CJ ENM Films & Television

CJ ENM Films & Television is the film and television-oriented entertainment division of South Korean media group CJ ENM. The operation was formerly known as CJ Entertainment and developed from CJ's entry into the entertainment business during the mid-1990s. Its activities have included film production, film investment, theatrical distribution, exhibition, and broader entertainment-content businesses. The division is associated with the expansion of CJ's media interests from film distribution into multiplex cinemas, cable television, internet services, and integrated entertainment operations. The business originated in the context of Cheil Jedang's early investment in DreamWorks SKG. In early 1995, Cheil Jedang invested in the newly established Hollywood studio, and in June of that year created a Multimedia Division. The division was renamed CJ Entertainment in September 1995, around the time it entered its first film-distribution arrangement involving the British film Secrets and Lies. This gave CJ an initial foothold in the Korean film market and established a platform for subsequent investment and distribution activity. CJ expanded beyond distribution by helping develop South Korea's multiplex cinema sector. In April 1998, CGV Gangbyeon 11 opened as the first multiplex in the CGV chain, linking CJ's content business with theatrical exhibition. The company's position strengthened during the 1997–1998 Asian financial crisis, when many smaller Korean film companies closed or contracted. At the same time, the popularity of Korean cinema increased, particularly after the success of Shiri in 1999. CJ Entertainment was able to use its capital, distribution infrastructure, and exhibition network to participate in the industry's consolidation and growth. CJ Entertainment Inc. was formally established in January 2000, and its first distributed film under the newly established company was Chunhyang. The company then benefited from the commercial performance of films it distributed or produced, including Joint Security Area, which surpassed the Korean box-office record previously associated with Shiri. These successes helped CJ Entertainment become one of South Korea's two largest film companies during that period, alongside Cinema Service. The operation later broadened its scope beyond theatrical film. CJ expanded into internet and cable television businesses, and in 2010 CJ Entertainment was combined with CJ Media, Mnet Media, On Media, and CJ Internet to create CJ E&M. CJ Entertainment subsequently operated within that broader entertainment-and-media subsidiary. In July 2018, CJ E&M merged into CJ ENM, and the film and television operation became part of the new CJ ENM structure. The division has also maintained international distribution relationships. From 2007 through 2015, CJ Entertainment distributed Paramount Pictures releases in South Korea, including DreamWorks titles after DreamWorks had been acquired by Paramount. The arrangement reflected CJ's earlier investment relationship with DreamWorks and gave it access to a significant international film slate. Paramount distribution in South Korea moved to Lotte Entertainment in 2015. Within CJ ENM, Films & Television remains associated with the development, financing, production, distribution, and exploitation of Korean and internationally oriented screen content.

CJ ENM Films & Television traces its origins to CJ's decision to enter the entertainment sector in the mid-1990s. Cheil Jedang invested in DreamWorks SKG in early 1995 and established a Multimedia Division in June of that year. The division adopted the CJ Entertainment name in September 1995, when it entered its first film distribution arrangement, involving Secrets and Lies. This initial activity positioned CJ as a new participant in South Korea's film-distribution market. The company subsequently pursued vertical expansion. Rather than limiting itself to film rights and distribution, CJ invested in the infrastructure needed to show films, contributing to the development of the CGV multiplex network. CGV Gangbyeon 11 opened in April 1998 and was described as Korea's first multiplex. This move connected content acquisition and production with exhibition and helped create a larger commercial platform for Korean and foreign films. The Asian financial crisis of 1997–1998 altered the competitive environment. Many smaller film companies were forced to close, while Korean cinema gained renewed public attention following the success of Shiri in 1999. CJ Entertainment used the changing market to expand its role. In January 2000, CJ Entertainment Inc. was formally established, and it distributed Chunhyang as its first film under the new corporate structure. The company's subsequent successes included Joint Security Area, which exceeded the Korean box-office record previously set by Shiri. These results helped establish CJ Entertainment as one of the leading Korean film companies, alongside Cinema Service. During the following years, the business broadened from theatrical film into internet, cable television, and other entertainment activities. In 2010, CJ Entertainment was integrated with CJ Media, Mnet Media, On Media, and CJ Internet to form CJ E&M. The film operation then functioned within CJ E&M's larger entertainment-and-media portfolio rather than as an isolated film company. The company also developed international commercial relationships. From 2007 to 2015, it distributed Paramount Pictures releases in South Korea. The relationship included DreamWorks films after Paramount acquired DreamWorks, and it was connected to Cheil Jedang's earlier investment in DreamWorks. Lotte Entertainment assumed Paramount's South Korean distribution activities in 2015. A further corporate restructuring took place in July 2018, when CJ E&M merged into CJ ENM. CJ Entertainment consequently operated under CJ ENM, and the film and television business became associated with the current CJ ENM Films & Television identity. Its documented scope encompasses film production, investment, publishing, distribution, and exhibition, while its broader corporate setting connects it with CJ ENM's television and other media activities.

• 2018

  CJ E&M merges into CJ ENM

  [1]CJ ENM Films & Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  In July, CJ E&M merged into CJ ENM, placing the film and television operation within the current CJ ENM corporate structure.

• 2015

  Paramount distribution changes hands in South Korea

  [1]CJ ENM Films & Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  CJ's South Korean distribution of Paramount films ended, with Lotte Entertainment taking over the activity.

• 2010

  CJ E&M is formed

  [1]CJ ENM Films & Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  CJ Entertainment was combined with CJ Media, Mnet Media, On Media, and CJ Internet to create CJ E&M.

• 2000

  CJ Entertainment Inc. is formally established

  [1]CJ ENM Films & Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  CJ Entertainment Inc. was officially established in January, with Chunhyang identified as its first distributed film.

• 1998

  CGV Gangbyeon 11 opens

  [1]CJ ENM Films & Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  CGV Gangbyeon 11 opened in April and was identified as Korea's first multiplex, extending CJ's activities into theatrical exhibition.

• 1995

  CJ enters entertainment and creates a multimedia division

  [1]CJ ENM Films & Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Following Cheil Jedang's investment in DreamWorks SKG, CJ established a Multimedia Division in June 1995 and renamed it CJ Entertainment in September.

• 1995

  First film distribution arrangement

  [1]CJ ENM Films & Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The newly renamed CJ Entertainment entered its first film distribution deal, involving Secrets and Lies.

An integrated Korean screen-entertainment operation combining content production and investment with film distribution and theatrical exhibition, supported by the wider CJ ENM and CJ Group media infrastructure.

• Film production and investment · 1995

  Feature films

  The division's core screen-content activity includes developing, financing, producing, and commercially exploiting feature films. Its historical growth was associated with Korean-language cinema and with the expansion of CJ's role from distribution into film investment and production.

• Theatrical and screen-content distribution · 1995

  Film distribution

  CJ Entertainment built its business around acquiring and distributing films in South Korea. Its distribution history includes Korean productions and an international relationship with Paramount Pictures, including DreamWorks titles, which continued through 2015.

• Television production and media

  Television and entertainment content

  Within the wider CJ E&M and CJ ENM structures, the operation is connected to television dramas, entertainment programming, cable television, and other media activities. The available reference identifies this broader expansion but does not provide a complete title-by-title catalogue.

• Multiplex cinema · 1998

  Theatrical exhibition

  CJ expanded into exhibition through the CGV multiplex network. The opening of CGV Gangbyeon 11 in 1998 connected the company's content business to cinema venues and helped establish a vertically integrated entertainment model.

• 2018

  Transfer into CJ ENMM&A

  Background

  CJ reorganized its entertainment businesses after operating the film division within CJ E&M.

  Action taken

  CJ E&M merged into CJ ENM in July 2018, placing CJ Entertainment's activities under CJ ENM.

  Aftermath

  The operation became part of the CJ ENM structure and is now identified as CJ ENM Films & Television.

  Source

• 2010

  Integration into CJ E&MM&A

  Background

  CJ sought to consolidate film, television, music, internet, and related media operations within a broader entertainment-and-media subsidiary.

  Action taken

  CJ Entertainment was combined with CJ Media, Mnet Media, On Media, and CJ Internet to form CJ E&M.

  Aftermath

  The film operation continued as part of CJ E&M's integrated media portfolio.

  Source

1. 1CJ ENM Films & Televisionen.wikipedia.org
2. 2CJ Entertainmentwikidata.org