18 July 2025 — In a landmark moment for Southeast Asia’s gaming industry, PlayPark, WEBZEN, and Kingnet have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch MU New Dawn, the latest installment in the legendary MU franchise — delivering a seamless cross-platform experience on both mobile and PC.
The signing ceremony, held under the theme #FIRSTLIGHTOFDAWN, took place at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit and was attended by key representatives from all three companies: Quach Dong Quang, Chief Executive Officer of PlayPark; Richard Yangki Song, Executive Vice President of WEBZEN; and Zhu Xiaoxu, Chief Business Officer representing Kingnet.
PlayPark: Powering Southeast Asia’s Return to MU
Krispol Jaijongrak, Co-Chief Operating Officer and representative of PlayPark, opened the ceremony with a warm welcome, expressing both pride and a strong sense of purpose in the company’s mission.
“It’s a true pleasure to stand before you today at this exciting moment in gaming history. We are here to celebrate not just a new game, but a new dawn for the legendary MU IP across Southeast Asia.”
Reflecting on MU’s lasting impact, Krispol paid tribute to its roots in the region:
“MU has always held a special place in gamers’ hearts —it’s a generational experience.” Many of our players grew up with MU Online in internet cafés era, and today they’re looking for that same sense of adventure on both Mobile and PC”
Southeast Asia’s gaming market is a gaming powerhouse with over 270 million gamers across the region. The market generated significant revenue last year, and is projected to continue its strong growth, potentially surpassing USD 7 billion by 2028. But beyond the stats, what stands out is the player’s behavior. They are incredibly engaged — social, competitive, and loyal.
MU remains strongest in Thailand and the Philippines. The Philippines has over 43 million gamers, many of whom are active in guilds and online communities, making it one of the most socially driven gaming audiences in the region. Followed by Thailand, with over 32 million gamers, continues to embrace legacy IPs like MU, bridging generations of players. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s mobile-first growth, alongside the quality-focused, connected communities in Singapore and Malaysia, presents strong opportunities for deeper expansion.
“With MU’s rich legacy and gameplay, we’re confident that MU: New Dawn will resonate strongly with players. Backed by localized marketing campaigns and a deep understanding of the SEA gaming audience, our goal is to break into the Top 10 mobile game rankings. More importantly, we aim to establish MU: New Dawn as the leading MU title across all platforms.”
PlayPark, with over two decades of publishing experience and a presence in six countries, plays a vital role in the partnership:
“Webzen brings the MU legacy. Kingnet contributes mobile development excellence. And PlayPark brings regional insight, publishing leadership, and a direct connection with the player community.”
“To fans across Southeast Asia — thank you for standing with us all these years. MU: New Dawn is our way of honoring your loyalty and bringing that spirit into a new era.” Krispol concluded “We’re excited to welcome you back to the world of MU”
WEBZEN: Honoring 20 Years of MU IP, Reuniting with Playpark to Shape the Future with Local Heart
Representing WEBZEN, Richard Yangki Song, Executive Vice President, commenced his address by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the fans, whose passion and loyalty have fueled the MU IP’s journey over the past two decades.
He went on to outline WEBZEN’s evolution through three defining chapters.
The first, “Made in WEBZEN,” began in 2001, marking WEBZEN’s bold entry into game development with titles like MU Online Metin, Metin2, Archlord, R2, S.U.N., and C9— establishing the company as a pioneer in the MMORPG genre.
The second chapter, “Building the IP Ecosystem,” started in 2014 and signaled a strategic shift toward a more scalable and collaborative model. Through licensing and close partnerships with talented global development teams, the original PC game was thoughtfully reimagined across new platforms and formats.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, WEBZEN is preparing for its third chapter: “Down-To-The-Ground” — a strategy focused on deeper engagement with users and markets. As the IP owner, WEBZEN is taking a more active role in selecting and working closely with local publishers to ensure top-tier quality and culturally relevant experiences.
At the heart of this new phase is WEBZEN’s renewed partnership with Playpark, a trusted collaborator who previously brought MU Online to Southeast Asia in 2020.
“We’re thrilled to reunite with Playpark,” said Song. “They captured the hearts of Southeast Asian players with care and precision — and we believe they’re the perfect partner to bring that same joy to our users once again.”
This collaboration centers on the upcoming title MU: New Dawn, developed by KingNet, known for its deep respect for the franchise’s legacy. The game delivers a faithful recreation of the classic MU experience, refreshed with engaging gameplay tailored for today’s mobile audience.
Song concluded by highlighting the partnership with Playpark and KingNet as essential to delivering an authentic, high-quality experience — one thoughtfully crafted for the fans whose enduring support has shaped the very heart of MU.
KINGNET: Driving Innovation, Honoring the MU Legacy
Representing Kingnet Network Co., Ltd., Chief Business Officer Zhu Xiaoxu addressed the audience with confidence and gratitude:
“Established in 2008, Kingnet is now one of China’s leading online game companies, listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Over the past 15 years, we have continued to expand and evolve, focusing on the development, operation, and publishing of mobile games.”
“We proudly created many successful titles, including Legend of Miracles, Blue Moon Legend, Gundam Showdown, King’s Legend, and Chinese Paladin: A New Beginning — all of which made a strong mark on the international game market.”
Zhu Xiaoxu highlighted the company’s longstanding partnership with Webzen in China, particularly around the MU franchise:
“We have built a strong foundation with Webzen through years of collaboration on the MU IP in China. Now, with the launch of MU New Dawn, we are honored to bring that partnership to the international stage — together with PlayPark, Southeast Asia’s leading game publisher.”
Zhu Xiaoxu closed with a forward-looking message:
“Once again, I’d like to thank PlayPark and Webzen for their trust and collaboration. We hope this is only the beginning of many exciting projects together — not only for the MU IP, but also for other titles yet to come.”
Built on Legacy. Powered by Community.
MU New Dawn preserves the soul of the franchise — from character classes to lore — while introducing modern combat, sleek UI, and deep regional localization.
“We’re not just launching a game — we’re launching an ecosystem. It’s a new dawn, but the heart remains the same.” said Krispol.
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