Leading entertainment company CJ ENM hosted the Semi-Final Round of Judging for the 2025 International Emmy® Awards in Seoul on July 17. This globally recognized event underscores the growing influence of Korean culture in the global media landscape, as well as CJ ENM’s pivotal role in driving the international success of K-content. CJ ENM continues to strengthen its presence on the world stage through initiatives that bring global industry leaders to Seoul.
The judging sessions took place at CGV Cine de Chef in Yongsan, Seoul and brought together distinguished experts from top global media companies, including Amazon Prime Video, CJ ENM, iQIYI, Rakuten Viki, The Walt Disney Company, U-NEXT, VIDIO, Viu, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Youku (listed in alphabetical order). Jurors evaluated entries in the ‘Telenovela’ category.
Regarded as one of the most prestigious international television awards, the International Emmy® Awards honors best programs produced outside of the United States. The Semi-Final Judging is a key stage in the International Emmy® Awards competition, where jury panels review and score shortlisted entries from around the world across various categories. Following these rounds, the final nominees will be announced in September, leading up to the main International Emmy® Awards on November 24 in New York.
As a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, CJ ENM hosted the semi-final judging round with Jangho Seo, Executive VP of the Content Business Division at CJ ENM, serving as the official host. Only members of the Academy are eligible to host semi-final events.
“Bringing the International Emmy® Semi-Final judging to Seoul reflects the growing significance of K-content in the global media landscape, and we’re proud to contribute to this important process,” stated Seo. “CJ ENM began its cultural business 30 years ago with a vision to become a global content powerhouse. We will continue to elevate the value of Korean culture through a systematic production, exceptional IP planning, and boundary-pushing storytelling.”
In conjunction with the Semi-Final selection, CJ ENM hosted a special ‘Global Partners Day’ on July 16 with a formal dinner reception for invited guests from global media and tech companies—many of whom were also participated as jurors. CJ ENM CEO Yoon Sang-hyun and Pious Jung, CEO of CJ America and President of Content, Global Business for CJ ENM were also in attendance.
The day also featured a visit to CJ ENM’s Studio Center in Paju, where guests toured the company’s cutting-edge Virtual Production Stage (VP Stage), a key part of its next-generation content creation. In follow-up sessions, top producers from Mnet, CJ ENM’s music channel, and Studio Dragon, Korea’s leading scripted TV studio and a subsidiary of CJ ENM, offered insights into the evolving landscape of Korean production and the global breakthrough of Korean drama, variety, and music shows. Among the speakers were Sang Hyuk Park, EVP of Media & Platform Business Division, Jee In Chung, Director of <Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born>, Jay Sohn, Chief Producer of < Marry My Husband>, and Shin Hye Yoon, Head of Mnet who led behind <MAMA AWARDS> and <I-LAND>. Yun Kyung Lee, Director of Content Research Bureau from Korea Culture & Tourism Institute and Youngah Lee, CSO from CJ OLIVE YOUNG also joined to discuss K-beauty and South Korean popular culture.
The Semi-Final Round is often hosted by a major entertainment company that represents its country on the global stage. CJ ENM’s role in organizing this year’s event highlights its leadership in international content and its long-standing commitment to expanding the reach of high-quality storytelling.
