CJ ENM Further Reinforces Its Position as a Global IP Powerhouse
At a Glance
- CJ ENM Acts as a Global Cultural Bridge by Hosting a Semi-Final Round of Judging for the 2026 International Emmy® Awards in Seoul for the Second Consecutive Year
- Industry Leaders Complete Judging for the Drama Series Category
- ‘Global Partners Day’ Unveils Insights Across the Entire IP Value Chain
CJ ENM successfully hosted a Semi-Final Round of Judging for the 2026 International Emmy® Awards in the Drama Series category on July 23, 2026, in Seoul, South Korea. By hosting this prestigious global judging event for two straight years, CJ ENM has further reinforced its status as a global IP powerhouse. This ongoing commitment aligns with the company’s broader mission to expand the reach of K-content, actively serving as a cultural bridge that connects Korean culture with the global entertainment industry.
■ Overview: 2026 International Emmy® Awards Semi-Final Judging
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | 2026 International Emmy® Awards Semi-Final Round of Judging |
| Date & Location | July 23, 2026 / CGV CINĒ de CHEF Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea |
| Category Judged | Drama Series |
| Participating Global Jury | Executive jurors from CJ ENM, Warner Bros. Discovery, The Walt Disney Company Japan, Rakuten Viki, U-Next, Nippon TV, Viu TV, Far EasTone, KNOCKONWOOD Inc., Media Prima, and more |
| Upcoming Schedule | – Final Nominations Announcement: September 2026 – Awards Ceremony: November 23, 2026 (New York City) |
“For over three decades, CJ ENM has driven the global expansion of K-content with pride and a vision for Korean culture, building K-culture into a sustainable global industry,” said Jangho Seo, EVP of Platform Business Division at CJ ENM. “It is deeply meaningful to fulfill our role as a global cultural bridge by hosting an International Emmy® Awards Semi-Final Round of Judging once again. Moving forward, we remain dedicated to ensuring K-content continues to resonate globally through an integrated value chain spanning planning, production, distribution and platforms.”
■ Key Highlights: ‘CJ ENM Partners Day’
Ahead of the Judging, CJ ENM hosted “CJ ENM Partners Day” on July 22, 2026, to foster content and cultural exchange while strengthening collaborative ties with its global partners. Attended by Sang-hyun Yoon, CEO of CJ ENM, members of the jury, and over 130 prominent global entertainment executives, the event featured five dynamic sessions spanning media market outlooks and the entire IP value chain:
| Session | Topic / Theme | Key Speakers | Content Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keynote | Where Will the Next Wave of Growth Come From? | Paul Erickson (Principal Analyst of Media & Entertainment, U.S./Omdia) | Shared market forecasts shaping the global media landscape. |
| Creators Talk | The Power of K-Story: Born Local, Loved Global | Directors of CJ ENM | • Tae-you Chang (“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” – highly anticipated 2025 release blending Korean cuisine and history) • Shin-woo Park (“Our Unwritten Seoul” – named one of TIME’s Top 10 K-dramas of 2025) • Jang-hun Lee (currently producing Season 2 of “Study Group”) |
| Panel Discussion 1 (Planning) | IP Business Division Group Talk: How to Discover, Create and Expand IP | • Hye Young Lee (CP, Studio Dragon) • Hojun Kim (CP, CJ ENM Studios) • Sunhong Min & Hyejung Jang (Content Agent Team, CJ ENM) | Introduced upcoming line-ups and transmedia strategies (e.g., “Spooky in Love”). |
| Panel Discussion 2 (Production) | Korea–Japan Drama Co-Productions and Global Platform Partnerships | • Sang-hwa Lee (CP, CJ ENM), • Kenji Ikeda (Senior Associate, Nippon TV), • Gaku Narita (Head of Japan Contents, The Walt Disney Company) | Spotlighted “Merry Berry Love,” highlighting global co-production and distribution strategies for the Korea-Japan series. |
| Panel Discussion 3 (Distribution) | Next K-Content Wave, Europe(CEE) with Deutsche Telekom | • Sebastian Kim (Head of Content Business Unit, CJ ENM) • Dillon Seo (Country Manager, Deutsche Telekom) | Presented strategies for partnerships in emerging markets and global expansion of K-content. |
■ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the significance of CJ ENM hosting the International Emmy® Awards Semi-Final Judging?
A. Hosting the Semi-Final Round of Judging in Seoul for two straight years underscores CJ ENM’s influential position as a global media leader. It aligns with the company’s mission to expand the global reach of K-content and actively serve as a cultural bridge connecting Korean culture with the international entertainment industry.
Q. Which global entertainment companies participated in the 2026 jury panel?
A. The jury featured key executives from leading global entertainment companies, including CJ ENM, Warner Bros. Discovery, The Walt Disney Company Japan, Rakuten Viki, U-Next, Nippon TV, Viu TV, Far EasTone, KNOCKONWOOD Inc. and Media Prima.
Q. What were the key highlights of “CJ ENM Partners Day”?
A. Held on July 22, 2026, with over 130 global entertainment executives, the event featured market forecasts by Omdia, behind-the-scenes insights from top K-drama directors (Tae-you Chang, Shin-woo Park, Jang-hun Lee) and panel discussions on transmedia strategies, Korea-Japan co-productions (“Merry Berry Love”) and emerging market partnerships with Deutsche Telekom.
Q. What is the upcoming schedule for the 2026 International Emmy® Awards?
A. Following the comprehensive assessment of submissions across the globe, official nominations will be announced in September 2026. The 2026 International Emmy® Awards Ceremony will be held in New York City on November 23, 2026.
■ Official Links & Resources
- CJ ENM Official Website: https://www.cjenm.com/en/
- International Emmy® Awards Official Website: https://www.iemmys.tv/
[About CJ ENM]
CJ ENM is a leading entertainment company founded in Korea in 1995. CJ ENM’s entertainment division has been continuously shaping the next chapter of K-culture within the global entertainment industry, spanning media content, music, film and performing arts. CJ ENM has created, produced and distributed globally acclaimed content, including Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” Tony Award-winning musicals such as “Kinky Boots,” hit TV series such as “Queen of Tears,” globally successful music competition show “I Can See Your Voice” and more. CJ ENM is further pursuing opportunities to develop talent such as leading K-pop boy group ZEROBASEONE and global rookie sensation ALPHA DRIVE ONE. United under the slogan “We live to discover Untold Originals,” CJ ENM has three major production and distribution studios: a drama production powerhouse Studio Dragon, U.S.-based studio Fifth Season and K-OTT content production studio CJ ENM STUDIOS. It also operates No. 1 K-content platform TVING and global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus. CJ ENM also presents KCON, world’s No. 1 K-Lifestyle Festival, and MAMA AWARDS, world’s No. 1 K-POP Awards, in order to bring K-culture experiences to people all over the world. To learn more about CJ ENM, please visit: http://www.cjenm.com.
