Starring Park Min‑young, Na In‑woo, Lee Yi‑kyung, and Song Ha‑yoon, Marry My Husband wrapped its TV run in February 2024, but the series’ international appeal surged when a Japanese remake sparked widespread popularity last year—solidifying its value as a global IP.
CJ ENM announced that it selected six major IPs, including both the Korean and Japanese versions of Marry My Husband, as this year’s Visionary works based on evaluations across broadcasting, film, music, and OTT platforms. The Visionary initiative, launched in 2020, honors individuals or works that have presented new visions in the K‑entertainment industry.
Domestically, the Korean version debuted with a strong 5.2% nationwide rating and climbed steadily to an average of 9.2%, topping the record books for tvN’s Monday‑Tuesday dramas. The final episode scored a 12% average with a 13.7% peak, ranking first across all channels in its time slot. The series also dominated internationally, ranking No. 1 for two consecutive weeks in the non‑English TV category on Amazon Prime Video.
The Japanese adaptation, Marry My Husband: Japan, premiered on Amazon Prime Video in late June 2025 and quickly became the most‑watched Japanese Amazon Original drama of all time. It topped Japan’s Prime Video charts at launch and spurred renewed interest in the original Korean version in both Japan and Korea.
While both versions are based on the same web novel, each took a distinct approach: the Korean drama’s high‑intensity plot, driven by betrayal and revenge, earned praise as a “satisfyingly bold revenge story,” whereas the Japanese version emphasized emotional depth and human drama, choosing a more locally tailored tone.
Among this year’s Visionary honorees, Park Min‑young was recognized for her portrayal of Kang Ji‑won, a character who redefines her destiny through intense revenge narrative arcs, and Japanese lead Sato Takeru was lauded for his forward‑thinking take on revenge as Wataru Suzuki. Producer Son Ja‑young of Studio Dragon also earned accolades for not only adapting Marry My Husband but strategically shaping its international appeal, demonstrating remarkable vision in production.
CJ ENM’s selection process involved initial assessments of commercial performance, platform impact, and public recognition, followed by in‑depth reviews by a committee of about 20 experts who weighed “IP sustainability” and “character impact” in final decisions.
Alongside Marry My Husband, the 2026 Visionary slate includes director Jang Tae‑yoo (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty), producer Kim Shin‑young (Boys II Planet), producers Adam Scott and Nicholas Weinstock (Severance), actor Park Bo‑young and writer Lee Kang (Our Unwritten Seoul), as well as Hwang Min‑hyun and director Lee Jang‑hoon (Study Group).
CJ ENM will host the Visionary awards ceremony on February 10 at the CJ ENM Center in Sanggam‑dong, Seoul, with domestic and international recipients in attendance, honoring creative excellence and global influence in entertainment.
Sources: Wikitree
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