Global IP Powerhouse CJ ENM Unveils Its Robust Slate of K-content for 2023
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.”