MBK Partners

MBK Partners was founded in 2005 by Michael ByungJu Kim and several other senior Asian executives from the Carlyle Group.^{[2][5][6][7][8]}

In January 2022, a 13% stake of the firm was sold to Dyal Capital Partners.^[8]

MBK Partners' investment focus is in North Asian regions, namely China, Japan and South Korea.^[2][3]

MBK Partners has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo.^[9]

In May 2009, MBKP and Goldman Sachs acquired a 98.3% stake in Universal Studios Japan for US$1.4 billion.^[13]

In August 2013, MBKP acquired ING's South Korean insurance unit for total cash proceeds of 1.84 trillion won ($1.65 billion).^[14]

In November 2014, MBKP sold accounting software maker, Yayoi Co to Japanese financial services provider, Orix Corp for 80 billion yen ($691 million).

In September 2015, Tesco sold its South Korean business, Homeplus, to MBKP, CPPIB and Temasek Holdings for £4 billion.^[15]

In October 2016, MBKP and TPG Capital acquired Wharf T&T from The Wharf (Holdings) for HK$9.5 billion ($1.2 billion).^[16] In August 2018, Wharf T&T was sold to Hong Kong's telecom operator HKBN for HK$10.5 billion ($1.34 billion).^[17]

In February 2019, MBKP acquired Godiva Chocolatier's Asian-Pacific operations for $1.5 billion.^[18]

In February 2025, MBKP acquired a controlling stake in FICT, a Japanese semiconductor equipment manufacturer.^[19]