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- 2024 MAMA AWARDS Updates Criteria to Better Reflect Comprehensive Nature of K-Pop as Global Force
- World’s No.1 K-POP Awards aims to set new standards of K-pop Awards
- Award show to kick off at the Dolby Theatre in LA on Nov 21 (PST), and then take place in full at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Japan from Nov 22 to 23 (KST/JST)
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM, and the 2024 MAMA AWARDS, presented by Visa, revealed today the addition of a new award category and updated criteria for its biggest awards. The change is part of CJ ENM's effort to set new standards of K-pop awards as it did 25 years ago when the company started the MAMA AWARDS, the world’s No.1 K-POP Awards.The new criteria was set to better reflect the multifaceted success artists, songs, albums and music videos have enjoyed with their fans over the course of the last year. For example, for “Album of the Year”, the album’s value will no longer be judged solely upon sales, but will now take into account the album's entire package, including the production quality, art and visuals, individual songs, its impact on the music industry, and more.The new award category introduced is “Best Choreography”, keeping with the theme of honoring K-pop and the work put into creating the music as comprehensively as possible. The Best Choreography award will recognize K-pop choreographers and artists who have contributed to K-Pop's global success by creating the synchronized dance moves and visually-captivating performances that the genre is known for.For the first time in its history, the 2024 MAMA Awards will start in the United States before taking place in Japan in November. The move to present awards and have performances across the ocean in a different time zone at the beginning of the show is yet another significant step towards broadening K-pop reach as well as connecting global K-pop fans across time zones.The 2024 MAMA AWARDS ceremony will center around the concept of “BIG BLUR : What is Real?,” in a reflection of growing trends on blurred boundaries between industries, culture, music genres and technology. Under the Big Blur concept, the awards ceremony will present surreal but real experiences and showcase visually captivating performances through the convergence of art and technology.Boasting a 25-year legacy, the MAMA AWARDS have been at the forefront of K-pop’s expansion, with award ceremonies hosted across Asia, including Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan. Reflecting CJ ENM’s commitment to elevate K-pop music on a global scale, this year’s MAMA AWARDS will kick off at the Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on November 21 (PST) and will be held at the KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Japan over two days from November 22 to 23 (KST/JST). 2024 MAMA AWARDS will also be broadcast worldwide including global digital platforms.“We are forever trying to grow, and as K-pop evolves so must we, which is why we are adding new categories and updating the criteria in which we honor each of our award participants,” CJ ENM said. “In an era defined by rapid technical change and industry convergence, the MAMA AWARDS aim to redefine the value of K-pop albums and highlight every aspect of K-pop, which is more than just the music, but a combination of so many things, from music video production, to dance, to global competitiveness and so much more.”Nominations for 2024 MAMA AWARDS will be aired on Mnet and its official YouTube channel Mnet K-POP on Oct 14 at 6 PM (KST). More details on the awards will be unveiled in the coming months.10월. 09. 2024 - CJ ENM to Maximize Cross-Platform Synergy and Keep Annual Investment for Content at 1 Trillion Won, the Highest Level in Korea
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM revealed today its blueprint to spearhead the K-content ecosystem by maintaining its content investment scale at the highest level in Korea and extending its content IP competitiveness to cross-platform synergy.
At the CJ Movie Forum held on site of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), CJ ENM shared its aspiration to lead the K-content industry. Through retaining its annual investment for content at 1 trillion Won, the highest in Korea, and utilizing its insight accumulated through global studios, theaters, and OTT platforms, CJ ENM will dedicate its resources to bolstering film industry figures. Yoon Sang-hyun, CEO of CJ ENM remarked, “Despite the growing uncertainty in the film industry, we will continue to support creators and enable their imaginations to come to life and shine bright.”
Executives from CJ’s entertainment division subsidiaries CJ CGV, Studio Dragon, and TVING also joined the forum, proposing ideas for the development of the K-content ecosystem amidst the rapidly transforming environment. The four companies presented business strategies they currently envision: building a progressive production system by securing talented and aspiring creators, strengthening competitiveness by creating synergy between linear and digital platforms and solidifying a proactive distribution system, and establishing a sustainable global business structure.
Notable attempts and objectives are being made by the four content powerhouses. Lee Dong-hyun, Chief of Business Innovation Office of CJ CGV shared how the company has expanded its content spectrum to include music-based features, animations, and sports. As revealed by CEO Jang Kyung-ik, Studio Dragon aims to increase projects that involve rising creators and actors, providing opportunities to refresh the K-drama industry. CJ ENM is considering expanding the application of AI technology across production and distribution, as told by Seo Jang-ho, SVP of Content Business.
The CJ executives agreed that theaters, OTT, and broadcasting channels are coexisting platforms that should cooperate to maximize IP lifecycle. <Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard> was introduced as the case where CJ utilized its entire capacity to source a hit IP across a linear channel, OTT, and theater simultaneously. A spinoff of the widely acclaimed crime thriller <Stranger>, <Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard> is produced by Studio Dragon, released and broadcasted by TVING and tvN, and is invited to BIFF for premiere screening.
Methods to stretch the lifecycle of IPs are being explored by TVING. Choi Ju-hui, CEO of the platform revealed that approaches like multi-channel release and simultaneous production of various formats including film, series, spin-offs, and short forms all coming from a single source of IP are under consideration. TVING also pursues collaborations that bring digital and physical spaces together, intertwining characteristics of both OTT and theaters.
The subsidiaries also revealed a clear vision for global expansion. With around 20 global projects currently in development, Studio Dragon is keen to produce series formats for US and Japanese local markets. TVING is refining its global launch strategy, focusing on regions where K-content is making a remarkable impact, such as the US, Southeast Asia, and Japan. CJ ENM sees potential in new markets like India and the Middle East where Korean content has yet to reach stark popularity or profit.
The forum also brought together Jerry Kyoungboum Ko, Head of Film Business of CJ ENM, and next-generation Korean film directors Jason Yu, Han Jun-hee, and Jeon Go-woon to discuss what makes K-content resonate with global audiences and how it can achieve a global leap.
Key factors behind the popularity of Korean stories were narrowed to K-content’s proficiency in exploring hybrid genres and maintaining an ideal balance between accessibility and cultural uniqueness. Presenting plots and cinematography that are both fresh and flavorful, K-content does not avert from genres that may feel unfamiliar to audiences. Its cinematic language feels accessible to Hollywood filmmakers, yet still maintains its cultural background. CJ ENM is continuously in search of films with these characteristics and hopes to initiate the global expansion of such stories.
CJ ENM also excitedly shared some big titles from its content lineup for 2025. Audiences will be able to meet director Park Chan-wook’s new film <No Other Choice> (working title), a series adaptation of the film <Fabricated City>, <Way Back Love> scheduled to launch on TVING in the first half of next year, and <Bugonia> the highly anticipated Hollywood remake of <Save the Green Planet!>.
10월. 04. 2024 - CJ ENM’s KCON GERMANY 2024 Wraps Up 2-Day Celebration of First K-POP Fan & Artist Festival in Germany
- German edition of K-POP Fan & Artist Festival featured upbeat music and spectacle dance performances from Sep 28 to 29 at Messe Frankfurt
- About 4.1 million fans enjoyed KCON GERMANY 2024 together on-site and online from around 170 countries and regions
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM announced today that its KCON GERMANY 2024, held from September 28 to 29 at Messe Frankfurt, wrapped up its spectacle first-ever K-POP Fan & Artist Festival in Germany, once again bringing together K-Pop fans around the world to connect through music and culture. Around 4.1 million fans enjoyed KCON GERMANY together on-site and online from around 170 countries and regions.KCON GERMANY 2024 presented one of the most interactive and immersive experiences between fans and artists over the weekend. The German edition of K-POP Fan & Artist Festival featured joy-filled days and nights of upbeat music and dazzling dance performances in Frankfurt, with K-Drama star Hwang In Youp and K-Pop icon MIYEON from (G)I-DLE hosting MCOUNTDOWN together for two days in a row.The first day of KCON STAGE showcased remarkable performances from Dreamcatcher, izna, Lee Young Ji, ONF and THE BOYZ, followed by MCOUNTDOWN with impeccable performances by EVNNE, ILLIT, JO1, KISS OF LIFE, MIYEON ((G)I-DLE), NOWADAYS, THE BOYZ and YUGYEOM. The second day of KCON GERMANY featured another unforgettable performances of EVNNE, JO1, Kep1er, KISS OF LIFE and YUGYEOM on KCON STAGE, while Dreamcatcher, izna, Kep1er, KEY, Lee Young Ji, LUN8, ONF and RIIZE captivated the audience with their performances on MCOUNTDOWN.KCON’s signature performance is the ‘DREAM STAGE,’ where fans have the opportunity to dance on stage with their favorite K-Pop artists. KCON GERMANY’s DREAM STAGE was created together with fans and K-Pop stars like ILLIT and RIIZE for their hit songs ‘Magnetic,’ and ‘Get A Guitar,’ respectively.Performances aside, KCON GERMANY provided various activities such as MEET & GREET where fans have a closer-up opportunity with artists. KCON attendees could also experience and enjoy a wide range of products from Korean cosmetics to Korean food to K-Pop stars’ merchandise, presented by 26 companies. Of the booths set up by Korean companies, visitors could get a taste of Korean food and snacks at ‘bibigo’s booth, themed as a Korean-style convenience store. Furthermore, the Seoul Metropolitan Government took part in KCON GERMANY 2024 to promote its brand ‘Seoul, My Soul,’ and character ‘Hechi & Soul Friends’. Other official partners including the Korea Tourism Organization and the National Hangeul Museum had their own branded booths to boost Korean tourism and enhance the awareness of Hangeul, Korean alphabet, globally.“We are pleased to present KCON GERMANY for the first time and to have an opportunity to engage with K-Pop fans in Europe and feel their passion for K-Pop.” Harry H.K. Shin, Head of Music Entertainment at CJ ENM. “KCON will continue to evolve and play an active role in bringing people together around the world through music and culture.”First started in Irvine, U.S. in 2012, CJ ENM’s KCON has been a driving force in fostering a global community around K-Pop and demonstrating the immense power of K-Pop fandoms. KCON has become a recognized platform for launching the careers of K-pop artists on the international stage with having about 1.96 million attended fans over the past 12 years.9월. 30. 2024