Under the Queen's Umbrella

- Awards ceremony on February 10, honors visionaries for global impact and sustainability

- Visionaries from global projects, including <Severance (U.S.)> and <Marry My Husband (Japan)>, attended the event, highlighting CJ ENM’s global expansion

- The venue was designed around the concept of the Originality Construction Site, representing a space where one story does not end, but a new one begins

SEOUL, Feb 11, 2026 — Leading entertainment company CJ ENM hosted the 2026 VISIONARY AWARDS on Feb. 10 at its CJ ENM Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, recognizing visionaries with proven cultural impact and long-term sustainability across the global entertainment industry.

Since 2020, CJ ENM has designated as “Visionaries” the creators and works that have introduced new creative visions to the entertainment industry and expanded their cultural impact worldwide through distinctive originality. This year, viewing characters as a core driver of IP competitiveness that are widely loved by global audiences and scalable across multiple genres and platforms, CJ ENM selected the actors who portrayed these characters, along with the directors, producers, and writers who created them from six globally acclaimed titles, as the 2026 Visionaries. The honorees include <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty>, <Boys II Planet>, <Severance>, <Marry My Husband>, <Our Unwritten Seoul>, and <Study Group>.

The awards venue was specially designed around the theme of an “Originality Construction Site,” envisioned as a space for building a House of Inspiration. The originality of a story is not a finished product but a process of deconstruction and reconstruction that leads to the next narrative. The Visionary Awards embody this philosophy, symbolizing a place where one story does not end, but a new one begins.

The ceremony brought together Visionaries who, over the past year, collaborated with CJ ENM to create original IPs that captured global audiences. This year, the event drew particular attention as Visionaries from international co-productions and overseas projects attended, including producer Nicholas Weinstock of <Severance (U.S.)> and Takeru Satoh of <Marry My Husband (Japan)>.

Miky Lee, Vice Chairwoman of CJ Group, said in a congratulatory video message, "Technology has brought the world closer than ever, but it is stories that truly bring people together. Your stories carry the power to shape the world and inspire the next generation to dream bigger. CJ ENM will be your partner in this journey."

Lim YoonA from <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty> shared her award remarks, saying, “It was a great joy to portray Yeon Ji-young, a strong and wise character who never loses her dream, no matter the circumstances.” Lee Chae Min expressed his aspirations, stating, “I hope to contribute to the global expansion of K-dramas and K-culture.” Director Chang Tae You shared his creative approach, explaining, “While creating a work that blends fantasy, romance, and food, I focused on delivering an intuitive and enjoyable experience for viewers without letting the various elements clash. I paid particular attention to maintaining the balance between character growth and romance in this food-survival drama.”

ALPHA DRIVE ONE from <Boys II Planet> said, “Boys II Planet gave us our first opportunity to meet the world. We are also grateful to ALLYZ for always believing in and supporting us.” They added, “We will carry the meaning of being Visionaries in our hearts and strive to deliver a cathartic experience on stages around the globe.” Producer Kim Shin Young shared her insights, stating, “The essence of an idol audition program lies in convincing viewers of the appeal of its characters through compelling storytelling, and this is a non-negotiable principle. Maintaining a relentless focus on characters and story is what sets Mnet’s audition programs apart.”

Park Min Young from <Marry My Husband> said, “This project was like a second chance in my life. While it tells a Korean story, I learned that sincerity resonates with audiences worldwide.” Takeru Satoh added, “As actors, we are constantly thinking about how to make the roles we play more compelling and more loved by the audiences. It's a great honor to be here with all of you professionals who create these unforgettable characters.” Son Jay, the producer who led both the Korean and Japanese versions, shared her directorial philosophy, stating, “We paid close attention to the cultural differences and audience perspectives between Korea and Japan. While the Korean version focused on more intuitive storytelling, the Japanese version emphasized subtle emotional expression and interpersonal relationships, allowing two distinct versions of the drama to be realized.”

Park Bo Young from <Our Unwritten Seoul> referenced a memorable line from the drama, “Yesterday is over, tomorrow is far away, and today is still unknown,” expressing her gratitude by saying, “This work will shine brightly in my filmography for years to come.” Writer Lee Kang added, “I completed this project leaning on the support of many people. I feel that my goal of writing a story that offers even a little comfort has been partially achieved, and I am truly grateful for the greater comfort I have received in return.”

Nicholas Weinstock, producer of <Severance>, praised the event, saying, “In the past few years as people are talking about Korean dramas and comedies and K-pop and all of it. I'm very excited about the commitment that many of us in this room are making to telling great and bold stories. I think there’s a reason CJ ENM is giving the Visionary Award rather than a quarterly revenues award. I believe it’s a company devoted to boldness and creativity. He also expressed his admiration for Youn Yuh-jung, a 2021 Visionary and the first Korean actor to receive an Academy Award, who appeared as a presenter at the event. “I watched Minari three times in a row just to see her performance,” he said. Adam Scott greeted Korean fans in a congratulatory video, saying, “I love playing Mark. It's the character I've been waiting to play my entire career.”

Hwang Min Hyun from <Study Group> expressed his appreciation to the Wanna One members who attended the event to support him, saying, “As I prepare for Study Group Season 2, I will do my best to show a more grown-up version of myself.” Director Lee Jang Hoon expressed his gratitude, saying, “This has been a very meaningful project. My son, who is serving in the military, even told me that he respects his father more because of it. Adapting the original webtoon was challenging, but it was made possible thanks to Hwang Min Hyun.” The event also featured a performance by ZEROBASEONE’s Park Gun Wook and Seok Matthew, who contributed to the Study Group OST.

CJ ENM CEO Yoon Sang-hyun stated, “The most compelling stories begin with characters shaped together by creators and artists. We will expand ONLYONE IPs, stories that become life-defining works for audiences worldwide and build a new ecosystem for the global cultural business.”

- The 2026 Visionary spotlights CJ ENM’s IP characters and character builders driving cultural impact and sustainability across the global entertainment industry

- Key figures behind six standout IPs, including <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty>, <Boys II Planet>, <Marry My Husband (Korean and Japanese versions)>, <Our Unwritten Seoul>, and <Study Group>, were selected

- “We will continue to expand distinctive IPs that captivate audiences worldwide and present a new vision for K-content on the global stage”

 Leading entertainment company CJ ENM announced that it has selected characters and character builders who captivated audiences worldwide with distinctive creative sensibilities as the ‘2026 Visionary.’

The 2026 Visionary evaluated CJ ENM IPs across all major sectors in 2025, including television, film, music, and OTT platforms. Following an initial assessment based on commercial performance, platform contribution, and public recognition, 20 members of the CJ ENM Selection Committee conducted in-depth reviews to determine the final recipients, with a focus on IP sustainability and character impact.

This year’s Visionaries include the key characters and character builders behind six standout IPs: <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty>, <Boys II Planet>, <Severance>, <Marry My Husband (Korean and Japanese versions)>, <Our Unwritten Seoul>, and <Study Group>.

One of the biggest K-drama hits of 2025, <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty>, captivated audiences worldwide, ranking No. 1 on Netflix’s global non-English rankings for two consecutive weeks and remaining in the Top 10 for ten weeks. The characters Yeon Ji-young and Yi Heon, portrayed by Lim YoonA and Lee Chae Min, resonated with viewers through heartfelt storytelling centered on sincere cooking and a romance that moved beyond conventional notions of good and evil. Director Jang Tae Yoo was named a 2026 Visionary for showcasing Korean flavors and sensibilities with universal resonance across cultures.

<Boys II Planet> brought together fans from 223 countries and regions through CJ ENM’s global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus, giving rise to the next generation of K-POP icons. The eight-member group ALPHA DRIVE ONE quickly established itself as a “super rookie,” achieving million-seller status with its debut album and delivering the exhilarating momentum of K-POP to audiences worldwide. Producer Kim Shin Young, who designed and orchestrated this global journey, was named a 2026 Visionary for weaving the collective choices of millions of fans into a single, compelling narrative.

Produced by CJ ENM’s global studio FIFTH SEASON, <Severance> stands as a premium series distinguished by its original world-building and sophisticated storytelling. The series earned a record 27 nominations at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, the most for a single title, and won eight awards, including Best Actress. Adam Scott’s portrayal of Mark Scout anchored the series’ complex narrative, while producer Nicholas Weinstock drove record-breaking viewership on Apple TV, setting a new benchmark for premium content.

Released in both Korea and Japan, <Marry My Husband> demonstrated the global scalability of K-IP alongside CJ ENM’s refined localization capabilities. Upon release, the Japanese version drew record-breaking viewership over its first month, becoming the most-watched Amazon Original drama in Japan. Takeru Satoh reinterpreted revenge as a forward-looking narrative through Suzuki Wataru, while Park Min Young’s Kang Ji-won set a new benchmark for K-revenge storytelling by claiming agency over her own fate. Producer Son Jay of Studio Dragon was recognized as a Visionary for proving the global competitiveness of K-content planning and production beyond conventional remakes.

<Our Unwritten Seoul> was selected by TIME magazine as one of the “10 Best K-Dramas of 2025,” praised as a work in which “the diversity of both the characters and setting, as Mi-ri and Mi-ji move between Seoul and their rural hometown, imbues a universality to these thematic depictions that is as inclusive as it is moving.” Park Bo Young’s dual roles as Mi-ji and Mi-rae stood out as symbols of connection and growth, while writer Lee Kang was named a 2026 Visionary for creating another defining work marked by resonant dialogue and emotional depth.

TVING Original <Study Group> won best original production by a streamer (Fiction) at the 2025 Asian Academy Creative Awards, underscoring the platform’s competitiveness as a leading global K-culture OTT service. Hwang Min Hyun delivered a breakout performance as Youn Ga-min, a character that felt as though it had stepped straight out of the original work, while director Lee Jang Hoon emerged as a Visionary for unlocking the global appeal of K-school action content.

A CJ ENM representative stated, “Throughout 2025, CJ ENM continued to explore new creative frontiers across television, music, platforms, and global content, captivating audiences worldwide with our distinctive characters and stories. As a global IP powerhouse, we will continue to introduce IPs loved by audiences around the world and present a future vision for a sustainable K-content industry.”

Meanwhile, CJ ENM will host THE VISIONARY AWARDS Ceremony on February 10 at the CJ ENM Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, with domestic and international award recipients in attendance, continuing its commitment to spotlighting the future of the global entertainment industry.

Studio Dragon's hit series 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' has officially ranked as the third most-watched title globally in terms of total hours viewed across all series content on Netflix for the second half of 2025.

According to the 'What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report' for H2 2025 released on the 21st, 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' amassed an impressive 588.3 million hours viewed during the period. This performance places the series at the very top of the global charts, trailing only 'Wednesday Season 2' (#1 with 964.1M hours) and 'Stranger Things 5' (#2 with 879.7M hours), reflecting the immense global popularity of the show.

Originally released in August last year through tvN, TVING, and Netflix, 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' is a time-slip romantic comedy in which Yeon Ji-young(Lim Yoon-a), a French chef who cannot tolerate anything less than the best cuisine, becomes the royal chef of Yeonhuigun(Lee Chae-min), the worst tyrant and demanding gourmet, and survives each day by cooking delicious food. Its unique blend of time-travel fantasy, romance, and traditional Korean cuisine captivated audiences worldwide, surpassing 100 million cumulative hours viewed within just three weeks of release and achieving a peak viewership rating of 20% on tvN, becoming the most talked-about drama of 2025.

Studio Dragon, which supplies content to various global platforms, continues to prove its unparalleled production competitiveness by consistently delivering K-drama mega-hits year after year. Since the first Netflix bi-annual engagement report was released, Studio Dragon's productions have remained global mainstays: 'The Glory' ranked No. 3 in H1 2023 (622.8M hours), and 'Queen of Tears' secured the No. 3 spot in H1 2024 (682.6M hours), showcasing the power of K-romance.

"This year, we are set to unveil a diverse lineup of new originals, including 'Teach You a Lesson', 'Notes from the Last Row', and 'Slow, but Intensive' on Netflix, as well as 'Gold Land' on Disney+," said a representative from Studio Dragon. "Additionally, several other major projects, such as 'Yumi’s Cells Season 3' are slated for global release soon as we continue to solidify our position as a leading K-drama powerhouse through the production of well-made content."