Korean musicals are gaining momentum globally, transforming the industry with their emotional storytelling and technical productions
For the past two decades, CJ ENM has grown its presence in the international performing arts market by co-producing such hits as “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” “Kinky Boots,” “The Bodyguard,” “Big Fish,” “Back to the Future,” “MJ” and “The Little Big Things” on Broadway in the U.S. and the West End in the U.K., the hubs of the global musical theatre industry. The company has shaped the worldwide perception of Korean film and television; now, it’s poised to transform the international stage through the power of Korean art.
CJ ENM’s 20-Year Journey in the Performing Arts
Since launching its performing arts business in 2003, CJ ENM — the only South Korean conglomerate that lead-produces musicals — has steadily developed Korea’s modern musical ecosystem. Over the years, the company has balanced original creations with marquee licensed works, pairing creative ambition with disciplined production and distribution:
- “Finding Mr. Destiny”: A woman hires an agency to track down her first love — known only by name — and in the process, the perfectionist agent assigned to help her ends up falling for her instead. Premiering in 2006, it made history as the first Korean original musical to be licensed simultaneously in China and Japan in 2013, establishing a new precedent for the international expansion of Korean original musicals.
- “Gwanghwamun Love Song”: Premiering in 2017, this musical tells the story of a middle-aged man on the brink of death who is guided by a god-like being through the forgotten memories of his past — including falling in love.
- “Werther”: Based on the 1774 novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” the 2000 musical, still going strong today, depicts the titular character’s tumultuous and ultimately tragic relationships in 18th-century Germany.
In addition to South Korean originals, CJ ENM introduced domestic audiences to a wide range of licensed productions, including Broadway and West End favorites such as “42nd Street,” “Cyrano,” “Beetlejuice” and “Kinky Boots.” This combination of original creativity and licensed expertise helped CJ ENM establish itself as a driving force in the Korean performing arts market, backed by a robust distribution network and a wealth of production experience.
Scaling Musicals on the World Stage
Expanding beyond Korea, CJ ENM has co-produced major titles across Broadway and the West End — converting domestic know-how into global partnerships and wins. As co-producer of the musical “Kinky Boots,” CJ ENM became the first Korean company to win six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as well as three Laurence Olivier Awards. “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” swept the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Drama Desk Awards and Drama League Awards, and went on to win 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical — becoming the first Tony Award-winning Broadway show co-produced by a Korean company.
CJ ENM was also involved in several other notable productions, including “Back to the Future,” which won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical; “MJ,” which won four Tony Awards for Best Actor, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design; “The Bodyguard”; and “Big Fish,” “Maybe Happy Ending,” which CJ ENM successfully produced in Korea, has since went on to enjoy strong reception in the U.S. through its new Broadway production.
CJ ENM’s membership in the Broadway League further underlines its role as a trusted global production partner — deepening access to networks, market intelligence and future collaborations. Together, these credits reflect a producer capable of operating at the highest international standard, from financing and development to creative stewardship and audience growth.
A New Chapter for Korean Musicals
Recently, CJ ENM has set its sights on another ambitious project: an original musical adaptation of its 2012 hit Korean film “Dancing Queen.” The romantic comedy, which originally starred Hwang Jung-min and Uhm Jung-hwa, is being reimagined for the stage with a dream team of top creators from both South Korea and abroad. Slated for a 2027 premiere, “Dancing Queen” could serve as a blueprint for future cross-medium storytelling in the Korean musicals industry.
Boasting around 400 in-house IP spanning film, drama and music, CJ ENM plans to leverage its extensive content library to develop new stage works rooted in proven stories. By leveraging its transmedia expertise, the company aims to create productions that are not only artistically compelling but also scalable across multiple entertainment formats and markets.
The continued successes of CJ ENM’s productions, both at home and abroad, and the upcoming “Dancing Queen” musical signal more than just isolated achievements — they represent the start of the global expansion of Korean musicals. Armed with two decades of production experience, a robust IP portfolio and a proven track record in both domestic and global markets, CJ ENM is setting a new benchmark for what K-content can achieve in the
