESS (2016), all of which were invested by the Group and/or Spackman Media Group.

In 2018, Son Ye-jin’s performance in BE WITH YOU, which broke the all-time first week box office historical record for romance film in Korea, clinched her the Best Actress Award at the Seoul Awards. Son Ye-jin also received the Prime Minister’s Commendations at the 2018 Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards and won the Best Actress for Hallyu Dramas at the 2018 Seoul International Drama Awards, underscoring her international status as an iconic Korean actress.

Previously, Son Ye-jin was selected as the brand ambassador for US skin care brand Skinceuticals and as luxury fashion brand Valentino’s muse. She was also the face of Crocodile’s woman apparel and Smart Communications Inc., a leading telecommunications service provider in the Philippines.

Other than Son Ye-jin, MSteam also represents internationally recognized actor Wi Ha-jun of SQUID GAME and top actress Lee Min-jung, who won the Top Excellence Award at the 2020 APAN Star Awards.

About Spackman Entertainment Group Limited

Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“SEGL” or the “Company“), and together with its subsidiaries, (the “Group“), is one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups. SEGL is primarily engaged in the independent development, production, presentation, and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Korea.

The Company was founded in 2011 by media and technology investor Charles Spackman who served as the Company’s Executive Chairman until 2017. For the past two decades, Mr. Charles Spackman has been a powerhouse in the Korean entertainment industry starting in the early 2000’s with the pioneering success of Sidus Pictures, the largest movie production company at the time and the first to be listed in Korea. Mr. Spackman is also the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the global investment firm, Spackman Group. For more information, please visit http://www.charlesspackman.com

Since its founding, SEGL had produced more than 30 major motion pictures including a number of the highest grossing and award-winning films in Korea, namely #ALIVE (2020), CRAZY ROMANCE (2019), DEFAULT (2018), MASTER (2016), THE PRIESTS (2015), SNOWPIERCER (2013), COLD EYES (2013) and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012).

Our films are theatrically distributed and released in Korea and overseas markets, as well as for subsequent post-theatrical worldwide release in other forms of media, including online streaming, cable TV, broadcast TV, IPTV, video-on-demand, and home video/DVD, etc. Generally, we release our motion pictures into wide-theatrical exhibition initially in Korea, and then in overseas and ancillary markets.

The Group also invests into and produces Korean television dramas. In addition to our content business, we also own equity stakes in entertainment-related companies and film funds that can financially and strategically complement our existing core operations. SEGL is listed on the Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited under the ticker 40E.

Production Labels

SEGL owns Novus Mediacorp Co., Ltd. (“Novus Mediacorp“), an investor, presenter, and/or post-theatrical distributor for a total of 79 films (58 Korean and 21 foreign) including ROSE OF BETRAYAL, THE OUTLAWS and SECRETLY, GREATLY, which was one of the biggest box office hits of 2013 starring Kim Soo-hyun of MY LOVE FROM THE STARS, as well as FRIEND 2: THE GREAT LEGACY. In 2012, Novus Mediacorp was also the post-theatrical rights distributor of ALL ABOUT MY WIFE, a top-grossing romantic comedy produced by Zip Cinema. In 2018, THE OUTLAWS, co-presented by Novus Mediacorp broke the all-time highest Video On Demand (“VOD“) sales records in Korea. For more information, please visit http://novusmediacorp.com

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Simplex Films Limited (“Simplex Films“) which is an early stage film production firm. The maiden film of Simplex Films, JESTERS: THE GAME CHANGERS (2019), was released in Korea on 21 August 2019. Simplex Films has several line-up of films including HURRICANE BROTHERS (working title).

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Take Pictures Pte. Ltd. (“Take Pictures“) which produced STONE SKIPPING (2020) and THE BOX (2021), and shall release GUARDIAN (working title) in 2022 tentatively.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Greenlight Content Limited (“Greenlight Content“) which is mainly involved in the business of investing into dramas and movies, as well as providing consulting services for the production of Korean content. Through the acquisition of Greenlight Content, the Group’s first co-produced drama, MY SECRET TERRIUS, starring top Korean star, So Ji Sub, achieved #1 in drama viewership ratings for its time slot and recorded double digits for its highest viewership ratings. Greenlight Content was one of the main investors of MY SECRET TERRIUS.

The Company owns a 20% equity interest in The Makers Studio Co. Ltd., which plans to produce and release four upcoming films, the first of which will be THE ISLAND OF THE GHOST’S WAIL, a comedy horror film.

Talent Representation

The Company holds an effective shareholding interest of 43.88% in Spackman Media Group Limited (“SMGL“). SMGL, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, together with its subsidiaries, is collectively one of the largest entertainment talent agencies in Korea in terms of the number of artists under management, including some of the top names in the Korean entertainment industry. SMGL operates its talent management business through renowned agencies such as MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Son Ye-jin, Lee Min-jung, Ko Sung-hee), UAA&CO Inc. (Song Hye-kyo, Yoo Ah-in, Park Hyung-sik), Fiftyone K Inc. (So Ji Sub, Ok Taec-yeon), SBD Entertainment Inc. (Son Suk-ku), and Kook Entertainment Co., Ltd. Through these full-service talent agencies in Korea, SMGL represents and guides the professional careers of a leading roster of award-winning actors/actresses in the practice areas of motion pictures, television, commercial endorsements, and branded entertainment. SMGL leverages its unparalleled portfolio of artists as a platform to develop, produce, finance and own the highest quality of entertainment content projects, including theatrical motion pictures, variety shows and TV dramas. This platform also creates and derives opportunities for SMGL to make strategic investments in development stage businesses that can collaborate with SMGL artists. SMGL is an associated company of the Company. For more information, please visit http://www.spackmanmediagroup.com

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Constellation Agency Pte. Ltd. (“Constellation Agency“). Constellation Agency, which owns The P Factory Co., Ltd. (“The P Factory“) and Platform Media Group Co., Ltd. (“PMG“), is primarily involved in the business of overseas agency for Korean artists venturing into the overseas market. The P Factory is an innovative marketing solutions provider specializing in event and branded content production. PMG is a talent management agency which represents and manages the careers of major artists in film, television, commercial endorsements and branded entertainment.

Strategic Businesses

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Frame Pictures Co., Ltd. (“Frame Pictures“). Frame Pictures is a leader in the movie/drama equipment leasing business in Korea. Established in 2014, Frame Pictures has worked with over 25 top directors and provided the camera and lighting equipment some of Korea’s most notable drama and movie projects including ITAEWON CLASS (2020), HOW TO BUY A FRIEND (2020), KIM JI-YOUNG, BORN 1982 (2019), FOUR MEN (2019) and ASADAL CHRONICLES (2019).

We also operate a café-restaurant, Upper West, in the Gangnam district of Seoul and own a professional photography studio, noon pictures Co., Ltd.

For more details, please visit http://www.spackmanentertainmentgroup.com/

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Laos to Trial Electric Garbage Trucks, Distribute Bins in Vientiane Capital

Laos receives electric mini garbage trucks
Laos receives electric mini garbage trucks.

Authorities in Vientiane Capital are trialing the use of electric garbage trucks and will distribute over a thousand waste collection bins in target villages.