CJ ENM Hosts a Semi-Final Round of Judging for the 2026 International Emmy® Awards for the Second Consecutive Year
- CJ ENM Acts as a Global Cultural Bridge by Hosting a Semi-Final Round of Judging for the 2026 International Emmy® Awards in Seoul for the Second Consecutive Year
- Industry Leaders Complete Judging for the Drama Series Category
- 'Global Partners Day' Unveils Insights Across the Entire IP Value Chain
CJ ENM has successfully hosted a Semi-Final Round of Judging for the 2026 International Emmy® Awards for the second consecutive year, further reinforcing its position as a global IP powerhouse.
Hosting a Semi-Final Round of Judging in Seoul for two straight years aligns with CJ ENM’s broader mission to expand the global reach of K-content while furthering its role in bringing Korean culture to the world stage. A leading force in global entertainment, CJ ENM continues to bridge cultures across the media industry.
The Judging took place on July 23 at CGV CINĒ de CHEF in Yongsan, Seoul. The jury featured key executives from leading global entertainment companies, including CJ ENM, Warner Bros. Discovery, The Walt Disney Company Japan, Rakuten Viki, U-Next, Nippon TV, Viu TV, Far EasTone, KNOCKONWOOD Inc., and Media Prima. The panel evaluated entries in the Drama Series category, conducting a comprehensive assessment of submissions from across the globe. Nominations will be announced in September, and the Awards ceremony will be held in New York on November 23.
“For over three decades, CJ ENM has driven the global expansion of K-content with pride and a vision for Korean culture, building K-culture into a sustainable global industry,” said Jangho Seo, EVP of Platform Business Division at CJ ENM. “It is deeply meaningful to fulfill our role as a global cultural bridge by hosting an International Emmy® Awards Semi-Final Round of Judging once again. Moving forward, we remain dedicated to ensuring K-content continues to resonate globally through an integrated value chain spanning planning, production, distribution, and platforms.”
Ahead of the Judging, CJ ENM hosted 'CJ ENM Partners Day' on July 22 to foster content and cultural exchange while strengthening collaborative ties with its global partners. Attended by Sang-hyun Yoon, CEO of CJ ENM, members of the jury, and over 130 prominent global entertainment executives, the event featured five dynamic sessions spanning media market outlooks and the entire IP value chain:
The Keynote session kicked off with market forecasts shared by Omdia Principal Analyst Paul Erickson. Next, the Creator Talk session featured prominent CJ ENM directors who shared behind-the-scenes insights into their global hits. The lineup included Tae-you Chang of <Bon Appétit, Your Majesty>, a highly anticipated 2025 release blending Korean cuisine and history; Shin-woo Park of <Our Unwritten Seoul>, named one of TIME’s Top 10 K-Dramas of 2025; and Jang-hun Lee, who is currently producing Season 2 of the globally acclaimed K-high school series <Study Group>. The Panel Discussion introduced upcoming line-ups and transmedia strategy through cases such as <Spooky in Love>, and spotlighted <Merry Berry Love>, highlighting the dynamic global co-production and distribution strategy forged jointly with Nippon TV and The Walt Disney Company Japan for the landmark Korea-Japan series. The discussion also featured Sebestian Kim, Head of Content Business Unit at CJ ENM, and Dillon Seo, Country Manager at Deutsche Telekom, presenting strategies for establishing partnerships in emerging markets and driving the global expansion of K-content.