RBW announced that its subsidiary WM Entertainment has acquired 257 Entertainment, integrating the latter's assets and artists to strengthen its multi-label system. The deal highlights the addition of XLOV, K-pop's first genderless boy group, which debuted in January 2025. This move aims to accelerate RBW's global presence in the industry.
On March 11, 2026, RBW, a comprehensive content company known for artists like Mamamoo, Oh My Girl, and KARD, revealed that its subsidiary WM Entertainment signed a comprehensive business transfer contract with 257 Entertainment. The acquisition includes all IP assets, artists' exclusive rights, and the full business operations, encompassing executives and employees. Post-acquisition, integration processes (PMI) have begun to merge the entities.
Park Jae-yong, CEO of 257 Entertainment, will join as co-CEO of WM Entertainment, partnering with existing CEO Kim Jin-woo. This leadership combination is expected to blend creativity with established infrastructure from RBW, DSP Media, and WM Entertainment.
A key focus of the deal is XLOV (also referred to as X-Love), comprising members Umuti, Louis, Hyun, and Haru. The group, which debuted in January 2025, positions itself as the first genderless male idol act in K-pop. XLOV gained prominence through Mnet's "Boyz Planet" audition program and cultivated a dedicated global fandom, EVOL, prior to debut. RBW views XLOV as a 'global rookie' to drive international expansion.
RBW CEO Kim Jin-woo stated, "We highly value 257 Entertainment's original creativity. We have no doubt that this acquisition will create strong synergy by integrating the business infrastructure and know-how of RBW, DSP Media, and WM Entertainment. We will do our best to expand X-Love IP in the global market."
Park Jae-yong added, "Through this cooperation, we will be able to expand the K-pop trend to the world faster. We thank X-Love and fandom EVOL for their unwavering support, and we will continue to move forward patiently."
With this integration, RBW enhances its lineup, including ONEWE, Ahn Ye-eun, and GABINJ, solidifying a system that covers production, planning, and global distribution. The acquisition underscores RBW's strategy to consolidate multi-label synergies in the competitive K-pop landscape.
