The “2026 Visionary” spotlights CJ ENM’s IP characters and character builders driving cultural impact and sustainability across the global entertainment industry
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM announced that it has selected characters and character builders who captivated audiences worldwide with distinctive creative sensibilities as the “2026 Visionary.”
The “2026 Visionary” evaluated CJ ENM IPs across all major sectors in 2025, including television, film, music, and OTT platforms. Following an initial assessment based on commercial performance, platform contribution, and public recognition, 20 members of the CJ ENM Selection Committee conducted in-depth reviews to determine the final recipients, with a focus on IP sustainability and character impact.
This year’s Visionaries include the key characters and character builders behind six standout IPs: “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” “Boys II Planet,” “Severance,” “Marry My Husband” (Korean and Japanese versions), “Our Unwritten Seoul,” and “Study Group.”
One of the biggest K-drama hits of 2025, “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” captivated audiences worldwide, ranking No. 1 on Netflix’s global non-English rankings for two consecutive weeks and remaining in the Top 10 for ten weeks. The characters Yeon Ji-young and Yi Heon, portrayed by Lim Yoon-a and Lee Chae-min, resonated with viewers through heartfelt storytelling centered on sincere cooking and a romance that moved beyond conventional notions of good and evil. Director Jang Tae-yoo was named a “2026 Visionary” for showcasing Korean flavors and sensibilities with universal resonance across cultures.
“Boys II Planet” brought together fans from 223 countries and regions through CJ ENM’s global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus, giving rise to the next generation of K-POP icons. The eight-member group ALPHA DRIVE ONE quickly established itself as a “super rookie,” achieving million-seller status with its debut album and delivering the exhilarating momentum of K-POP to audiences worldwide. Producer Kim Shin-young, who designed and orchestrated this global journey, was named a “2026 Visionary” for weaving the collective choices of millions of fans into a single, compelling narrative.
Produced by CJ ENM’s global studio FIFTH SEASON, “Severance” stands as a premium series distinguished by its original world-building and sophisticated storytelling. The series earned a record 27 nominations at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, the most for a single title, and won eight awards, including Best Actress. Adam Scott’s portrayal of Mark Scout anchored the series’ complex narrative, while producer Nicholas Weinstock drove record-breaking viewership on Apple TV, setting a new benchmark for premium content.
Released in both Korea and Japan, “Marry My Husband” demonstrated the global scalability of K-IP alongside CJ ENM’s refined localization capabilities. Upon release, the Japanese version drew record-breaking viewership over its first month, becoming the most-watched Amazon Original drama in Japan. Takeru Satoh reinterpreted revenge as a forward-looking narrative through Suzuki Wataru, while Park Min-young’s Kang Ji-won set a new benchmark for K-revenge storytelling by claiming agency over her own fate. Producer Son Jay of Studio Dragon was recognized as a “Visionary” for proving the global competitiveness of K-content planning and production beyond conventional remakes.
“Our Unwritten Seoul” was selected by TIME magazine as one of the “10 Best K-Dramas of 2025,” praised as a work in which “the diversity of both the characters and setting, as Mi-ri and Mi-ji move between Seoul and their rural hometown, imbues a universality to these thematic depictions that is as inclusive as it is moving.” Park Bo-young’s dual roles as Mi-ji and Mi-rae stood out as symbols of connection and growth, while writer Lee Kang was named a “2026 Visionary” for creating another defining work marked by resonant dialogue and emotional depth.
TVING Original “Study Group” won best original production by a streamer (Fiction) at the 2025 Asian Academy Creative Awards, underscoring the platform’s competitiveness as a leading global K-culture OTT service. Hwang Min-hyun delivered a breakout performance as Youn Ga-min, a character that felt as though it had stepped straight out of the original work, while director Lee Jang-hoon emerged as a “Visionary” for unlocking the global appeal of K-school action content.
A CJ ENM representative stated, “Throughout 2025, CJ ENM continued to explore new creative frontiers across television, music, platforms, and global content, captivating audiences worldwide with our distinctive characters and stories. As a global IP powerhouse, we will continue to introduce IPs loved by audiences around the world and present a future vision for a sustainable K-content industry.”
Meanwhile, CJ ENM will host “THE VISIONARY AWARDS” Ceremony on February 10 at the CJ ENM Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, with domestic and international award recipients in attendance, continuing its commitment to spotlighting the future of the global entertainment industry.
