Under the Queen's Umbrella

Leading entertainment company CJ ENM unveiled its content lineup for this year, encompassing scripted and unscripted content to be featured across various platforms. CJ ENM originals will be available on CJ ENM owned No.1 K-content channel tvN, Korea’s leading music channel Mnet and CJ ENM-launched online streaming platform TVING for Korean audiences. Select originals are also expected to meet audiences across the globe through various global platforms.

The content portfolio will match the diverse tastes of the global audience as it comprises highly anticipated series already garnering worldwide attention, the return of fan-favorite programs, webtoon stories based series and signature music shows.

#Highly anticipated series include:

<Our Blooming Youth> 

Produced by Studio Dragon, Story & Pictures Media

Premiere: February 3 (KST)

The story depicts a genius girl suspected of a family murder and a prince under mysterious curse. The periodic drama stars Park Hyung-shik and Jeon So-nee as leads. 

<Pandora: Beneath the Paradise>

Produced by Studio Dragon, Chorokbaem Media

Premiere: March 11 (KST)

“Pandora: Beneath the Paradise” follows the revenge story of a woman who is living the dream life, but as she recollects her lost memories, finds out about a mysterious force that manipulated her fate. It features an ensemble cast of E Ji-ah, Lee Sang-yun, Jang Hee-jin, Park Ki-woong and Bong Tae-gyu.

<Queen of Tears (Working title)>

Produced by Studio Dragon, CultureDepot, Showrunus

Premiere: 2H

A married couple, portrayed by Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, navigate hardships through which they deliver a magical story of love. 

<Cold Blooded Intern> 

Produced by CJ ENM, RaemongRaein

Premiere: TBD

A TVING original, it tells the comic and heart-touching narrative of an intern in her forties who has returned to work after seven years. The cast features hitmakers Ra Mi-ran and Uhm Ji-won.

#New Seasons and Spin Offs of Widely Loved Programs:

<Jinny’s Kitchen>

Produced by Egg is Coming (under CJ ENM STUDIOS)

Premiere: February 24 (KST)

A “Youn’s Kitchen” spinoff, the show follows Lee Seo-jin who has now become the owner of a Korean street food restaurant in Mexico. The kitchen is staffed with actors Jung Yu-mi, Park Seo-jun, Choi Woo-sik and V of BTS.

<Island part 2>

Produced by Studio Dragon, Ylab Plex, Gilstory Ent

Premiere: February 24 (KST)

Set in a beautiful island filled with evil darkness, an unlikable trio get entangled in a series of strange and mysterious events, fighting unknown demons. Premiering simultaneously on both TVING and Amazon Prime Video, the fantasy action series ranked No.1 in five Asian regions and No.10 globally for the latter.

<Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramoon>

Produced by Studio Dragon, KPJ

Premiere: TBD

The fantasy drama “Arthdal Chronicles” returns for a second season, picking up the story after 8 years since Tagon (Jang Dong-gun) took the throne. The cast will add Lee Joon-gi and Shin Sae-kyeong.  

<The Uncanny Counter 2>

Produced by Studio Dragon, Betty & Creators

Premiere: TBD

Following the success of the first season, “The Uncanny Counter 2” comes back with more exciting action against evil spirits with Jin Sun-kyu, Kang Ki-young, Kim Hieora and Yoo In-soo newly on board, along with the original cast members. 

<Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938>

Produced by Studio Dragon, House Pictures

Premiere: TBD

A follow-up of the 2020 “Tale of the Nine Tailed,” the fantasy action prequel will be following a nine tailed character dropped in turbulent times. The original cast Lee Dong-wook and Kim Beom will return, with Kim So-yeon and Ryu Kyung-soo added to the list. 

<Earth Arcade 2>

Produced by Egg is Coming (under CJ ENM STUDIOS)

Premiere: TBD

The hit entertainment show featured the all-women cast Lee Young-ji, YUJIN of IVE, MIMI of OH MY GIRL and Lee Eun-ji. The show will return for a second season, promising greater fun and exciting games. 

#Webtoon-based series include:

<The Heavenly Idol>

Produced by Studio Dragon, Pitapat Studio, Hi Ground

Premiere: February 15 (KST)

A fantasy romance, Pontifex Lembrary gets transferred into a different world, possessing the body of Woo Yeon-woo who is a member of an unpopular idol group. 

<See You in My 19th Life>

Produced by Studio Dragon, StudioN, Studio FineCut

Premiere: TBD

A romance comedy starring Shin Hae-sun and Ahn Bo-hyun, the story is about a girl who remembers her past lives and is now living her 19th one, this time looking for her destined man.

<A bloody lucky day (Working Title)>

Produced by Studio Dragon, The Great Show, StudioN

Premiere: TBD

Featuring Lee Sung-min, Yoo Yeon-seok and Lee Jung-eun, the TVING original series depicts a psychopath and a taxi driver involved in murder cases. 

<Duty After School>

Produced by Studio Dragon, GTist

Premiere: TBD

A TVING Original, highschool senior students fight against unknown creatures during a straining exam period.

#Global music entertainment shows

<BOYS PLANET>

Produced by CJ ENM

Premiere: February 2 (KST)

The latest audition program “BOYS PLANET” aired this February, where contestants from all over the world are competing to be part of the global fanmade boy group voted by fans. Around 229 labels from 84 regions submitted applications, with the high global interest attesting to CJ ENM’s track record of discovering global K-POP stars.

Mnet will also feature the return of signature music series such as Queendom, Street Dance  and “I Can See Your Voice 10” as well as launch fresh content including a new hip-hop series and “Mnet PRIME SHOW.” 

Leading entertainment company CJ ENM announced the “2023 Visionary,” awarded to those recognized as visionaries in the entertainment industry, leading trends and spearheading innovations.

Since 2020, CJ ENM has been honoring the figures who propose a new vision in the entertainment industry with their originality as “visionaries”. Starting with “2023 Visionary,” the ceremony will be held at the beginning of the year to better build up its purpose of shedding light on the future of the entertainment industry and inspiring individuals.

The honorees of “2023 Visionary” were selected based on data analysis, panel of specialists, and global indicators. The five selection criteria are △Only One achievement that established a substantial presence with unprecedented achievements in the Korean entertainment industry, △unlimited influence and impact that stretches across various industries even outside of entertainment, △shape-shifters creating new values that breaks down stereotypes, △unique creativity coining new genres and characters, △global influence that goes beyond regional boundaries

The evaluation process involved 60 specialists from CJ ENM with professional insight in content production and business as well as data-based analysis for objectivity. CJ ENM also partnered with Endeavor Analytics, Endeavor’s research and insights division, to identify and assess the candidates. Endeavor Analytics developed and implemented a proprietary methodology, utilizing a wide array of global data resources, such as celebrity tracking services and social media measurements. Endeavor Analytics’ association with Endeavor’s talent representation business, WME, further strengthens the evaluation’s credibility.

The ten honorees of “2023 Visionary” are as follows (in alphabetical order):

(G)I-DLE, Chung Seo Kyung, Don Lee, IU, Kim Hye Soo, Lee Jin Ju, Lee Jung Jae, Nah Yung Suk, Park Chan Wook, and Park Eun Bin.

Actress Kim Hye Soo and director Park Chan Wook are figures who inspire the entertainment industry with their exceptional abilities. Over the past year, Kim Hye Soo overturned conventions with her distinct character portrayals in the Netflix series <Juvenile Justice>, the tvN series <Under the Queen’s Umbrella>, and more. World-renowned film director Park Chan Wook swept the award ceremonies with his Cannes award-winning film <Decision To Leave>, continuing his legacy of incomparable artistry and mise-en-scene.

IU, Lee Jung Jae, and writer Chung Seo Kyung have attained remarkable feats that crossed the borders of different fields. A global figure, Lee Jung Jae was acclaimed this year for his directorial debut with the film <Hunt>. Carrying a successful career as a singer, IU was also praised by international media for her acting performance in <Broker>. Top screenwriter Chung Seo Kyung brought the tvN series <Little Women> to success with her meticulous development of characters and spirit of the age.

Producer Nah Yung Suk, Don Lee, and Park Eun Bin have coined new genres and characters with their originality. Producer Nah Yung Suk consistently sets new grounds for variety shows such as the female cast game show <Earth Arcade> and the upcoming spin-off of <Youn’s Kitchen>, scheduled to premiere in 2023. Actor Don Lee turns his characters into genres of their own – following the success of his film <The Roundup>, he is currently in preparation for global projects including the revival of <The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil>, with Sylvester Stallone as co-producer. Actress Park Eun Bin has drawn global attention by embodying her stereotype-defying character in the TV series <Extraordinary Attorney Woo>, through which she reaffirmed the true value of acting.

(G)I-DLE and producer Lee Jin Ju brought new possibilities, ascending as up-and-comers that the industry should keep their eyes on. Girl group (G)I-DLE presented a new outlook for K-pop artists as they expressed their unique concept and creativity by taking part in the songwriting process. Producer Lee Jin Ju created the mega-hit TVING original series <EXchange> that stood out for its distinctive production amidst the flood of dating reality shows, turning the viewers into wholeheartedly immersed fans.

A CJ ENM representative remarked, “As the value and impact of Korean entertainment continue to grow across the globe, tracing the footsteps of the ‘visionaries’ sheds light on the endless possibilities and vision of what comes next.” He added, “Just as ‘Visionaries’ find their originality through adventures and innovations, CJ ENM will continue to pave new ways and produce widely loved IP.”

Meanwhile, CJ ENM will host the ‘Visionary Awards’ ceremony in January to present the awards and spotlight the future of the entertainment industry.

Past Visionary Honorees

*In alphabetical order

2021

• aespa (music group)

• BTS (music group)

• Choi Jung-nam (producer)

• Hwang Dong-hyuk (director)

• Youn Yuh-jung (actress)

• Yu Jae-seok (TV personality)

2020

• BLACKPINK (music group)

• Bong Joon-ho (director)

• BTS (music group)

• Kim Eun-hee (writer)

• Kim Tae-ho (producer)

• Park Ji-eun (writer)

• Rain (musician and actor)

• Shin Won-ho (producer)

• Song Kang-ho (actor)

• Yu Jae-seok (TV personality)