Seoul: CJ ENM, South Korea’s leading media and entertainment company, announced plans on Monday to significantly increase its investment in content production, aiming to release a record number of new series and variety shows this year. This move comes as the competition in the content production industry intensifies.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the company is marking its 30th anniversary in the content creation industry and has unveiled its ambitious 2025 program lineup for the cable channel tvN and the streaming platform Tving. The company hopes to replicate the success of its popular TV series such as “Lovely Runner” and “Queen of Tears,” along with the hit dating reality show “EXchange.”
CJ ENM CEO Yoon Sang-hyun highlighted during a press conference at the company’s headquarters in western Seoul that they have been investing over 1 trillion won annually in content creation. This year, they plan to expand that investment by more than 150 billion won. Yoon emphasized their goal to introduce fresh and innovative shows by exploring new concepts and genres, with the aim of making this year a starting point for global expansion.
During the event, senior executives revealed some of the 65 new dramas and variety shows scheduled for release this year. Notable projects include the webtoon-based “My Dearest Nemesis,” starring Moon Ka-young and Choi Hyun-wook, and “Resident Playbook,” a spin-off of the 2020 hit series “Hospital Playlist.” Also announced is the romantic thriller “Dear X.”
A romantic comedy featuring “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae and “The Glory” antagonist Lim Ji-yeon is also in development. Although its English title has yet to be confirmed, the series’ Korean title translates literally to “Annoying Love.” Additionally, the 2016 hit thriller “Signal” is set to return for a second season, with Kim Hye-soo reprising her role.
Han Jin-won, known for winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Parasite” alongside director Bong Joon-ho, will make his directorial debut with Tving’s original “I Am a Running Mate.”
Last year, CJ ENM made a significant impact on the Korean content industry with another globally successful series, despite competition from global streaming giants like Netflix. Among the most popular dramas were “Lovely Runner” and “Queen of Tears,” with the former being named the best Korean drama of the year by Time magazine and the latter setting a new viewership record for tvN.
In the realm of reality and variety shows, the popular “Fresh Off the Sea” will return for a second season with a new cast, including Lim Ji-yeon and Lee Jae-wook. Renowned American chef Edward Lee, known from Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars,” will star in his own cooking reality show, traveling across the country and preparing dishes with fresh local ingredients. The hit dating show “EXchange” will also return for its fourth season, where ex-couples reflect on their past relationships and explore new love.