CJ ENM introduces its April content lineup from romantic dramas to reality shows
A new month means new entertainment, and now that April has finally arrived, CJ ENM revealed new shows that capture the essence of spring. This month’s lineup has a special variety, ranging from time-slip romances to innovative reality shows that will keep viewers on their toes all month.
In the romance category, Lee Si-eun, a screenwriter famous for her romantic series “True Beauty,” is set to release her latest drama this month. This new show features rising stars Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon in the lead roles.
A new variety show called “Truth or Staged: Elegant Life” will also premiere this month. Starring TV personality Jeon Hyun-moo, singer and actor Kyuhyun and K-pop star Mimi, the three will partake in a groundbreaking entertainment concept never seen before. The show delves into the daily lives of glamorous celebrities, determining what is real and what is fake.
Beyond variety shows, the biggest audition for the first half of 2024 – “I-LAND 2: N/a.” – is set to take place in April, with the collaboration between Mnet and THEBLACKLABEL, two of K-pop’s biggest players.
Excitement Guaranteed: Lee Si-eun Latest Work “Lovely Runner”
Cast: Byun Woo-seok, Kim Hye-yoon / Directed and written by: Yoon Jong-ho, Kim Tae-yeop, Lee Si-eun
Featuring heartwarming visuals, up-and-coming stars Byun Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon have teamed up to deliver a stellar performance. “Lovely Runner,” is a story that unfolds when Lim Sol (Kim Hye-yoon) loses her will to live, only to find renewed hope from the renowned artist Ryu Seon-jae (Byun Woo-seok), whose sunny optimism inspires her to live once more. However, tragedy strikes when he unexpectedly passes away. Devastated by his death, Lim Sol finds herself traveling back in time to 2008.
“Nineteen again, back to life. The goal: Protecting Ryu Seon-jae!”
“Please don’t fall in love with me.”
“But how can I not?”
In the unveiled teaser, Lim Sol is seen becoming giddy and excited while watching a video of Ryu Seon-jae. Despite the teaser only being 30-seconds long, fans are waiting for the show with anticipation due to Kim Hye-yoon’s awe-inspiring method acting.
A Never-Before-Seen Genre! “Truth or Staged: Elegant Life”
Cast: Jeon Hyun-moo, Kyuhyun, Mimi / Directed by: Kwon Dae-hyun
Are the supposedly glamorous lives of celebrities truly as special as they seem?
This show merges two compelling genres: observational entertainment and mystery. Featuring Korea’s top entertainment announcer, Jeon Hyun-moo, all-around entertainer SUPER JUNIOR’s Kyuhyun, and OH MY GIRL’s Mimi, who gained fame as the next-generation entertainment idol on “Earth Arcade,” fans are intrigued by this fresh take on entertainment and are curious to see the behind-the-scenes lives of their favorite celebrities.
Enjoy the mix of suspense and relaxation while watching “Truth or Staged: Elegant Life,” directed by producer Kwon Dae-hyun.
The Biggest Competition in 2024! A Tectonic Shift in K-POP: “I-LAND 2: N/a”
Cast: Song Kang / Producer: Lee Chang-gyu
The biggest players in the K-pop scene are coming together. “I-LAND 2: N/a” will create the birth of an iconic girl group through a collaboration between Mnet, Korea’s iconic music channel, and THEBLACKLABEL, a renowned Korean record label. The show will feature contestants competing to achieve a new self – or a new “I” – while the N/a stands for the unpredictable diversity of “N” and the infinite possibilities of “a”. The idea of the name is that when contestants surpass their limits, they can break through fear and discover their true self.
Veterans of music programs have joined forces for the birth of a global girl group that will shake up the world. The production is led by Producer Lee Chang-gyu, who directed “I Can See Your Voice Season 4” and “The Call 2,” and Co-Producer Park Chan-wook, who produced “MAMA AWARDS,” “Road to Kingdom,” “KINGDOM: LEGENDARY WAR” and “QUEENDOM 2.”
With star-studded directors including BIGBANG’s TAEYANG, choreographer Monika, dancer Leejung, composer VVN and producer 24, the show is already highly anticipated by K-pop fans around the world.
The teaser video revealed the massive 105,789 square feet I-LAND complex studio, which was constructed with a budget of over 20 billion won (14.7 million USD) over three years. Thanks to the studio’s huge scale and unique design, anticipation continues to grow.
Since its commencement in September 2021, the “I-LAND 2: N/a” audition cycle received over 140,000 applicants, setting a record for the highest competition rate in idol audition history.To increase anticipation, individual profile videos and group performance videos of the 24 selected “I-LAND 2: N/a” applicants were uploaded on the Mnet K-POP YouTube channel.
