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CJ ENM launches label dedicated to supporting content by Asian creators
South Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM has launched First Light StoryHouse, a new label dedicated to supporting content development by Asian creators. The label falls under CJ ENM’s newly unveiled Asian Content Initiative, aimed at elevating Asian voices on the global stage. The initiative is spearheaded by CJ Vice Chair Miky Lee, producer and former Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Janet Yang, and East West Bank Chair and CEO Dominic Ng. The trio will serve as foundin
July 30, 2025 -
EBS documentary events scheduled for late summer
South Korea’s public broadcaster EBS on Tuesday announced the return of its annual documentary-centered events that are open to the public. K-Docs Festival, which seeks to champion emerging Korean documentary filmmakers and introduce new local titles to a wider audience, is set to run from Aug. 20 to Aug. 22. Now in its fourth year, the event has adopted the title “festival” for the first time, signaling a broader push to engage industry professionals and everyday viewers alike. “This is our thi
July 29, 2025 -
Japanese version of 'Stove League' begins production
Studio S, the drama production arm of Seoul Broadcasting System, announced Thursday that it has officially kicked off production on the Japanese adaptation of its hit series “Stove League.” More than a straightforward remake, the upcoming series will be co-produced by Studio S and Japanese production house NTT Docomo Studio & Live, marking a continued push into cross-border collaboration. The original “Stove League,” which aired on SBS in 2019, follows Seung-soo (played by Namgung Min), who step
July 24, 2025 -
Iconic Korean variety shows gear up for major comebacks
Legendary Korean reality and competition series are making a comeback — with fresh casts, revamped formats and ambitious global editions in the pipeline. Mnet confirmed Monday that "Show Me the Money" will return for its 12th season. The popular rap competition series, credited with catapulting Korean hip-hop back into the mainstream and launching the careers of breakout stars like Loco, BeWhy and Basick, is set to begin production next month. A recent teaser released on YouTube hints at the sho
July 23, 2025 -
CJ ENM establishes first Korean entertainment subsidiary in Saudi Arabia
CJ ENM, a leading South Korean entertainment company, announced Wednesday the launch of its wholly-owned subsidiary, CJ ENM Middle East, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — becoming the first Korean entertainment firm to set up a branch in the country. CJ ENM said it is positioning the Middle East and North Africa region as a strategic growth engine, aiming to integrate its expertise in content creation, production and distribution with the region’s rapidly expanding entertainment infrastructure and cultu
July 23, 2025 -
‘Trigger’ hits Netflix as Songdo shooting shakes nation
Netflix Korea’s newest original series, "Trigger," held its press conference on Tuesday in a subdued mood, just one day after a shocking event occurred in Songdo International City, where a father allegedly shot and killed his son using a homemade gun. Set in a fictionalized present-day South Korea, where in reality gun ownership is still prohibited, the series delves into the fallout when ordinary citizens begin receiving mysterious packages containing guns -- a premise made all the more unsett
July 22, 2025 -
Six EMK musicals coming to Disney+ next month
Some of Korea’s most iconic homegrown musicals by EMK Musical Company are soon to be available via streaming. The leading South Korean producer of original and licensed musical productions announced Monday that six of its biggest titles — “Elisabeth,” “Phantom,” “Monte Cristo,” “The Man Who Laughs,” “Xcalibur” and “Marie Antoinette” — will be released on Disney+ next month for users in Korea. Among them, "Monte Cristo," "Phantom" and "Elisabeth" have already been made available through a variety
July 21, 2025 -
K-dramas embrace pop-ups amid shifting content landscape
In a rare shift for Korea’s television industry, drama series are increasingly adopting pop-up stores ― a marketing strategy more often undertaken by retail, K-pop or gaming brands. As streaming services extend the content viewing cycle, companies are turning to new marketing tactics to sustain fan enthusiasm over a longer period and carry that excitement into future projects. From June 29 to July 10, Netflix’s "Squid Game" rolled out a pop-up experience at Shinsegae Department Stores in Gangnam
July 19, 2025 -
‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ sweeps Blue Dragon Series Awards
Netflix’s hit drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" dominated this year’s Blue Dragon Series Awards, taking home four trophies, including the top honor, the Grand Prize. Now in its fourth year, the annual ceremony is a spinoff of the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards, created to recognize excellence in Korean streaming series. This year’s event was held Friday evening at Paradise City in Incheon. "Tangerines" emerged as the biggest winner of the night, securing awards for Grand Prize, Best Ac
July 19, 2025 -
'Non-celebrity risk' shakes Korean dating reality TV
Dating reality shows featuring ordinary people have gripped South Korean audiences for years now, with hits like "I'm Solo" consistently dominating the country's television ratings. But there's a dark side to the trend: as these shows gain popularity, the term “non-celebrity risk” has taken hold in the entertainment industry — referring to cases in which participants are later revealed to be involved in legal or ethical misconduct. The issue was thrust into the spotlight in late June when Seoul’
July 18, 2025 -
Netflix's most-watched shows see strong presence from non-English content: report
English-language shows are no longer dominating Netflix's most-watched list, its latest biannual engagement report showed, with non-English-language titles from the UK and South Korea boasting a strong global performance. The streaming service has released viewership data every six months for titles that surpass 50,000 hours of watch time since December 2023. The latest report, covering January to June, accounts for 99 percent of all viewing on the platform. Non-English series made up a signific
July 18, 2025 -
K-pop competition gathers together 160 global contestants competing for cross-cultural stardom
K-pop survival audition program “Boys II Planet” is set to premiere with a unique format featuring contestants from across the world. The show will follow over 160 aspiring K-pop singers as they embark on a journey divided between two teams: “Boys II Planet K,” composed of Korean trainees, and “Boys II Planet C,” primarily featuring trainees from Greater China. Together, they will compete for a chance to debut as a single boy group, though specifics such as the group’s final lineup, name, and co
July 16, 2025 -
Financial regulator raids SBS over suspected insider trading linked to Netflix deal
The Financial Services Commission on Tuesday raided the major TV station SBS over allegations that some of its officials engaged in illegal insider trading using undisclosed information about a partnership with Netflix, government sources said. The FSC's Capital Market Investigation Division carried out the raid while questioning an SBS official on charges of insider trading, according to the sources. The official is suspected of purchasing SBS shares upon learning of the company's planned strat
July 15, 2025 -
CJ ENM to host star-studded celebration of Korean pop culture
South Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM is set to host a star-studded celebration of Korean pop culture in Los Angeles. The “K-Culture Night at the Academy Museum with KCON" event is slated for July 31 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, one day ahead of CJ ENM’s flagship K-pop fan and artist festival, KCON LA 2025, which runs from Aug. 1-3. Presented as part of a strategic partnership between CJ ENM and the Academy Museum— one of the world’s premier institutions dedicated to the art
July 15, 2025 -
KBS to hold free Cho Yong-pil concert
Cho Yong-pil, a living legend of the Korean music industry, is set to return to the solo stage with a free concert slated for Sept. 6 at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome. Presented by national broadcaster KBS, the special event will air on KBS2 during the Chuseok holiday. This marks Cho’s first solo concert broadcast on public television in 17 years. The singer holds the distinction of being the first Korean artist to sell over 1 million copies of a single album, as well as being the first to surpass 10
July 14, 2025