CJ ENM Celebrates Global Creativity at 2026 Visionary Awards

On February 10, 2026, CJ ENM held its Visionary Awards ceremony at the CJ ENM Center in Seoul’s Mapo-gu district, recognizing the creative talents behind six successful original intellectual properties (IPs) from various countries. The event highlighted U.S. series “Severance,” alongside Korean productions “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” “Boys II Planet,” “Our Unwritten Seoul,” and “Study Group,” as well as the Japanese adaptation of “Marry My Husband.” This celebration underscores CJ ENM's commitment to expanding its international co-productions and collaborations.

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The ceremony was themed “Originality Construction Site,” symbolizing a space for innovation and storytelling. It brought together creators from both Korean and global productions, including “Severance” producer Nicholas Weinstock and Japanese actor Takeru Satoh. Since its inception in 2020, the Visionary Awards have aimed to honor creators and projects that have introduced fresh perspectives and expanded cultural footprints through originality.

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Nicholas Weinstock praised the ceremony's emphasis on creative ambition rather than commercial success, stating, “I’m very excited about the commitment that many of us in this room are making to telling great and bold stories.” He noted that CJ ENM’s Visionary Award reflects a dedication to creativity. Takeru Satoh emphasized the importance of character development in storytelling, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with fellow professionals.

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Park Min Young, an actress from “Marry My Husband,” described her project as transformative, stating, “This project was like a second chance in my life.” Lim YoonA, from “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” shared her connection to her character, highlighting the universal appeal of sincerity in storytelling.

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In a congratulatory video message, CJ Group vice chair Miky Lee emphasized the unifying power of storytelling, saying, “Technology has brought the world closer than ever, but it is stories that truly bring people together.” CJ ENM CEO Yoon Sang-hyun echoed this sentiment, stating, “The most compelling stories begin with characters shaped together by creators and artists.” He reaffirmed the company's commitment to expanding its Onlyone IPs, aiming to create life-defining works for global audiences.

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The 2026 Visionary Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also reinforced CJ ENM's role as a partner in the global cultural business. The event showcased the importance of character-driven narratives and the collaborative spirit of creators across different cultures, marking a significant step in CJ ENM's ongoing journey to foster creativity and innovation in entertainment.

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