CJ ENM Signs MOU with KCCUK and KOCCA to Strengthen K-Content Presence in the UK

- 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.