Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM have unveiled a sweeping multi-year partnership that will bring a rich pipeline of Korean drama and entertainment to HBO Max subscribers across the Asia Pacific region. This deal marks one of the most significant collaborations between a Hollywood studio and a Korean content powerhouse to date.
Under the agreement, HBO Max will become the streaming home for Tving, the CJ ENM-affiliated Korean streaming platform, in 17 markets across Asia Pacific, including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. A centerpiece of the partnership is the launch of a dedicated Tving-branded hub on HBO Max set for early 2026. This hub will feature exclusive premieres of new original K-dramas alongside hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content drawn from CJ ENM and TVING’s extensive library.
Ahead of the hub’s official launch, HBO Max will begin rolling out K-content titles starting in November. This slate will include the highly anticipated drama **“Dear X,”** premiering on November 6.
The two companies will also co-invest and co-produce original Korean dramas for global distribution on HBO Max. This collaborative development pipeline is designed to feed the growing international appetite for Korean storytelling.
**Statements from Leadership**
“We are honored to partner with CJ ENM, a true leader in creating universally popular stories that resonate worldwide,” said David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. “This collaboration marks a cornerstone of our commitment to great, locally relevant stories in key markets around the world.”
Miky Lee, vice chair of CJ Group, added, “K-content captivates audiences everywhere with its creativity and originality. At CJ ENM, our mission has always been to connect people through the power of storytelling. This partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery takes that mission to a new level, combining Warner Bros. Discovery’s storytelling legacy with CJ’s unique voice. Together, we will deliver authentic narratives that transcend borders on a platform where fans can discover new favorites, revisit timeless classics, and experience the best in global content.”
JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasized the strategic importance of the deal: “HBO Max is the streaming destination for unique, premium storytelling, so this partnership with CJ ENM—a leader in the enormously popular K-content genre—aligns perfectly with our strategy and brand.”
**About Tving and the Korean Streaming Landscape**
Founded in 2020, Tving has rapidly emerged as a leader in Korea’s streaming landscape and is currently working on a merger with Wavve, another major Korean streaming service. As of August, Tving reported 7.56 million monthly active users, reflecting a 4.7% increase since May. The combined reach of Tving and Wavve approaches 10 million users.
Tving has built a reputation for acclaimed original series that have resonated internationally. Its drama “Death’s Game” ranks as one of the best K-dramas of 2024, while “Pyramid Game” was the only Korean content invited to Series Mania 2024, Europe’s largest TV series event. Additionally, “Bargain” won Best Screenplay at the 2023 Cannes International Series Festival, becoming the first Korean streaming original series to win at the prestigious event.
**CJ ENM’s Global Impact**
“CJ ENM has spearheaded the industrialization and global expansion of K-content over the past 30 years, positioning itself as a global IP powerhouse,” said Pious Jung, CEO of CJ America and president of content, global business for CJ ENM. “Through our extensive partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, we will strive for the sustainable growth of K-culture, which has now become a lifestyle for many across the globe.”
Further details about the Tving-branded hub and its content lineup will be revealed in the coming months. This partnership is a strategic bet on Korean content and a significant move to strengthen HBO Max’s position in the competitive Asian markets, while also expanding the reach of CJ ENM’s content library and TVING platform beyond Korea.
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/warner-bros-discovery-cj-enm-partnership-k-content-1236554309/
