# Dear U

Dear U (Korean: 디어유) is a South Korean software development company under SM Studios, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SM Entertainment. The company was formerly called Everysing and was established in July 2017. It merged with Brinicle as it emphasized the union of information technology and entertainment business. It specializes in hosting multimedia content and artist-to-fan communications for artists and offers products and services including Everysing, Lysn, and Bubble.

## History
### 2017–2020: Establishment and merger

In July 2017, Dear U was established under the name of Everysing, which was founded by SM Entertainment with an investment of 6 billion won. In September 2018, Avex invested 5 billion won on the company with a capital increase of 500 million won. On January 1, 2019, the company merged with Brinicle, whose main business is software development and supply. After the merger, it provided a fan community platform, Bubble, as its main service. The flagship service of Dear U, Bubble, came from noting SM's experience in managing fan clubs and Brinicle's ability to develop messenger services. Lee Soo-man entrusted the chief executive officer position of the company to Ahn Jong-oh, who was also the CEO of Brinicle. Additionally, Lee has increased the related manpower pool while emphasizing the combination of information technology and entertainment business.

### 2021–present: Restructuring and stock acquisition

On March 16, 2021, Dear U announced that they have raised the annual salary of all its employees by 15 million won. The company raised its annual salary to secure high-quality manpower to develop Bubble and Lysn applications. Lee Hak-hee, the chief operating officer of the company stated that Dear U is "paying attention" in "securing competitiveness" through "excellent" human resources. Through a public announcement on April 5, SM Entertainment established a wholly-owned subsidiary to promote the restructuring of group affiliates and to improve business structure. It was reported that SM would invest in SM Studios as it established a new corporation with all shares of SM Culture & Contents, KeyEast, SM Life Design Group, Dear U, and Mystic Story, on which it seeks to streamline group management through a responsible management system as it plans to focus more on the music business.
On June 4, 2021, SM reported that JYP Entertainment had acquired a 23.3% stake in Dear U as it began to expand its influence in the platform business. JYP announced the acquisition of an additional 14.1% of the old common stock of the company owned by SM Studios. Previously, on May 26, JYP had an acquisition of 1,682,000 shares of the company's old common stock. It had a stake of 9.1%, at about 8.4 billion won, and the final number of shares acquired was 4,285,192 shares with a 23.3% stake, and the investment amount was about 21.4 billion won. Its goal is to grow Dear U Bubble into a competitive mobile platform in the global market, noting the "synergy" between the two companies with global networks.
Previously, the entertainment industry and investment banking industry reported that Dear U is currently undergoing due diligence to apply for a preliminary examination for listing on the Korea Exchange. On June 11, 2021, the company submitted a preliminary review request for KOSDAQ listing to the Korea Exchange and started the initial public offering (IPO) process. It aims to be listed in the second half of this year in order to establish itself as a leading company in the global market, and the listing organizer is Korea Investment & Securities. Through the IPO, the company is planning to increase its "corporate awareness" and invest in developing a global message platform that will provide various services such as entering overseas markets and expanding platforms such as metaverse. It listed about 16,812,769 shares, of which near 20% will be put up for public offering.

## Products and services
### Lysn and Bubble service

Dear U's core business, Dear U Bubble, is a service platform that receives personal messages written by artists. It can be downloaded from application markets and purchase it as a regular subscription for 4,500 won per month. Starting with SM Entertainment, Dear U Bubble, which was launched in February 2020, has signed contracts with a total of 25 local entertainment companies, including JYP Entertainment, FNC Entertainment, Jellyfish Entertainment, WM Entertainment, Brand New Music, Play M Entertainment, Top Media, RBW and Mystic Story, and is currently with a total of 39 groups and 21 solo artists, with a total of 247 artists. It was reported that the service has a "steady increase" in the number of subscribers, with the current share of global users reaching 70%. In the future, it plans to recruit not only Korean artists, but also American and Japanese artists as it plans on continuing to expand various additional services in order to strengthen its position as a "global platform".
List of Bubble services offered by Dear U :
| Application | Participating Artist | Company |
| Lysn | Artists Kangta TVXQ! – U-Know Yunho, Max Changmin Super Junior – Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Siwon, Kyuhyun Girls' Generation – Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany (as Sublime Artist Agency artist), Hyoyeon, Yuri, Yoona Shinee – Onew, Key, Minho, Taemin Exo – Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun Red Velvet – Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, Yeri NCT – Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung WayV – Kun, Ten, Winwin, Xiaojun, Hendery, Yangyang aespa – Karina, Giselle, Winter, Ningning Lucas | SM Entertainment |
| Bubble for Jellyfish | Artists Kim Se-jeong Kim Min-kyu Verivery – Dongheon, Hoyoung, Minchan, Gyehyeon, Yeonho, Yongseung, Kangmin VIXX – Leo, Hyuk, Ken | Jellyfish Entertainment |
| Bubble for JYPnation | Artists 2PM – Jun. K, Nichkhun, Wooyoung, Junho Day6 – Sungjin, Young K, Wonpil, Dowoon Twice – Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, Tzuyu Stray Kids – Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, I.N ITZY – Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, Yuna NiziU – Mako, Rio, Maya, Riku, Ayaka, Mayuka, Rima, Miihi, Nina Nmixx - Lily, Haewon, Sullyoon, Bae, Jiwoo, Kyujin Xdinary Heroes - Gunil, Jungsu, Gaon, O.de, Jun Han, Jooyeon J. Y. Park | JYP Entertainment |
| Bubble for WM | Artists B1A4 – CNU, Sandeul, Gongchan ONF – Hyojin, E-Tion, J-Us, Wyatt, MK, U Chaeyeon Oh My Girl - Hyojung, Mimi, Seunghee, Yubin, Arin | WM Entertainment |
| Bubble for Top | Artists Teen Top – Ricky, Changjo Up10tion – Jinhoo, Kuhn, Kogyeol, Bitto, Sunyoul, Gyujin, Hwanhee, Xiao Kim Woo-seok Lee Jin-hyuk | Top Media |
| Bubble for IST | Artists Victon – Han Seung-woo, Kang Seung-sik, Lim Se-jun, Do Han-se, Choi Byung-chan, Jung Su-bin Apink – Jung Eun-ji, Kim Nam-joo, Oh Ha-young Bandage - Lee Chan-sol, Kang Kyoung-yoon, Shin Hyun-bin Weeekly - Lee Soo-jin, Monday, Park So-eun, Lee Jae-hee, Jihan, Zoa The Boyz - Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo, Eric | IST Entertainment |
| Bubble for RBW | Artists Oneus – Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong, Xion Onewe – Yonghoon, Harin, Kanghyun, Dongmyeong, CyA Purple Kiss – Na Go-eun, Dosie, Ireh, Yuki, Chaein, Swan Park Ji-eun Mamamoo+ - Solar, Moonbyul | RBW |
| Bubble with Stars | Artists Chungha Kim Jae-hwan BDC – Kim Si-hun, Hong Seong-jun, Yun Jung-hwan Yoon Jong-shin JeA Minseo Lucy – Shin Ye-chan, Choi Sang-yeop, Jo Won-sang, Shin Gwang-il Yukika Hyolyn Yoon Ji-sung AleXa OnlyOneOf – KB, Rie, Yoojung, Junji, Mill, Nine Kang Hye-won A.C.E – Jun, Donghun, Wow, Kim Byeong-kwan, Chan TO1 – Donggeon, Chan, Jisu, Jaeyun, J.You, Kyungho, Daigo, Renta, Yeojeong Kim Min-ju DreamNote – Boni, Youi, Lara, Miso, Sumin, Eunjo STAYC – Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon, J Tri.be – Songsun, Kelly, Jinha, Hyunbin, Jia, Soeun, Mire Yuju Hong Eui-jin Laboum Nature - Sohee, Aurora, Saebom, Lu, Chaebin, Haru, Roha, Uchae BZ-Boys - Choi Tae-woong, Bon, Double.D, Jeong Seung-hyun, Lee Ha-min Seori 10cm - Kwon Jung-yeol Se So Neon - So Yoon Kim So-won Jamie Minzy Raon DKB - E-Chan, Teo, D1, GK, Heechan, Lune, Junseo, Yuku, Harry June Yoo Chae-hoon Gaho Luminous - Youngbin, Suil, Steven, Woobin Ciipher - Tan, Hwi, Hyunbin, Keita, Tag, Dohwan, Won BAE173 - J-Min, Hangyul, Yoojun, Muzin, Junseo, Youngseo, Doha, Bit, Dohyon Yoo Ji-ae Noze Cnema - Kim Seul-ong, Byun Jeong-ho, Im Yoon-seong, Kitak Bolbbalgan4 Woo!ah! – Nana, Wooyeon, Sora, Lucy, Minseo Seo Ji-soo Mirae - Lien, Lee Jun-hyuk, Yoo Do-hyun, Kael, Son Dong-pyo, Park Si-young, Jang Yu-bin Yoon Seo-bin Aiki (Hook) Billlie - Moon Sua, Suhyeon, Haram, Tsuki, Sheon, Siyoon, Haruna H1-Key - Seoi, Riina, Hwiseo, Yel Lee Woo Kim Han-gyul Kim Do-hee Seo Wool Son Ho-young Jeon Somi Craxy - Woo-ah, Karin, Hyejin, Swan, ChaeY Blitzers - Jinhwa, Go_U, Juhan, Sya, Chris, Lutan, Wooju Monika (Prowdmom) Lip J Heo Young-saeng Xeed - Doha, Bao, Jaemin, Roni Boramiyu Choi Yu-ree CSR - Sua, Seoyeon, Yeham, Geumhee, Duna, Sihyeon, Yuna Kard - J.Seph, BM, Somin, Jiwoo Ryu Su-jeong Teen Top - Niel Hwanhee Young-jae Yerin Yein Ichillin' - Jiyoon, E.Ji, Jackie, Joonie, Chaerin, Yeju, Chowon AIMERS - Seunghyun, Eunjun, Doryun, Yoel, Seunghwan, Wooyoung Tiffany Young Mimiirose - Hyori, Yeonjae, Yewon, Jia, Yunju WEi - Daehyeon, Donghan, Yongha, Yohan, Seokhwa, Junseo AB6IX - Woong, Donghyun, Woojin, Daehwi B.I Monsta X - I.M Choi Ye-na Tempest - Hanbin, Hyeongseop, Hyuk, Eunchan, Lew, Hwarang, Taerae Kep1er - Yujin, Xiaoting, Mashiro, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, Youngeun, Yeseo Jo Yu-ri Adora Kwon Eun-bi Drippin - Yunseong, Hyeop, Changuk, Dongyun, Minseo, Junho, Alex Song Yuvin | Companies MNH Entertainment Swing Entertainment Brand New Music Mystic Story Ubuntu Entertainment Bridʒ DG Entertainment ZB Label 8D Entertainment Beat Interactive Wake One Entertainment S2 Entertainment Urban Works Media Management SOOP iMe Korea High Up Entertainment TR Entertainment Universal Music Korea Mellow Entertainment Konnect Entertainment Interpark Music Plus n.Ch Entertainment Chrome Entertainment ATISPAUS Magic Strawberry Sound OUI Entertainment Warner Music Korea MZ Entertainment Accelers Brave Entertainment MAJOR9 Moss Music Studio Jamm Planetarium Records SE Group Entertainment Rain Company PocketDol Studio KPlus MOLIP KOREA WAACKERS FLO Shofar Entertainment NV Entertainment DSP Media Peace Angels Company GLG Sony Music Korea KH Company The Black Label Sai Entertainment Wuzo Entertainment YS Company MYDOLL Entertainment NATURE SPACE A2Z Entertainment House of Dreams NEW ENTRY BT Entertainment Sublime KM Entertainment HYPER RHYTM Yes Im Entertainment Totalset Entertainment 131 Label IOK Music Yuehua Entertainment Aura Entertainment Woollim Entertainment Flex M |
| Bubble for Starship | Artists Monsta X - Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney WJSN - Seola, Bona, Exy, Soobin, Eunseo, Yeoreum, Dayoung, Yeonjung Cravity - Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, Seongmin Ive - Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Wonyoung, Liz, Leeseo | Starship Entertainment |
| Bubble for Cube | Artists BtoB - Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub, Hyunsik, Peniel, Sungjae (G)I-dle - Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, Shuhua Lightsum - Sangah, Chowon, Nayoung, Hina, Juhyeon, Yujeong Oh Seung-hee Kwon Eun-bin | Cube Entertainment |
| Bubble for BPM | Artists Ren Viviz - Eunha, SinB, Umji Soyou | BPM Entertainment |
| Bubble for Sports | Athletes Kim Yeon-koung Yang Hyo-jin Yoo Hee-kwan Choi Ji-man Jeong Seung-won Kim A-lang Hwang Dae-heon Kwon Soon-woo Kim Da-gyeom Han Yoo-mi | — |
| Bubble for Actors | Actors/Actresses Im Soo-hyang Park Jin-young Ahn Bo-hyun Shin Eun-soo Shin Ye-eun Kim Kang-min Danny Ahn Kim Joo-ryoung Park Ji-bin Oh Seung-hoon Jang Gyu-ri Han Gyu-min Lee Seo-young Joo Hyun-young Cha Woo-min Ham Sung-min Park Ji-hwan Jung Da-eun Shin Yeon-suh Lee Hyun-wook Jeong Taek-hyeon | Companies FN Entertainment BH Entertainment Npio Entertainment Mystic Story Cuz-9 Entertainment Just Entertainment Urban Works Origin Entertainment AIMC Big Smile Entertainment Muea Entertainment Management Air |
| Bubble for Treasure Hunter | Content Creators Kim Egg (김달걀) Kkulkkul Suna (꿀꿀선아) Friendshiping (우정잉) Edmmer (에드머) Wanana (와나나) Chodan (쵸단) | Treasure Hunter |
| Bubble for INB100 | Artists Xiumin Baekhyun Chen | INB100 |
| Bubble for GOLDMEDALIST | Artists Kim Soo-Hyun Choi Hyun-wook Kim Su-gyeom Lee Chae-min | Gold Medalist |
List of defunct Bubble services offered by Dear U :
| Application | Participating Artist | Company | Date of defunct | Ref. |
| Bubble for FNC | Artists F.T. Island – Lee Hong-gi, Lee Jae-jin, Choi Min-hwan CNBLUE – Jung Yong-hwa, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Jung-shin AOA - Hyejeong, Seolhyun, Chanmi N.Flying – SeungHyub, Cha Hun, Kim Jae-hyun, Yoo Hwe-seung, Seo Dong-sung SF9 – Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Dawon, Zuho, Yoo Tae-yang, Hwiyoung, Chani | FNC Entertainment | December 31, 2022 | |