CJ ENM’s popular dating reality series EXchange is expanding its global footprint with local remakes confirmed in Japan and Brazil.
Love Transit, the Japanese remake of <EXchange, is returning with a new season, Love Transit 35+, following the success of its first three seasons. Set to premiere globally on Amazon Prime Video on October 22, the upcoming season will exclusively feature participants aged 35 and older, with former married couples also joining the cast. Tailored to Japan’s shifting social landscapes regarding marriage and lifestyle, the upcoming season features ten adult participants who have navigated major life milestones such as marriage, divorce, family, and career, capturing deeper and more realistic moments of choice.
Meanwhile, EXchange is continuing its global expansion with a confirmed remake in Brazil. The Brazilian version of Love Transit will be directed by renowned Brazilian TV director Boninho, with Amazon MGM Studios and Formata jointly producing the series.
The popularity of K-content in Brazil is also reflected in local market indicators. According to the “Brazil Cultural Trends – July” report published by the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil, K-dramas accounted for 28% of coverage of Korean culture in major local media outlets, ranking second after K-pop, demonstrating continued interest in Korean content. Business exchanges involving K-content are actively expanding. The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) Brazil Business Center hosted the “K-Content Biz Week” in Rio de Janeiro last May, resulting in a total of 195 export consultations and approximately $7.13 million in contract achievements.
First launched as a TVING original series in 2021, EXchange has established itself as one of CJ ENM’s flagship IPs. Notably, EXchange 4 proved an unprecedented audience expansion for a dating reality show, with viewership among male teens surging by 180% and female viewers increasing by 93% compared to the first season. Furthermore, the show has proven its global competitiveness by earning nominations at prestigious international awards ceremonies, including the Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA) and the ContentAsia Awards.
“Love Transit has established itself as a global hit format by effectively incorporating local cultures and sensibilities into the strong emotional resonance of the original EXchange format,” said Sebastian Kim, Head of CJ ENM’s Content Distribution Business Unit. “The launch of Love Transit 35+ in Japan and the confirmed remake in Brazil serve as prime examples of how K-unscripted content is expanding its influence across borders and languages, driving global trends.
Building on its global strategic partnership with Amazon Prime Video, CJ ENM is broadening its consumer touchpoints by expanding its content distribution network into key markets such as India. As of last July, six drama series produced by its local joint venture, True CJ Creations, began streaming on Amazon MX Player. In addition, CJ ENM has signed a strategic partnership with Amazon Prime Video India to supply K-content, with a total of approximately 100 titles, including 26 new releases, slated for sequential release over the next two years. Through these initiatives, CJ ENM aims to continuously strengthen the global competitiveness of K-content by expanding content distribution and format localization in major global markets.
