CJ ENM has 5 dramas in “The 10 best K-dramas of 2024 – so far” by UK’s NME
CJ ENM-produced dramas have once again demonstrated their exceptional capabilities in the global market
Recently, NME, a prominent British pop culture magazine, released “The 10 best K-dramas of 2024 – so far” and CJ ENM dramas made up half of the selections, showcasing their dominance in the drama sector. NME noted, “The K-drama world in 2024 has been filled with thrills and romance aplenty – and we’re only halfway through the year.”
NME highly praised “Queen of Tears” (produced by Studio Dragon, Culture Depot, Showrunners), which set unparalleled records with a final episode viewership rating of 24.9%, 15 consecutive weeks in Netflix’s global chart top 10 and a cumulative 600 million hours of viewing. NME described it as “undoubtedly a masterclass” for its balance between emotional depth and humor, and its exploration of the human condition. Additionally, “Lovely Runner” (planned by CJ ENM Studios, produced by Bon Factory) was lauded for creating a “cultural phenomenon”, with its story providing viewers with a “true rollercoaster ride”.
The recently concluded drama “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” (produced by Studio Dragon and JS Pictures) was described as “a refreshing breeze in the Korean drama scene this year”. Another global hit, “Marry My Husband” (planned by Studio Dragon, produced by DK E&M), was introduced as “a dramatic and addictive work”. Meanwhile, “Pyramid Game” (produced by Film Monster and CJ ENM Studios, available on TVING), released globally through Paramount+, was highlighted for its “dark charm” and the impressive performances of newcomers Kim Ji-yeon, Ryu Da-in and Jang Da-ah.
This year, CJ ENM’s continuous hits have led tvN to achieve its first-ever annual prime-time viewership rating lead since its launch. In April, tvN dramas accounted for over 70% of the drama buzz across all platforms, opening what is described as the renaissance of TV dramas in the era of diversified media platforms. CJ ENM has also expanded the valuation of its IP by distributing it through various global OTTs such as Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ and Japan’s U-NEXT.
A CJ ENM representative stated, “It has been proven that well-made content transcends borders, channels and language barriers to reach global consumers. As a leading media entertainment company based on content platforms, CJ ENM will continue to present attractive K-content, lead the creation of a new cultural industry ecosystem and establish itself as a global IP powerhouse.”
Other selections in “The 10 best K-dramas of 2024 – so far” included two each from Netflix (“A Killer Paradox” and “Chicken Nugget”), JTBC (“Doctor Slump” and “The Atypical Family”) and Disney+’s “A Shop for Killers”.
