The Global Leadership Pathway takes 50 global employees on a tour of CJ’s facilities in Korea, including the cutting-edge CJ ENM Studio Center
On a bright fall day in Seoul, 43 CJ Group employees from around the world boarded a bus, each wearing a smile and clutching bright green Olive Young bags filled with the latest K-beauty goodies. Anticipation filled the air as the group set off for the CJ ENM Studio Center, one of several stops on CJ’s unique “Global Leadership Pathway” tour program.
Taking place over one week in September, the Global Leadership Pathway program was designed to connect CJ employees from around the world and immerse them in the company’s management philosophy and businesses, including its ONLYONE philosophy, an approach that has been the driving force behind CJ Group’s success since its founding in 1953.
So, what sets CJ Group’s talent programs apart, given its longstanding commitment to “being the first, the best and being different?” Read on to discover how CJ’s commitment to its people builds not only world-class products and services but also strong futures and a sense of community.
Where Creativity Meets Technology: Exploring the CJ ENM Studio Center
The participants’ excitement peaked as the bus pulled into the CJ ENM Studio Center, Korea’s largest and most advanced multi-production facility, with many expressing curiosity and awe at what awaited them inside.
Covering a vast 211,570 square feet, the CJ ENM Studio Center is a technological marvel. It features 13 indoor studios, a virtual production studio, an open filming set in the forest, and a four-lane road for car scenes and special effects.
“I live near Hollywood and have seen many sets before, but as we arrived, I thought, ‘Wow, this is the Hollywood of Korea.’ It’s very impressive,” said Evelyn Jensen from CJ America’s HR department. Her sentiments echoed the group’s enthusiasm as they embarked on the tour.
Divided into smaller groups, the visitors were guided through the facility, witnessing the cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future of Korean cinema and video content first-hand.
The tour’s first stop was the state-of-the-art Virtual Production Stage, featuring a revolutionary tool known as “The Wall.” This 360-degree virtual studio, composed of high-tech Micro LED screens, creates immersive backgrounds for video, movie and drama content. This technology, installed for the first time in the world at this studio, enables crews to create backdrops that transcend both time and space, making overseas locations or challenging shooting environments easily accessible.
During the tour, the participants were treated to a live demonstration of The Wall’s capabilities as the studio transformed its virtual backdrop from a snowy mountain range to the skyline of New York City, and then to a serene snowy forest. Each change elicited gasps of amazement, prompting participants to eagerly snap selfies and photos in front of the stunning scenes.
“The Wall is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it before,” remarked Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao from CGV Vietnam’s HR department. “You can really feel CJ ENM’s commitment to producing high-quality movies.”
Elsa from CJ RHQ Vietnam added, “It was mesmerizing. The Wall looked so simple, yet it transformed into something sophisticated and emotional. Definitely a 5 out of 5 experience.”
As the tour continued, the group was led through various sets and stages. The participants were particularly fascinated by a school set that perfectly mimicked a real-life classroom down to the smallest detail. The floors, walls, school notifications, vending machines, and even the cluttered desks in the teacher’s room made the set feel authentic.
Visitors couldn’t help but tap on the walls to confirm whether they were truly part of a set and not an actual classroom. “I was most impressed by the classroom set,” said Jensen. “It was so detailed and well-thought-out that I really felt like I was back in school.”
The tour left a deep impression on the participants, not only in terms of scale and technology but also in how it spurred their thoughts about their own roles back home.
Aytac Ozcan, an employee of CJ ENM Turkey for 14 years, shared his reflections: “The tour has been incredible. We don’t have a studio like this in Turkey, and I was particularly impressed by The Wall. I hope we can establish a similar facility in Turkey someday, so we can save production costs and time.”
Leading the Way: CJ’s Commitment to Employee Development
For many participants, the visit was not just about observing the future of filmmaking—it was about being part of it. This tour formed a vital part of the Global Leadership Pathway Program, crafted to help employees gain a holistic understanding of CJ’s diverse business operations and inspire them to apply new learnings in their respective countries.
The Global Leadership Pathway Program aims to educate and inspire employees from CJ’s international offices by immersing them in the company’s core management philosophy. Focusing on leadership development, the program equips participants with essential skills and knowledge to advance their careers while deepening their pride in the company.
This year’s program brought together employees from various CJ offices, including CGV Vietnam and CJ Japan. Through classes, orientation sessions and guided tours, participants explored CJ’s vast business portfolio and gained valuable insights. They visited key sites in Seoul and the surrounding provinces, including the N Seoul Tower, the CJ Blossom Campus in Jincheon, Olive Young Myeongdong Town Store, the CJ ENM Studio Center, CGV Yongsan and CJ Logistics’ Global Distribution Center in Incheon.
Reflecting on the experience, Jensen from CJ America said, “I was particularly impressed by the CJ Blossom Campus. The attention to detail and the strength of the CJ brand are remarkable, and I’d love to see this replicated in our U.S. offices.”
Many participants offered similar views, noting how the program gave them invaluable insights into CJ’s operations in Korea, and the chance to reflect on how the company’s presence in their own countries fits into the broader CJ ecosystem.
For Thao, from CGV Vietnam, the tour reinforced the importance of CJ’s role in Vietnam. “CJ Group is very well-established in Vietnam, and it is recognized as a leader in various industries, particularly in the food sector,” Thao said, adding, “CJ Foods has very popular products like bibigo Kimchi, which is localized to suit Vietnamese tastes. This has been a great opportunity to learn more about the group!”
Beyond this, the program had a profound impact on the participants’ sense of belonging and recognition within the company. The program achieved its goal of making employees feel valued, united and part of a larger global family, while providing them with meaningful opportunities for growth.
“I feel more engaged with the company than ever before,” Thao shared. “It was an honor to be selected for this tour program, and I feel recognized for my hard work.”
Jenny, another participant from CJ RHQ Vietnam, expressed her pride in being part of CJ: “The tour was definitely more than what I expected. I feel so proud to be part of CJ, and I’d like to encourage my colleagues back in Vietnam to work hard so they can be selected for this tour one day!”
The Global Leadership Pathway Program not only strengthened participants’ professional skills, but also fostered a deep sense of connection to the company’s mission. As Jensen summed it up, “This tour gives us the chance to see the vast network of work we’re a part of, and I feel even more united with the company.”
Nurturing Excellence: CJ’s Global Talent Programs
In addition to the Global Leadership Pathway Program, CJ offers various Global Talent Programs to foster employee growth, inclusion and global competitiveness. These initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing opportunities for employees to thrive globally. Key programs include the Buddy Program for smooth onboarding of international hires, the CJ&me international rotation program for gaining experience in diverse markets, global workshops that allow talents from different countries to exchange insights and knowledge, and the Global Internship Program aimed at attracting undergraduates and MBA students from prestigious universities around the world.
Jensen from CJ America emphasized the significance of these initiatives, stating, “I’m also proud of the Leadership Discovery Program in the U.S., which allows leaders to share insights with each other.” Her remarks highlight the value of CJ’s global HR programs, which not only offer growth opportunities but also foster unity and a shared vision within the company.
For decades, CJ’s employee-first ethos has guided its business strategy and commitment to nurturing talent within an inclusive work culture. By implementing diverse global talent programs and investing in cutting-edge facilities, CJ empowers its workforce, ensuring employees feel engaged, valued and prepared to lead the company into the future.
As CJ Group continues to expand and innovate, its workforce remains the key to its remarkable success.
