Jangho Seo on CJ ENM’s International Ambitions

Jangho Seo, executive VP of CJ ENM’s content business division, talks to World Screen Newsflash about what’s driving the Korean powerhouse’s international traction.

Riding the wave of interest in Korean programming, CJ ENM has been steadily scaling its international operations over the last few years, unveiling a new content business division, led by Seo, at the end of 2024. From compelling dramas and scripted formats to variety, entertainment and more, CJ ENM is exploring gains across all of its output. Seo talks to World Screen about the strategy for the year ahead.

WS: What’s been driving your overall global strategy amid this boom time for Korean content internationally?
SEO: K-content has now firmly established itself as a premium category in the global media landscape. It’s no longer perceived as niche or regional; Korean dramas, films and unscripted formats have become an integral part of the global content market. The recent success of our series and the rising demand for variety formats highlight how Korean storytelling, rich in emotional depth and genre innovation, truly resonates worldwide. Importantly, this momentum is not just driven by traditional Hallyu fandoms. We’re seeing mainstream adoption in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America, where Korean content is increasingly viewed as aspirational and trend-setting. That shift signals a deeper, more sustainable global demand.

The challenge now is sustaining this growth. That means continuously evolving our formats, storytelling and production values to not only meet but exceed global expectations. At CJ ENM, we are committed to that evolution.

One example is our first-ever Global Partners Day, held this summer in Korea, where we welcomed leading executives from across the international media and entertainment sector. The feedback was clear: K-content is shaping the industry’s future, and CJ ENM is seen as a central driver of that change.

Looking ahead, our global strategy is centered on building diverse partnerships with broadcasters, streamers and creative talent worldwide that allow K-content to expand and evolve across every platform. By combining our storytelling expertise with global collaboration, we believe Korean content will continue to inspire, innovate and set new standards for the industry worldwide.

WS: What are the major trends impacting the production of Korean content at present, and how is CJ addressing those challenges?
SEO: While Korean content continues to be loved worldwide, we recognize the pressing challenges in our domestic market. Declining advertising revenue and rising production costs are realities we cannot overlook. To overcome these pressures, we are actively exploring new breakthroughs through global collaboration and partnerships. We are also embracing technology, from AI to advanced production tools, to improve efficiency and raise quality standards.

Above all, we believe that strong IP is the key to sustaining the Korean content wave. That is why CJ ENM is deploying diverse strategies to secure world-class IP that resonates with global audiences. Our commitment is not only to adapt but to lead by setting new benchmarks for storytelling and creativity.

By combining collaboration, innovation and IP-driven strategies, we aim to build a more sustainable future for the industry. We will continue to reach out to diverse partners around the world to find new opportunities and solutions. Because more than ever, we believe that true connection leads to lasting impact.

WS: What factors have contributed to the success of of CJ ENM’s scripted titles?
SEO: The recent wave of Korean drama successes,  especially with Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, Marry My Husband and LTNS, underscores the power of CJ ENM’s commitment to well-crafted and original storytelling. It comes as no surprise that Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born was nominated for best scripted limited series at the 2025 Banff Rockie Awards and won a Gold Award for best drama series at the 2025 ContentAsia Awards. Similarly, Marry My Husband secured the series production category at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards, while LTNS was nominated for best comedy series: non-English-language at the 2025 Banff Rockie Awards. Ultimately, all these successes stem from CJ ENM’s unwavering dedication to originality, cultural authenticity and innovation. We continue to push creative boundaries, ensuring that Korean content not only leads in quality but also deeply connects with audiences worldwide.

WS: What gains have you seen in your non-scripted entertainment segment?
SEO: Mnet’s I-LAND2 was honored at the ContentAsia Awards this year, underscoring our strength in creating innovative survival formats. As a global K-pop girl group debut project, the show followed 24 contestants through rigorous training and missions, culminating in the debut of the next-generation group izna, produced by TEDDY. Its cinematic scale and compelling narrative have been recognized with multiple nominations. Another standout title is Apartment 404, a mystery-themed variety show available on Prime Video. Featuring six cast members, including Jennie of Blackpink, the series revisits bizarre real-life incidents that occurred in apartment buildings across Korea. Blending humor, suspense, and reenactment, the show has redefined the variety format for modern audiences. It has also earned nominations at the Asian Television Awards, Asian Academy Creative Awards and the ContentAsia Awards, highlighting its global acclaim.

CJ ENM has been a pioneer in non-scripted entertainment, with formats that resonate far beyond Korea. CJ ENM’s variety shows have built strong global fandoms, often going viral online and creating big buzz during their broadcast. Their success comes from clear formats, fresh ideas and high-quality production. Our programs feature stylish sets, creative filming and fun storytelling that make them stand out. The energy and charm of our celebrity cast members also play a big role in winning audiences worldwide.

These elements combined are why CJ ENM’s variety programs continue to receive high praise from global fans and the global entertainment industry and awards. They prove that Korean non-scripted content can spark global conversations and set new benchmarks for the genre.

WS: Where are you seeing the biggest demand now: finished programs from Korea, or remakes?
SEO: We are seeing strong demand for both finished Korean programs and local remakes. Initially, global audiences were primarily consuming finished Korean series through streaming platforms, which helped build K-content’s reputation for quality storytelling and emotional depth. Now, as K-dramas have become mainstream globally, the remake business is accelerating. A recent example is the Turkish adaptation of Queen of Tears. The fact that a Korean series can be reinterpreted for a completely different cultural context and still retain its emotional resonance highlights the strength of our IP.

What’s exciting is that we’re no longer looking at one-directional demand. Finished programs continue to perform strongly on global platforms, while remakes are expanding the lifespan and impact of our IP across new markets. One of our latest drama series, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, the time-slip romantic comedy, ranks first in Netflix’s global top ten non-English shows category, again solidifying CJ ENM’s reputation as a global IP powerhouse.” This dual demand shows that K-content has moved beyond being a passing trend—it is now a sustainable, scalable global business model. It also proves once again that Korea’s strength in romantic comedy storytelling, evolving through diverse variations, can resonate universally with audiences worldwide.

WS: What are your goals for CJ’s international business in the next 12 months?
SEO: This year, CJ ENM content has been recognized with strong results at several prestigious awards, which we see as an encouraging sign of how global audiences and the industry value our work. Looking ahead, our goal is to continue delivering high-quality dramas and unscripted formats that entertain and satisfy fans around the world, while also ensuring that these titles are recognized by leading international awards. At the same time, we want to broaden our reach by actively entering new global markets where CJ ENM content has not yet had as much exposure. Expanding into these emerging territories will be key to introducing our stories to even more audiences. Finally, we aim to strengthen our international business by building partnerships with new global players.