In a groundbreaking move, DG Daiwa Ventures (DGDV), headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has announced its investment in Peex Inc., an innovative web novel studio based in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, led by CEO Woojae Jung. This investment, made during Peex's Series A funding round, underscores a significant shift in how content creation is approached in the industry, particularly through the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Real-Time Production: A New Era in Content Creation
The content industry faces several structural challenges, notably high variability in hit success and significant upfront production costs. Peex aims to address these issues using a concept they term "Real-time production on demand," which shifts away from the traditional model of content being consumed after production. Instead, Peex leverages AI agents to generate content in real time, aligning production directly with audience demand.
Through the use of advanced AI technology, Peex has automated the entire content creation process, from planning to writing and editing, which drastically reduces the average production time of web novels from six hours to approximately forty minutes. This efficiency not only optimizes production but also allows for a more responsive approach to content creation, ensuring that audiences get what they want when they want it.
Building an IP Expansion Model
Peex views web novels as the primary market suited for the mobile short-form era and continuously creates original intellectual property (IP) through in-house production. This self-produced content is designed for monetization through digital platforms, and it expands into other formats like webtoons, video, and games, all of which can be managed from a single platform. Peex plans to launch actual works in the latter half of 2024, with projections indicating they will reach breakeven within three productions.
Additionally, the company is actively broadening its distribution pipeline through publishing contracts, awards in contests, and strategic block deals, all contributing to its growth trajectory.
Expanding into the Short-Form Drama Sector
With a strong foundation established through web novel production, Peex is now expanding into the rapidly growing short-form drama market. Their AI agent for script generation efficiently streamlines the pre-production phase, from conceptualization to scripting, contributing to quicker revenue generation. Moreover, Peex is exploring collaborations with domestic content firms and global platforms to validate the applicability of its technology across various formats, including audio dramas, while also planning to extend its reach into global markets starting from Japan.
Investment Insight and Future Directions
DGDV's focus on Peex lies in recognizing the transformative potential of AI not merely as a support tool, but as a core infrastructure that can redefine the entire content industry. The ability to create and scale IP from web novels, coupled with AI strategies driven by real production data, positions Peex to be highly competitive in the global content ecosystem.
Through this investment, DGDV aims to support Peex in establishing a new standard for content creation in the era of AI, nurturing its development into a significant player within both the South Korean and global markets.
About PEEX Inc.
- - Established: July 2023
- - CEO: Woojae Jung
- - Focus: Development and production of web novels and short-form dramas, utilizing AI agents for original IP creation and multi-format expansion.
- - Website: Peex
About DGDV
DG Daiwa Ventures is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm focused on seed and early-stage startups. Engaging deeply with top global investors through joint investments and events, DGDV is committed to supporting advancements across a breadth of sectors, including AI, security, deep-tech, fintech, climate-tech, and robotics, aiming to transform startup ecosystems both locally and globally.