Under the Queen's Umbrella

- Named National Winner in 7 AACA Categories, Advancing to Compete for Grand Winners in December

- Earns Multiple Nominations Across Diverse Titles at ATA and VTA

- Proves Global Production Power Across Scripted, Non-Scripted, and Tech-Driven Formats

CJ ENM has once again proved its status as a global IP powerhouse as its content continues to gain international recognition on the world stage.

CJ ENM has secured National Winner honors across seven categories at the Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA). Furthermore, the company earned multiple nominations at both the Asian Television Awards (ATA) and the Venice TV Award (VTA), further underscoring its global creative excellence.

■ 7 AACA National Winner Wins — Competing for the Grand Winner Titles

The recognized titles span a wide range of genres, from hit drama series to unscripted entertainment shows.

TVING Original <The Legend of Kitchen Soldier> earned two titles, winning Best Comedy and Best Original Production by a Streamer. Director Won-woong Lee’s <I Am Boxer>, streaming on Disney+, was named National Winner for Best Direction (Non-Scripted), while TVING Original <Dear X>, directed by Eung-bok Lee, claimed Best Direction (Scripted). Furthermore, <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty>, available to stream on Netflix, won Best Drama Series, <Undercover Chef> secured Best General Entertainment, Game or Quiz Programme, and TVING Original <EXchange 4> took home Best Non-Scripted Entertainment. Among these honored works, <The Legend of Kitchen Soldier>, <Dear X>, and <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty> were produced by Studio Dragon, CJ ENM’s premium drama production studio.

Held annually in Singapore, the AACA recognizes creative achievements from across the Asia-Pacific region through a two-round judging system. Entries from 17 nations and territories are first evaluated to select National Winners representing their respective territories. These National Winners then progress to the International Round, where Grand Winners are determined by an international jury of industry figures, with final results to be announced at the gala awards on December 3.

■ <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty> and <BOYS II PLANET> Nominated for ATA and Venice TV Award

Additionally, a number of CJ ENM productions were shortlisted for major awards across Asia and Europe.

At the ATA, <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty> was nominated for Best Drama Series, while <Dear X> was named a nominee for Best Drama Series (OTT). Founded in 1996, the ATA is an international awards program for Asia-Pacific television, often referred to as the "Emmys of Asia." For its 31st edition, roughly 60 international judges will evaluate entries across approximately 59 categories.

At the VTA, <BOYS II PLANET> earned a nomination in Light Entertainment, <I Am Boxer> in Best of Technology and Innovation, and <SUMBAKKOKJIL> in Cross Platform, demonstrating the company's global capabilities across non-scripted formats and technological-platform innovation.

Launched in 2018, the VTA takes place two weeks after the Venice Film Festival, where an international jury meets in Venice to recognise broadcasters, producers, and streaming platforms from across the globe across 19 categories, including Documentary, Animation, and Comedy.

“This achievement reflects CJ ENM’s strong IP planning and production capabilities, which continue to resonate in the global market across genres and platforms,” said a CJ ENM representative. “Moving forward, we remain committed to delivering unique, high-quality K-content that brings fresh joy and inspiration to audiences worldwide.”

- <A THOUSAND BLOWS>, co-produced by Fifth Season’s UK studio The Story Collective, and <HYPER KNIFE>, co-produced by CJ ENM Studios, nominated in the Drama Series and TV Movie/Mini-Series categories, respectively

- Reaffirms CJ ENM’s global content planning and production capabilities through its domestic and international multi-studio network

Global IP Powerhouse CJ ENM has solidified its unparalleled status as two of its major original productions, developed across its domestic and international multi-studio network, have officially earned nominations at the 54th International Emmy® Awards.

This achievement is regarded as the fruition of CJ ENM's multi-studio network, which has been steadily strengthened to target both domestic and international markets on the global stage.

Nominated in the Drama Series category, <A Thousand Blows> was co-produced by The Story Collective, a label under CJ ENM’s global studio FIFTH SEASON. Set in the gritty underbelly and criminal dens of 1880s East London, the series captured the attention of global audiences by depicting the survival of two Jamaican friends as they plunge into the perilous world of bare-knuckle boxing and strike up a fierce rivalry with a dangerous veteran boxer. Created and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders).

<HYPER KNIFE>, co-produced by CJ ENM STUDIOS, secured a nomination in the TV Movie/Mini-Series category. The medical thriller depicts the fierce confrontation between Se-ok, a once-promising genius doctor, and her mentor Deok-hee, the man who drove her to ruin, as they reunite. Featuring explosive performances by lead actors Park Eun-bin and Sul Kyung-gu alongside a taut, gripping narrative, the series has drawn enthusiastic critical acclaim since its release.

The International Emmy® Awards recognize excellence in television produced outside of the U.S. Amid intense competition among major global platforms this year, works produced by CJ ENM’s domestic and international studios have earned nominations in major categories representing the UK and South Korea, respectively, once again highlighting the company’s competitive edge on the global stage.

Building on its success of hosting an International Emmy® Awards Semi-Final Round of Judging in Seoul for two consecutive years, which cemented its role as a global cultural bridge, this latest milestone demonstrates how CJ ENM's multi-studio network is successfully driving tangible creative achievements across worldwide markets.

“Having our works recognized by the International Emmy® Awards proves that CJ ENM's global studio network is truly delivering meaningful results worldwide,” a CJ ENM official said. “Moving forward, we remain dedicated to creating differentiated IPs that deeply resonate with audiences across the globe.”

The winners will be announced at the 54th International Emmy® Awards Gala in New York City, on Monday, November 23, 2026.

- CJ ENM, KCCUK, and KOCCA join forces to launch ‘Curated Korea 2026,’ bringing four major K-drama showcases to London throughout October

- The month-long cultural initiative highlights contemporary Korean screen, literature, and food, featuring exclusive screenings, creator talks, and networking events

- Expanding the global reach of premium Korean IP, the partnership creates direct touchpoints for local audiences and industry professionals across the UK

Global IP Powerhouse CJ ENM has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) UK Business Centre, strengthening collaboration to support the continued growth and reach of Korean content in the UK.

As part of this partnership, the three organizations will host a series of special K-drama screening and cultural events throughout London during the month of October, collectively titled ‘Curated Korea 2026’. 

Bringing together the combined expertise and networks of all three entities, the initiative aims to introduce Korean content to broader audiences in the UK. Through this collaboration, CJ ENM looks forward to creating more opportunities for its premium Korean content to connect directly with local audiences and industry professionals, while further expanding the footprint of K-content across the region.

Sebastian Kim, Head of Content Distribution Business Unit at CJ ENM, commented, “We are excited to join forces with the Korean Cultural Centre UK and KOCCA through this meaningful partnership. The UK is an important market for Korean content, and we see tremendous value in creating opportunities for our content to meet audiences beyond the screen. We hope this partnership will serve as a platform for deeper engagement with audiences and industry partners in the UK and across Europe, and further broaden the reach of Korean content in the region.”

Rosa Park, Regional Director of the KOCCA UK Business Centre, added, “This agreement is designed to bring together our respective expertise and networks to boost the entry of Korean content into the UK. Through joint initiatives such as K-drama screenings and industry networking programs, we will introduce Korean content to a broader audience in London and actively support the ongoing expansion of exchange and cooperation between the creative industries and cultural sectors of both nations.”

Park Hyo-keon, Director of the KCCUK, stated, “Curated Korea 2026 brings together different forms of Korean culture — from drama and literature to food — and creates opportunities to discover the stories and people behind them. We hope the programme offers new ways to experience contemporary Korean culture, while creating lasting connections between creators, audiences and cultural organisations in Korea and the UK.”

‘Curated Korea 2026’ will showcase different aspects of contemporary Korean culture—spanning screen, literature, and food—through screenings, books, and conversations with creators. The programme will feature four major spotlight events in London throughout October:

The showcase kicks off on Oct. 1st with <The Ordinary Jackpot>, featuring a screening, Q&A session, and networking event at KCCUK. The series follows Gong Eun-tae, an ordinary, burned-out office worker whose life takes an unexpected turn when he wins KRW 1.3 billion in the lottery. While the windfall is life-changing, it is not enough to buy a home in Seoul, prompting Eun-tae to reconsider what true financial security means. Rather than pursuing an entirely new life, he returns to his familiar routine with a renewed perspective, comforted by the knowledge that he finally has a safety net and the freedom to live life on his own terms.

On Oct. 8th, <Study Group> will be screened at Foyles Charing Cross Road, followed by an exclusive talk session with the creator of the original webtoon. The series follows Yun Ga-min (Hwang Min Hyun), a student who dreams of academic success but seems to have been blessed with only one talent: fighting. After enrolling at the notoriously tough Yusung Technical High School—known as one of the worst schools in the country—Ga-min forms a study group in pursuit of his goal of getting into college, kicking off an unexpectedly action-packed journey that puts his determination and fighting skills to the test.

The programme continues on Oct. 9th with a screening of <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty> paired with a networking party at RSA House (The Royal Society of Arts). The series follows Yeon Ji-young (Lim Yoon-a), a perfectionist French chef who unexpectedly finds herself in a royal palace kitchen serving Yeonhuigun (Lee Chae-min), a feared tyrant and uncompromising gourmet.

Wrapping up the series on Oct. 16th, <Dear X> will be screened at The Garden Cinema in London, accompanied by a welcome drinks reception, screening, Q&A session, and networking opportunities. The series follows Baek Ah-jin (Kim You Jung), a woman who hides behind a mask to escape her own pain and rise to the top, leaving behind a trail of “X” figures she has ruthlessly destroyed. Her path to fame intertwines with Yoon Jun-seo (Kim Young Dae), a man who loves her desperately and tries to stop her from descending further into darkness.

Through ‘Curated Korea 2026’, CJ ENM will showcase a diverse slate of Korean scripted content to audiences in London, further solidifying the cultural bridge between South Korea and the UK.