CJ ENM participated in the Korea International Streaming Festival (KISF) 2026, sharing its future growth strategies and global expansion vision for K-content.
On June 18, CJ ENM participated in the ‘2026 International Streaming Summit: Streaming Beyond Borders,’ a core program of the KISF held at the Busan Cinema Center’s Haneulyeon Theater. During the summit, the company shared its insights into the global competitiveness of K-content and discussed the future direction of the content industry. The event brought together content creators, platform representatives, and industry experts to explore sustainable growth strategies for K-content within the rapidly evolving global media landscape.
During the special session titled ‘The Global Success Strategy of K-Variety Shows,’ CJ ENM shared insights into how Korean variety shows have transcended local boundaries to become a core driver in the global format industry, while outlining its future path of development. Sehee Jang, Head of Business Development & Global Awards at CJ ENM, moderated the session. The panel featured Sun-young Lee, Chief Producer (CP) of Mnet’s <Couple Palace>; Won-woong Lee, CP of tvN’s <I Am Boxer>; and Professor Jung-hwan Kim of Korea University’s School of Media and Communication
Professor Jung-hwan Kim of Korea University, who attended the panel discussion, highlighted this transformation, stating, “From <I Can See Your Voice> in the past to the recent success of <Couple Palace>, Korea has completely transformed. We are no longer a market that benchmarks overseas formats, but one that actively leads and proposes global format trends.” He further advised, “For K-entertainment to sustain long-term success in the global market, it is vital to deploy comprehensive IP longevity strategies that encompass digital, short-form, and live events. Simultaneously, a highly localized approach—tailored to the specific culture and viewing habits of each target region—must be implemented.”
In particular, through the case studies of <Couple Palace> and <I Am Boxer>—both submitted for consideration in the 2026 International Emmy® Awards—the creators illustrated how domestic concepts evolve into globally viable IPs while sharing behind-the-scenes stories from their development.
<Couple Palace> made history as the first Korean variety show to win the Gold Award in the Light Entertainment category at the 2025 Venice TV Awards, and and has since secured remake option agreements in 10 European countries. Meanwhile, <I Am Boxer> demonstrated the global competitiveness of K-entertainment by reaching audiences worldwide via the global streaming platform Disney+. Immediately upon its release, the show entered Disney+’s Global Top 10 and ranked number one in South Korea, subsequently maintaining its position in the Global Top 10 for five consecutive weeks and garnering significant international attention.
Kris Park, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of CJ ENM’s Mnet Plus, participated as a speaker in the session titled ‘The Rise of Vertical OTT: From K-POP to K-LIFESTYLE,’ where he introduced the growth strategies and future direction of global K-POP content platforms. Park emphasized the shifting dynamics of the market, stating, “The global fandom formed around K-POP is no longer just consuming content; it is rapidly expanding into communities, commerce, and lifestyle sectors.” He further noted, “Fan-centric platforms have now become the most critical pillar for K-content as it expands its stage into the global market.”
Studio Dragon participated in the session titled ‘AI Transforming TV Production : Case Studies and Process Innovation,’ showcasing AI technologies currently utilized on production sites and outlining the future direction of production process innovation. Hyunsuk Seo, Head of the Tech Innovation Team at Studio Dragon, presented this vision, stating, “Throughout the planning and production stages of drama creation, AI technology is actively used to support creators’ capabilities and maximize production efficiency.” He further noted, “Beyond being a simple support tool, AI is a core technology shifting the paradigm of how content is created. Moving forward, we will lead the future content production environment where technology and creativity seamlessly converge.”
A representative from CJ ENM stated, “K-content is entering a new phase of growth, moving beyond the success of individual titles to organically connect content IPs, global K-POP content platforms, and AI technology.” The representative added, “Leveraging our differentiated content competitiveness, robust platform capabilities, and technological innovation, CJ ENM will continuously expand new possibilities for K-content in the global market.”
Meanwhile, KISF is South Korea’s largest streaming platform festival, co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Busan Metropolitan City. The event serves as a premier venue for sharing the latest technologies and global trends in the streaming industry, encompassing OTT series, variety shows, and short-form content.
