CJ Group concluded a successful year as its affiliates, including CJ Foods, CJ Logistics, CJ ENM and Olive Young, expanded globally and capitalized on the rising influence of K-culture
In 2025, CJ Group reinforced its position as one of South Korea’s most influential global enterprises, driven by the international expansion and achievements of its major affiliates. Across food, logistics, entertainment and beauty, CJ translated long-term strategy into visible results — expanding networks, scaling performance, unlocking new growth engines and accelerating global demand for K-culture.
This year, CJ’s momentum unfolded across four defining parameters: the expansion of global networks, measurable performance growth, validation of new growth engines and the acceleration of international demand. Together, these achievements marked 2025 as a pivotal year in CJ’s business journey across sectors.
Expanding Networks Globally Across Platforms
In 2025, CJ continued to expand its global footprint through multidimensional investments across manufacturing, distribution, logistics and digital platforms — strengthening its ability to operate as a truly global company.
CJ Foods accelerated its entry into new territories, including Japan, Thailand and the Middle East. The completion of the Chiba plant in Japan marked a major milestone, with enhanced local production capabilities and a strengthened foothold in a competitive region. The Chiba facility enables faster response to local demand while reinforcing bibigo’s long-term market positioning.
In the Middle East, CJ Foods signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) in the UAE, laying the groundwork for the expansion of halal-certified products in major local retail channels and representing a key step toward unlocking the high-potential market. In Southeast Asia, an MOU with CP AXTRA in Thailand supported broader local distribution and sales of bibigo products, deepening CJ Foods’ regional hold.
CJ Logistics also expanded into new territories, creating a strategic partnership with CP AXTRA to develop a cutting-edge logistics IT system and spread advanced logistics operations capabilities and technology throughout the local supply chain, supporting CJ Group’s broader global expansion.
Meanwhile, CJ ENM has focused on platform-driven regional expansion. The company signed a multi-year partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to co-produce original K-dramas and launch a branded TVING hub on HBO Max across 17 Asia-Pacific markets. TVING also partnered with Disney+ to launch the “TVING Collection on Disney+” in Japan, further expanding access to Korean content through major global platforms. In addition, CJ ENM established its first Middle East subsidiary in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a historic step for a Korean entertainment company and laying the groundwork for expanding the reach of K-culture across the wider MENA region.
Expansion of Global Performance and Scale
CJ’s global expansion in 2025 was backed by measurable results, demonstrating real traction across consumer-facing and content-driven businesses.
Olive Young recorded historic highs in offline traffic and purchase volumes. The flagship store Olive Young N Seongsu surpassed 2.5 million cumulative visitors, emerging as the top destination for tourists in the Seongsu neighborhood. Across its network, offline purchases by international customers exceeded 1 trillion KRW, positioning Olive Young as a must-visit base for “inbound exports” — a model that generates revenue by attracting global consumers rather than relying on traditional export channels.
CJ ENM also delivered significant results throughout the year. The global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus surpassed 20 million monthly active users within just three years of launch, with overseas users accounting for approximately 80% of total traffic, underscoring the global demand for interactive fan experiences. Plus, titles like “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” “Our Unwritten Seoul,” “Typhoon Family” and “Dear X,” topped global streaming charts across regions, while the company also earned recognition at major international awards such as the Asian Academy Creative Awards and ContentAsia Awards, further validating its creative competitiveness.
Validation of New Growth Engines and Capabilities
Beyond scale, CJ strengthened the capabilities needed to support sustainable global expansion by validating new growth engines across materials and logistics.
CJ Biomaterials achieved a major breakthrough with the commercialization of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), a biodegradable material developed through proprietary fermentation technology. The successful rollout expanded applications from consumer goods — including cleaning cloths, straws and artificial turf infill — into broader industrial uses, positioning CJ as a leader in sustainable materials innovation.
Meanwhile, CJ Logistics expanded into high-value and specialized logistics segments. The opening of a cold-chain logistics center in Kansas reinforced the company’s leadership in temperature-controlled supply networks, supported by dense infrastructure and advanced technologies. The company also demonstrated its advanced logistics capabilities through the successful transport of fighter jet training simulators to Poland, a project requiring precision, security and innovative logistics solutions. This operation highlighted CJ Logistics’ ability to handle complex, mission-critical cargo beyond conventional commercial logistics.
Acceleration of Global Demand and Ecosystem Growth
In 2025, CJ also focused on expanding the ecosystems that fuel long-term global demand — scaling markets and consumer engagement.
Olive Young successfully hosted Olive Young Festa 2025, which evolved from a beauty festival into a full-scale K-beauty industry convention this year. As the largest platform for brands to share trends and business insights, Olive Young Festa emerged as a gateway for future growth, connecting startups, established brands and global partners within a single ecosystem.
CJ Logistics supported K-brands’ overseas expansion by providing cross-border e-commerce logistics solutions through partnerships with global platforms such as TikTok Shop and Rakuten Ichiba, helping businesses access international consumers with speed and efficiency.
At the consumer level, bibigo appointed the globally recognized K-pop group SEVENTEEN as global brand ambassadors to introduce convenient yet authentic Korean food to more audiences. The partnership helped expand mainstream appeal and accelerate global demand for delicious K-food across generations and regions.
The Future of K-Culture
Building on its numerous global achievements in 2025, CJ is accelerating the international expansion of its core businesses. With strengthened capabilities, growing ecosystems and rising global demand, CJ continues to establish itself as a leading brand representing K-culture and the K-lifestyle worldwide.
