Something Special, Seoul-based international Format agency announced that they have signed an MOU for a partnership with Korean private broadcaster MBN to represent the broadcaster for international licensing rights of formats, co-production and local production, and development.

MBN, founded in 1993, is one of the top five major general programming channels in South Korea. MBN has a strong reputation for producing high-quality music shows, with music shows airing year-round, including the top-rated music program in Korea currently on air. MBN also airs a variety of reality, talk, and factual programming.

MBN has invested in Format such as Battle in the Box*, a format represented globally by Something Special is aired on MBN. The format has been optioned in 24 territories and commissioned in the UK, will be hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr and broadcast on the Dave channel next month. MBN also imports global Formats, including the Korean version of Mystery Duets two years ago, which originally aired on TF1 in France and has struck global development deals in multiple territories.

Jin Woo Hwang, Something Special’s President & Executive Producer (pictured below) stated: “As Something Special enters its fifth year in business, we are pleased to announce this landmark deal with MBN which will take us into our next company phase by increasing format development, production, and licensing projects. We appreciate the confidence that MBN has shown in Something Special and look forward to a strong collaboration.”

MBN stated: “We are excited to share that we have partnered with the international player, Something Special. Our goal is to showcase the excellence of MBN content in the global market through this collaboration. Our innovative and eye-catching projects have been widely appreciated, and we are thrilled to promote them worldwide.”