A-TOP Universe to Hold First Concerts in Tokyo and Osaka in Three Weeks Following Partnership with Japan's YOANI GROUP

Global entertainment IP company A-TOP Universe (Co-CEOs Jin-young Jang and Kyung-il Lee, hereinafter A-TOP Universe) announced on the 9th that it has signed a strategic investment agreement worth approximately 300 million yen with Japan's YOANI GROUP (Yoyogi Animation Group Co., Ltd., CEO Masashi Kurata).

The contract was signed on August 25, 2026. The closing of the transaction, including the payment of investment funds and the issuance of new shares, is scheduled to take place on September 10, 2026, subject to the fulfillment of procedures under relevant laws and regulations and contractual preconditions.

This investment is a strategic partnership aimed at combining YOANI GROUP's Japanese entertainment capabilities and talent network with A-TOP Universe's K-pop production, training, A&R, character worldview, and global IP planning capabilities.

A-TOP Universe will proceed with the planning, production, and commercialization of IPs encompassing K-pop-based music, characters, stories, and performances, while YOANI GROUP will support business development and promotion based on its local network and business experience accumulated in the Japanese market.

Both companies plan to gradually review and promote cooperation in the following areas:

· Japanese music release, performances, streaming, and local business deployment for artists and IPs belonging to A-TOP Universe

· Support for Korean activities of artists, IPs, and students belonging to YOANI GROUP and its affiliates, and cooperation in K-pop-style vocal and dance training

· Development of professional K-pop and J-pop training programs by linking the education and training capabilities of both Korean and Japanese companies

· Joint planning and commercialization of new global IPs that combine music, characters, and storytelling

A-TOP Universe plans to utilize the funds raised through this investment for the production of music, video, character, and story content for entertainment IPs including COSMIC CODE, talent discovery and nurturing, and strengthening the business foundation and localization for entering the Japanese market. Specific joint businesses and schedules will be announced later through discussions between the two companies.

COSMIC CODE is a 5-member 2.5D idol IP that connects the singing and performance of actual members with 2D characters and narratives. Beings selected from five different planets convey courage, trust, happiness, hope, and passion through music, aiming for a structure where the activities of real-world artists and character content expand each other.

The first pre-debut digital single, "POKER FACE," to be released at 12:00 on September 9, contains the confession of youth who choose a quietly burning heart and "true love" without being swept away by momentary stimulation and flashy words. It will first present the 2.5D worldview of COSMIC CODE through music and character visuals that start from a neon city and sirens and spread into five colors of energy from a small light of the heart.

Starting with the pre-debut digital single "POKER FACE" at 12:00 on September 9, 2026, A-TOP Universe plans to sequentially release one digital single every week for five weeks, each containing the worldview and musical color of each of the five characters. Following "POKER FACE," subsequent singles will be released on September 16, 23, 30, and October 7 to gradually introduce the characters and narratives of each member.

Two weeks after the release of the last individual single, on October 21, a team album that combines the narratives and musical colors of the five characters into one will be released. They plan to sequentially present the process where the stories developed around individual characters connect into a single team worldview through music and character content.

Subsequently, they will hold the "COSMIC CODE JAPAN Pre-Debut Concert" at Tokyo Spotify O-EAST on November 13 and at Osaka Yogibo META VALLEY on November 14. Starting with the Japanese performances, A-TOP Universe plans to In earnest, the fusion (fully/formally) present next-generation entertainment content that organically connects music, characters, stories, and performances.

Masashi Kurata, CEO of YOANI GROUP, stated, "A-TOP Universe Co., Ltd. is a partner with IP planning capabilities that combine K-pop production and training capabilities with character and storytelling. Through this investment, we will create a new entertainment IP business model where Korean and Japanese talent and content grow together and expand into the global market."

Kyung-il Lee, Co-CEO of A-TOP Universe, said, "YOANI GROUP's investment is a strategic turning point that goes beyond simple capital participation to directly connect with Japan's talent and entertainment IP ecosystem. By combining the strengths of both companies, we will create a joint business model that can be continuously expanded in both Korea and Japan."

Jin-young Jang, Co-CEO of A-TOP Universe, stated, "The 'POKER FACE' being released this time is the starting point for COSMIC CODE to connect the voices and performances of reality with 2D character narratives into a single experience. Moving forward, we will gradually expand music, characters, stories, and performances, and develop it into a 2.5D idol IP that grows with fans by organically connecting the creative sensibilities and cultural strengths of Korea and Japan. Through this, we will pioneer a new entertainment market connecting Korea and Japan and lead the next-generation artist IP field."

Introduction to YOANI GROUP

YOANI GROUP (Yoyogi Animation Group Co., Ltd., CEO Masashi Kurata) is a Japanese company that develops next-generation entertainment IP businesses and is responsible for establishing and promoting the group's mid-to-long-term management strategies and supporting the management of group companies. It is building an ecosystem that leads from talent discovery and nurturing to content production and IP deployment.

Introduction to A-TOP Universe

A-TOP Universe (Co-CEOs Jin-young Jang and Kyung-il Lee) is a global entertainment IP company established in 2023, which carries out A&R, performances, vocal and dance training, character worldview, and content planning. It is developing global IPs that combine music, characters, and storytelling.

Press Release_KR_Korean_Standard_260909.docx

Press Release: https://works.do/GfPWQWz

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Organization: A-TOP Universe

· Category: Celebrity, Music, A-TOP Universe

· Distribution: September 9, 2026, 11:30 AM

Source: A-TOP Universe Press Release (Newswire)

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