Trendsetter,
Gen Z and the Leader of the Entertainment
Scene, CJ ENM
Gen Z’s favorite CJ ENM content
Shining Light on the “Collective Experience”
Enjoyed by Gen Z
Viewers’ PICK
Even Gen Z, who never experienced the financial crisis, are hooked!
No.1 in viewership, <Undercover Miss Hong>
The story of Undercover Miss Hong, set in 1997, in which an elite securities regulator leaves everything behind to go undercover at a securities firm as a low-level employee to uncover the truth, captivated viewers. The portrayal of Miss Hong, who bravely survived those challenging times, drove viewership ratings higher with each episode, making it the highest-rated tvN drama of 2026.
Gen Z, who have not experienced the financial crisis, but live in an era of instability, were also key figures behind this drama's success. The response from Gen Z was significant, as women in their 20s ranked among the top three viewers of TVING's Undercover Miss Hong. Riding on word-of-mouth among Gen Z, the drama ranked in the Top 10 in popularity rankings for eight consecutive weeks, and claimed the No.1 Spot by ranking first in brand reputation in March.
The story was particularly captivating because it was about
overcoming pain, not just reenacting it
Screenwriter Moon Hyun-kyoung set out to tell a story of moving forward, not looking back. By framing the financial crisis as a period of resilience, the narrative resonates with a wide audience, including Gen Z, who know that period secondhand. In a world where effort goes unrewarded, the show offers a positive collective experience of perseverance. This message deeply empowers Gen Z as they face an unpredictable future and take their first steps into society.
Misses of 2026 responded to the stories of
Misses from the 90s
Solidarity among entry-level employees referred to as “Miss” was key to overcoming the era's challenges. They united to uncover the truth and find closure, reclaiming their individual names instead of remaining mere “Misses.”
As the title suggests, Undercover Miss Hong centers on their lives, prioritizing tenacity and warm solidarity over romance or historical backdrop. This resonated with today's “Misses” facing anxiety, earning the highest ratings among women in their 20s of any tvN drama in 2026.
Authentic Reaction
The story of every character reclaiming their name — not just the leads, but even the minor ones — was a real comfort to me. In this drama, everyone fights through their own crisis, big or small. I know I'll come back to this one whenever things get hard.
The roommates of 301
- moving forward, even after the curtain falls
“Our dormitory will cease operations as of February 8, 1998… we wish you health and fortune in every season.” With this iconic setting closing its doors, the 16-episode journey concluded. For a 16-episode run, the series kept Gen Z — typically used to short-form content — fully engaged with characters who found humor in the heaviest moments.
The show's unique farewell also stood out. The members of Room 301 shared their goodbyes and signaled new beginnings through resignation letters: Hong Geum-bo (Hong Jang-mi) for a new mission, Bok-hee to laugh freely, No-ra for personal growth, and Mi-suk for self-improvement. So very Gen Z — and it left the feeling that their story was far from over.
Find out more about Undercover Miss Hong
Social Media PICK
Surpassing 1.2 billion views on social media
Growing up with Gen Z, <SHOW ME THE MONEY 12>
The SHOW ME THE MONEY franchise, which began in 2012, has left moments anyone who's watched it can recite by heart. For Gen Z, the series is a shared childhood experience and the defining voice of Korean hip-hop.
Returning after four years, SHOW ME THE MONEY 12 delivered, surpassing 1.2 billion cumulative views on social media and topping the non-scripted TV and OTT popularity charts. The latest season went global for the first time, opening auditions worldwide, attracting significant attention both domestically and internationally. Notably, one in three new users of Mnet Plus, which hosted global live streams, were males in their teens and twenties.
A legacy series with fresh moves
SHOW ME THE MONEY grew up with digital natives. By generating countless online memes, such as the “Pass Chain” and “Fire Pit,” the show brought hip-hop from the underground to the mainstream. However, as a long-running franchise, it faced the challenge of balancing its legacy with the need for novelty.
SHOW ME THE MONEY 12 found its own answer. While Mnet delivered its iconic, high-quality stages on the original broadcast, the TVING original series, SHOW ME THE MONEY 12: World of Yacha, introduced a fresh perspective by allowing eliminated contestants to compete in new ways. Splitting into two distinct stages boosted TVING subscriptions by 2.4 times this season.
Authentic Reaction
This season was fresh because it gave another chance to eliminated contestants through the World of Yacha spin-off. There were no rules — and it brought out a rawer side of each character. Among them, rapper NOWIMYOUNG really stood out, and that's what got him to the Top 2 in the finals.
Mutually-reinforcing stages with resonance
completed by the narratives built at Mnet
As Mnet has elevated hip-hop into a mainstream genre over the past 15 years—blurring the line between mainstream and underground—SHOW ME THE MONEY 12 presented a stage that tapped into a shared nostalgia for hip-hop while picking up where it left off.
A standout was the final stage featuring HAON and VINXEN, who first gained acclaim with “Barcode” on High School Rapper 2. HAON’s bright, relaxed presence contrasted with VINXEN’s dark, sharp sensibility, creating striking synergy. Eight years later, they reunited on “King’s Gambit,” set on a chessboard evoking black and white. Reflecting their growth through more mature, candid lyrics, the performance was a hit with fans, surpassing 1 million views within a day.
Authentic Reaction
I never thought it would happen, but when I heard, “Byeong-jae (VINXEN), come out,” I was genuinely thrilled. The iconic scene from High School Rapper2 was recreated on HAON's final stage. The stories between them beyond the stage were deeply moving.
From eliminated contestant to winner
- A survival show where everyone has their story
The growth stories of Mnet's hip-hop artists were as remarkable as the results themselves. HAON, who has become a hip-hop icon through High School Rapper2, made his mark with his team's mission song, “TICK TOCK,” which reached No. 3 on the Melon Hot 100 chart. Meanwhile, NOWIMYOUNG, who made a massive jump from World of Yacha to the main stage, and Loyal44 proved their streaming power with the track “KISS KISS KISS,” which topped the charts on both Spotify and Apple Music. Additionally, WOODZ, recognized for his talent on SHOW ME THE MONEY 5 and reborn as a soloist, expressed how it hit different to be back, as he appeared as a featured artist for Raf Sandou's semi-final performance.
These distinctive artists will carry this momentum beyond the screen through the upcoming SHOW ME THE MONEY 12 concert, scheduled for May. The concert, featuring all Top 20 contestants, already has every hip-hop fan excited.
Find out more about SHOW ME THE MONEY 12
Live PICK
#1 in TVING live viewership
A baseball legend rewritten by Gen Z
Every generation has its own legendary sports story. For Gen Z in Korea, that story is baseball. Professional baseball in Korea is bigger than ever, attracting 12 million spectators and maintaining record-breaking popularity.
This year has felt different, with the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) captivating fans ahead of the KBO League's opening day. The excitement hit a new high when the South Korean national team advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years. The decisive match against Australia alone accounted for 83% of TVING's total live unique viewers (UV), breaking TVING's all-time traffic record.
Live for the 1% chance
Feel every thrill on TVING
The 2026 WBC delivered an unmatched dopamine surge to Gen Z. South Korea advanced to the quarterfinals by securing a crucial victory over Australia, meeting the difficult requirement of winning by at least five runs while conceding two or fewer. In a high-stakes environment where the results of other matches determined the national team's fate, TVING’s “WBC Special” was the place to be. It brought all live streams together in one place and offered a multi-view feature for watching multiple games simultaneously. Additionally, short-form highlights were uploaded almost instantly, making it the easiest way to follow the tournament as it happened.
Authentic Reaction
The match with Australia was insane - the odds were almost impossible. Even friends who typically showed no interest in baseball began tuning in, drawn in by the thrill of navigating nail-biting situations and experiencing a surge in dopamine. Even people who hadn't watched a single game could easily catch up on TVING.
Gen Z cheers together, wathces their own way
Despite cheering for the same team, fans all have their own way of watching. TVING serves as a tailored platform for Gen Z baseball enthusiasts who want it their way. The option to choose broadcasts from the three major terrestrial networks allows viewers to engage with commentators and broadcasting styles that feel right for them.
In addition to professional commentary, fans can tune into Fandom Commentary, where fellow fans broadcast the games. A notable lineup, featuring renowned lecturer Lee Ji-young in her broadcasting debut alongside TVXQ's Chang-min and baseball player Yoo Hee-kwan, caught the attention of fans and casual viewers alike. Consequently, Fandom Commentary gained considerable popularity, with 21% of KBO viewers tuning in.
Authentic Reaction
“These people are doing baseball commentary? Really?” The Fandom Commentary lineup drew me first. But soon, I discovered numerous connections with fellow baseball fans, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. Most notably, Lee Ji-young, true to her reputation as a top lecturer, clearly and calmly articulated the game's nuances from the commentary booth, making the games easier to understand.
Watch baseball on TVING, all year round
- the Gen Z sport
The thrilling narrative of the Korean national team’s journey to the WBC quarterfinals has made the 2026 KBO League hotter than ever. Even before the regular season officially kicked off, TVING’s KBO League coverage saw a remarkable 16% increase in unique viewers (UV) and a staggering 130% rise in total viewing time.
To sustain this momentum, TVING is lining up a diverse lineup that extends beyond the KBO League to include the KBO Futures League and international exhibition matches. With sports running all year long, Gen Z has every reason to stay.
If you’re excited for the next baseball lineup to carry on the WBC hype, stay tuned!
PLUS
WANNAONE GO : Back to Base
“A world tour just 10 months after debut.”
“Billboard's top rookie”
Wanna One, the Group
That Rewrote K-POP Survival History
Wanna One is back
Still loud, still fun - just as you'd expect
Premieres on April 28 (Tuesday)
Authentic Reaction
I expected a financial-crisis story to feel suffocating, but this one was different. Its realism weighed on me at times, yet I felt a sense of catharsis as Miss Hong confronted injustice through her own choices rather than succumbing to despair. And every time she clapped back at Deputy Chief Cha, the ultimate dinosaur boss, I felt so satisfied.