Love In Disguise

- The psychological thriller will screen in HIFF’s Spotlight on Korea section on November 1 and 4, following sold-out screenings in Toronto and Busan

Paradise Lost, the psychological thriller from Train to Busan director Sang-ho Yeon, has sold to 118 countries worldwide and will make its U.S. premiere at the 46th Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF). Selected for the festival’s Spotlight on Korea section, the film will screen on November 1 and 4, continuing its international festival run following sold-out screenings in Toronto and Busan.

Starring Hyun-joo Kim and Hyeon-seong Bae, Paradise Lost follows So-young Ryu, a mother whose son disappeared nine years earlier when a bus carrying children to a camp mysteriously vanished. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her son, Sun-woo Ryu, long presumed dead, returns alive.

The film’s selection at HIFF brings it to a festival that showcases films from around the world, with a particular focus on Asia and the Pacific, and promotes cross-cultural understanding through cinema. This year’s edition runs from October 21 through November 15 across the Hawaiian Islands.

Paradise Lost previously screened in the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, where all four official screenings sold out, totaling approximately 2,300 seats. It went on to screen in the Gala Presentation section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, where all four screenings also sold out.

Alongside its festival run, Paradise Lost has sold to 118 countries worldwide. According to CJ ENM, international sales revenue alone has exceeded the film’s net production budget.

CJ ENM attributed the sales performance to international buyers’ confidence in Yeon’s filmmaking, the film’s distinctive story and the company’s global sales capabilities. Drawing on its extensive experience in international sales and distribution of Korean films, CJ ENM has built a global network that connects Korean stories with markets and audiences worldwide.

“The film combines a distinctive premise with a deeply felt exploration of family and motherhood,” said a representative of CJ ENM’s international distribution team. “These universal emotions are resonating across cultures and generating strong interest in international markets.”

Kim, who has collaborated with Yeon on multiple projects, stars as So-young, a mother confronted with the return of a son she believed she had lost. Bae takes on his first leading role in a feature film as Sun-woo, whose return brings an unfamiliar presence into his mother’s life. Their performances anchor the film’s complex mother-son relationship.

Presented by WOWPOINT and CJ ENM and produced by WOWPOINT, Paradise Lost opens in South Korean theaters on October 21, 2026, with distribution handled by CJ ENM.

International theatrical releases are scheduled for Taiwan on October 23 and Singapore on November 5, followed by North America and Vietnam on November 6 and Indonesia on November 13. WELL GO USA is handling North American distribution.

- Partnership to launch a dedicated TVING hub on MBC SHAHID and bring premium Korean content across MBC platforms announced at MIPCOM CANNES 2026

CJ ENM and MBC GROUP have signed a long-term strategic partnership aimed at expanding premium Korean entertainment across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), bringing together two leading media and entertainment groups with complementary reach across the region and Asia.

The announcement was made today at MIPCOM CANNES 2026, the 42nd International Co-Production and Entertainment Content Market.

The partnership builds on the existing relationship between CJ ENM and MBC GROUP and expands the collaboration across streaming and linear television, while creating further opportunities for long-term cooperation between the two groups.

At the center of the partnership is the launch of a dedicated TVING space on MBC SHAHID. The branded space will provide audiences across MENA with a curated destination for premium K-content from CJ ENM, TVING and leading South Korean production studios.

Audiences will gain access to a broad selection of Korean content, including TVING original productions. More than 13 new titles are scheduled for release during 2026, alongside more than 20 titles from CJ ENM’s existing content library, with the volume of available titles set to increase over the course of the partnership.

The lineup will include the recently premiered romantic comedy “My Bias, My Boss”, as well as titles including “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier”, “Filing for Love”, “The Judge Returns” and “Our Universe”. Arabic dubbing and subtitles will be available for selected content, while all new titles will be available for a simulcast on the MBC SHAHID app, allowing audiences across MENA to watch the latest Korean series alongside their release in Korea.

The agreement also extends the reach of K-content across MBC’s linear television channels. As part of the partnership, CJ ENM titles will also be introduced on MBC4 exclusively, for a specific period, with schedule to be announced in due course. This will further expand the reach of Korean content across MBC’s broadcast and streaming ecosystem. The partnership also lays the foundation for broader long-term collaboration between the two groups across media, entertainment and production.

Sebastian Kim, Vice President and Head of Content Distribution Business Unit of CJ ENM, said: “Expanding our collaboration this year to launch a dedicated TVING branded space, following our content supply agreement last year, is a meaningful achievement that once again underscores the competitiveness and growth potential of Korean content in the Middle East. Through the dedicated TVING brand hub on MBC SHAHID, we are making it easier and more convenient for viewers across the Middle East to access and enjoy premium K-content.”

Tareq Alibrahim, Director of MBC1, MBC DRAMA, and MBC SHAHID Content said: “This partnership brings together two companies with a shared ambition: to take great local storytelling to audiences far beyond its home market. CJ ENM has played a defining role in taking Korean entertainment global, while MBC GROUP has built an unparalleled connection with audiences across MENA. Together, we see significant long-term opportunities across content, streaming and entertainment.”

Alibrahim added: “The launch of a dedicated TVING space on MBC SHAHID, together with Korean content across our television channels, strengthens the breadth and quality of entertainment we can offer Arab audiences. It also reflects our broader strategy of building partnerships with leading international media companies and strengthening MBC GROUP’s position as a gateway between global content and audiences across the region.”

- Named National Winner in 7 AACA Categories, Advancing to Compete for Grand Winners in December

- Earns Multiple Nominations Across Diverse Titles at ATA and VTA

- Proves Global Production Power Across Scripted, Non-Scripted, and Tech-Driven Formats

CJ ENM has once again proved its status as a global IP powerhouse as its content continues to gain international recognition on the world stage.

CJ ENM has secured National Winner honors across seven categories at the Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA). Furthermore, the company earned multiple nominations at both the Asian Television Awards (ATA) and the Venice TV Award (VTA), further underscoring its global creative excellence.

■ 7 AACA National Winner Wins — Competing for the Grand Winner Titles

The recognized titles span a wide range of genres, from hit drama series to unscripted entertainment shows.

TVING Original <The Legend of Kitchen Soldier> earned two titles, winning Best Comedy and Best Original Production by a Streamer. Director Won-woong Lee’s <I Am Boxer>, streaming on Disney+, was named National Winner for Best Direction (Non-Scripted), while TVING Original <Dear X>, directed by Eung-bok Lee, claimed Best Direction (Scripted). Furthermore, <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty>, available to stream on Netflix, won Best Drama Series, <Undercover Chef> secured Best General Entertainment, Game or Quiz Programme, and TVING Original <EXchange 4> took home Best Non-Scripted Entertainment. Among these honored works, <The Legend of Kitchen Soldier>, <Dear X>, and <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty> were produced by Studio Dragon, CJ ENM’s premium drama production studio.

Held annually in Singapore, the AACA recognizes creative achievements from across the Asia-Pacific region through a two-round judging system. Entries from 17 nations and territories are first evaluated to select National Winners representing their respective territories. These National Winners then progress to the International Round, where Grand Winners are determined by an international jury of industry figures, with final results to be announced at the gala awards on December 3.

■ <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty> and <BOYS II PLANET> Nominated for ATA and Venice TV Award

Additionally, a number of CJ ENM productions were shortlisted for major awards across Asia and Europe.

At the ATA, <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty> was nominated for Best Drama Series, while <Dear X> was named a nominee for Best Drama Series (OTT). Founded in 1996, the ATA is an international awards program for Asia-Pacific television, often referred to as the "Emmys of Asia." For its 31st edition, roughly 60 international judges will evaluate entries across approximately 59 categories.

At the VTA, <BOYS II PLANET> earned a nomination in Light Entertainment, <I Am Boxer> in Best of Technology and Innovation, and <SUMBAKKOKJIL> in Cross Platform, demonstrating the company's global capabilities across non-scripted formats and technological-platform innovation.

Launched in 2018, the VTA takes place two weeks after the Venice Film Festival, where an international jury meets in Venice to recognise broadcasters, producers, and streaming platforms from across the globe across 19 categories, including Documentary, Animation, and Comedy.

“This achievement reflects CJ ENM’s strong IP planning and production capabilities, which continue to resonate in the global market across genres and platforms,” said a CJ ENM representative. “Moving forward, we remain committed to delivering unique, high-quality K-content that brings fresh joy and inspiration to audiences worldwide.”