The sun’s out in full swing, and so is CJ ENM with an abundance of variety, drama, sports, reality TV and more
As the sweltering heat of July sets in, CJ ENM is here to cool the air with a lineup of refreshing new content.
tvN’s new weekend drama, “Law and the City,” the highly anticipated show reminiscent of the beloved “Hospital Playlist” series, is finally set to premiere. The show follows five uniquely charming junior lawyers who work in the legal district of Seocho every day. Starring Lee Jong-suk, Mun Ka-young, Kang You-seok, Ryu Hye-young and Lim Seong-jae, “Law and the City” is a heartfelt legal office drama set against the backdrop of cold courtroom battles. The series premiered on July 5.
The premium lecture entertainment show “No Way I’m an Adult,” designed for those who suddenly found themselves grown up, is making a profound return to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, “No Way I’m an Adult” has become a leading knowledge-based variety program, delivering insights and wisdom across a wide range of fields, including history, literature, science and the arts. The 10th anniversary special, featuring powerful and inspiring lectures from true adults of our time, premiered July 1.
A new sports variety show is available on TVING. In “KBO LAB,” former professional baseball player and current commentator Lee Dae-hyung will take a sharp, analytical look at player performances and the hidden strategies of team managers.
The show that made headlines last year with its all-women triathlon challenge, “Iron Girls,” is returning for Season 2. The new season will feature Keum Sae-rok, who joins returning members Uie, Park Ju-hyun and Seol In-ah as they take on the challenge of becoming boxing champions. “Iron Girls” Season 2 will premiere July 11.
This summer, the highly anticipated K-pop survival show “BOYS II PLANET” is set to ignite the passion of global K-pop fans when it premieres July 17. Out of the 160 boys chasing their dreams, who will capture the hearts of global fandom and earn a spot in the final debut lineup? As the audition powerhouse behind ZEROBASEONE, Mnet is once again drawing major attention with its new large-scale project.
“Great Escape: The Story” is breaking away from traditional TV and returning on an even larger scale through the streaming platform TVING. Known for its blockbuster-level escape room sets and gripping narratives, “Great Escape” is a suspense adventure series with a devoted core fanbase. Returning for the first time in four years since Season 4 in 2021, “Great Escape: The Story” is set to premiere July 23.
Musical fans can also look forward to “42nd Street,” a show hailed as the pinnacle of musicals. “42nd Street” follows the behind-the-scenes journey of staging a full-scale musical production. Featuring a star-studded cast including Park Karlin, Park Geon-hyung and Jung Young-joo, the production will run from July 10 to September 14 at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul.
The Joys and Struggles of Five Junior Lawyers: “Law and the City”
Starring: Lee Jong-suk, Mun Ka-young, Kang You-seok, Ryu Hye-young and Lim Seong-jae
“Another day, another commute to Seocho.”
Seocho is home to countless lawyers and law firms — a place where thousands of life stories unfold through legal cases every day. What kinds of days do junior associates spend in this bustling legal district? tvN’s new weekend drama, “Law and the City,” offers a heartwarming and witty look into the everyday lives of junior lawyers as they navigate the corporate legal world. The five junior associates, affectionately nicknamed “Team Avengers,” are portrayed by Lee Jong-suk, Mun Ka-young, Kang You-seok, Ryu Hye-young and Lim Seong-jae, each bringing their character to life with unique appeal and personality.
The newly released character teaser highlights peak workplace moments from each charming lead. The gang includes An Joo-hyeong (played by Lee Jong-suk), a ninth-year associate with the motto, “It’s easiest to just do what I’m told”; Kang Hee-ji (Mun Ka-young), bursting with passion; Jo Chang-won (Kang You-seok), a powerhouse extrovert radiating positivity on his morning commute; Bae Mun-jeong (Ryu Hye-young), a habitual latecomer; and Ha Sang-ki (Lim Seong-jae), who flashes his flawless, capitalism-approved smile. These characters present a refreshing twist on the typical lawyer archetype seen in dramas, heightening anticipation for the series.
The script for “Law and the City” was written by an actual practicing lawyer. Drawing from real-life experience, the series promises to deliver an authentic and heartfelt portrayal of life as a junior associate, offering viewers a realistic glimpse into the world of law.
“No Way I’m an Adult” 10th Anniversary Special: For Everyone Who Grew Up Before They Knew It
Starring: Kim Sang-joong
The premium lecture show “No Way I’m an Adult” from tvN STORY, designed for those who grew up before they knew it, returns this year with even more content to mark its 10th anniversary. Since its debut in 2015, “No Way I’m an Adult” has delivered a total of 233 inspiring lectures over the past decade, making topics like history, literature, science and the arts accessible and engaging for viewers. This year’s special edition has raised anticipation even further with the return of the original host, Kim Sang-joong.
The first guest lecturer for the 10th anniversary special of “No Way I’m an Adult” is legendary singer Kim Chang-wan, active for 49 years since his debut. Beloved across generations — from the youth to the elderly — for delivering comfort and healing through his music, the singer’s lecture, which premiered July 1, drew keen interest as viewers absorbed the inspiring message he shared from the podium.
In addition to Kim Chang-wan, a distinguished lineup of speakers will deliver thought-provoking lectures that promise to satisfy viewers’ intellectual curiosity. These include Ko Myung-hwan, a comedian-turned-bestselling author; Lee Ho-seon, a couples counselor; Jim Yong Kim, former president of the World Bank; Kim Myung-joong, personal photographer to Paul McCartney; renowned sociologists Sam Richards and Laurie Mulvey; leading biologist Choe Jae Chun; Judge Jeong Hyun-sook, known for officiating divorce ceremonies; obstetrician-gynecologist Kim Ji-yeon; and cultural anthropology professor Kim Hang.
A New Paradigm in Baseball Commentary: Lee Dae-hyung’s “KBO LAB”
Starring: Lee Dae-hyung and Kang Seong-cheol
Baseball legend Lee Dae-hyung — known by many titles including “KBO’s Base Stealing King,” “Super Sonic” and “the Sharp-Tongued Commentator — is ready to uncover the hidden secrets of the game!
Renowned for his keen insights and refreshingly candid analyses, Lee Dae-hyung is stepping up his game for baseball fans. The TVING original “KBO LAB” goes beyond simple game commentary to dive deep into topics that fans have long been curious about. As host, Lee will draw on his experience as a former pro player to deliver vivid, insightful breakdowns of individual player styles, managers’ hidden strategies and game-changing moments that have often been overlooked.
Lee Dae-hyung’s “KBO LAB” is set to carry on the momentum of South Korea’s baseball fever and is available on TVING.
Four Actresses Take On the Challenge of Becoming the Next Boxing Champions in “Iron Girls” Season 2
Starring: Uie, Park Ju-hyun, Seol In-ah, Keum Sae-rok and Kim Dong-hyun
“With an unbreakable mindset, it’s time to push your limits once again.”
After inspiring viewers last season by overcoming their fear and physical limits to successfully complete a full triathlon, tvN’s the women of “Iron Girls” are returning for Season 2 with an even tougher challenge. Uie, the team’s ace with athletic instincts honed from her competitive swimming background; Park Ju-hyun, who rose from underdog to standout with relentless grit; and Seol In-ah, a natural athlete who quickly mastered any sport, are now joined by the newest member, Keum Sae-rok, affectionately nicknamed “Keum Sae-Rookie.” Together, the four actresses are taking on a grueling new mission: boxing. Their journey begins with just 120 days until the competition — and viewers are already rallying behind them.
The teaser for the second season opens with highlights from last season, showcasing the members’ triumphant triathlon challenge. It then shifts to their new journey — taking on boxing with just four months until the competition — offering a glimpse of their unique chemistry. A standout moment shows Seol In-ah landing a powerful punch on Kim Dong-hyun, raising anticipation for the fierce and entertaining journey that lies ahead.
The gripping story of blood, sweat and tears behind the cast’s quest to become boxing champions in “Iron Girls 2” premieres July 11.
“BOYS II PLANET”: A Global-Scale K-Pop Debut Project
Starring: Lee Seok-hoon, Lim Han-byul, HYOLYN, JUSTHIS, Baek Gu-young, KINKY, Kany, KIM JAE JOONG, XIAO TING and JRICK
Mnet’s “BOYS II PLANET,” a planet-scale K-pop debut project aiming to form a top-tier global boy group, will premiere July 17. As the latest worldwide venture from Mnet, known for its iconic audition programs, the show follows boys from two different starting points — Planet K and Planet C — as they come together on a unified stage called “BOYS II PLANET” and begin their journey toward the “sun,” a metaphor for their official debut. This season features the largest lineup yet, with 160 contestants — 80 for each group — who have gathered from around the world. As these aspiring idols compete for a spot in the next global boy group, K-pop fans everywhere are turning toward this epic story of dreams and destiny.
On June 12, the performance video for “HOLA SOLAR,” the theme song of “BOYS II PLANET,” surpassed 3.5 million views in less than a day after its release. Following the music video, additional content such as contestant intro videos also garnered high viewership. Related keywords quickly rose to the top of real-time search rankings across major social media platforms, proving the intense excitement and enthusiasm from K-pop fans around the world.
Back on a Whole New Scale: “Great Escape: The Story”
Starring: Kang Ho-dong, Kim Dong-hyun, Yoo Byung-jae, Go Kyung-pyo, Baekhyun and Yeo Jin-goo
The beloved tvN variety show “Great Escape” is making its long-awaited return this summer as the TVING original “Great Escape: The Story.” Marking its comeback after four years since Season 4 in 2021, the series moves from television to streaming with a bold new vision. This season introduces new escape crew members, an expanded universe and a richly layered storyline — all on an entirely different scale.
“Great Escape: The Story” takes the original series’ relentless quest for the exit to the next level, offering a richer experience with a wide array of missions and mechanisms set within a vast, interconnected storyline. True to its suspense-adventure genre, viewers can expect unexpected twists, exhilarating moments of triumph and dynamic situations that keep them on the edge of their seats.
With the new season comes a fresh lineup of cast members, drawing more attention from fans. Alongside returning members Kang Ho-dong, Kim Dong-hyun and Yoo Byung-jae, new additions Go Kyung-pyo, Baekhyun and Yeo Jin-goo are set to bring exciting new chemistry to the team — making their dynamic a key highlight to watch out for.
The Essence of Musicals: “42nd Street”
Starring: Park Karlin, Park Geon-hyung, Yang Jun-mo, Jung Young-joo, Choi Hyun-joo, Yoon Gong-joo, Yoo Nak-won, Choi Yoo-jung, Jang Ji-hoo, Ki Se-jung, Jeon Soo-kyung, Baek Joo-hee
The iconic musical “42nd Street,” beloved for over 30 years, is making its return to South Korea. Originally premiering in New York in 1980, the production is set against the backdrop of 1930s Broadway during the Great Depression, portraying the dreams, passion, fierce competition and stories of success behind the world of show business. In Korea, it debuted in 1996 as the country’s first officially licensed musical, playing a key role in popularizing the genre among Korean audiences.
This year’s production features a blend of returning and new talent, with celebrated cast members Yang Jun-mo, Jung Young-joo, Yoo Nak-won and Jeon Soo-kyung reprising their roles, and fresh additions including Park Geon-hyung, Choi Hyun-joo, Yoon Gong-joo and Choi Yoo-jung joining the ensemble. Notably, acclaimed musical director Park Karlin — well known to the public for her work behind the scenes — will take on the role of Broadway’s legendary director Julian Marsh. Her casting has sparked major excitement among fans, raising anticipation for how one of Korea’s top musical directors will reinterpret the iconic character.
“42nd Street” is set to captivate audiences this summer with its dazzling stage, glamorous costumes, lively tap dance routines and upbeat swing music.
