CJ ENM held 'Mnext: Worlds of Mnet Since 2025' at 4 p.m. on the 15th to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Mnet and unveiled a blueprint for its music business in 2025 for a new global leap.
At the event, Shin Hyung-kwan, head of the music content business division at CJ ENM, and Kim Ji-won, head of Mnet Plus, served as presenters, sharing CJ ENM's global music business strategy and the vision for Mnet Plus. This year, CJ ENM aims to strengthen its competitiveness with three core pillars of its music business: ▲ global multi-label, ▲ global production studio, and ▲ global platform. In particular, plans are underway to expand its position in the global music market through the establishment of a new global label, expansion of global targeted content, and the launch of new services from Mnet Plus within the year. CJ ENM is expected to embark on a full-scale global venture based on its accumulated content production capabilities and platform operation experience over the past 30 years.
Shin Hyung-kwan, head of the music content business division at CJ ENM, announced plans to establish a new global label connecting domestic and international artists and fans after Wake One and Japan's Rapone Entertainment. Based on its successful entry into the world stage with K-POP artists through Wake One and the successful establishment of a K-POP nurturing system in Japan through Rapone Entertainment, CJ ENM is set to launch a new global artist label within the year.
In terms of global production studios, there are plans to expand large-scale projects that can collaborate with global artists beyond K-POP. New projects will include 'World of Street Woman Fighter,' a national competition featuring global dance crews, the first project 'Boys 2 Planet' produced and aired simultaneously in K and C versions, and an eight-part competitive series 'K-Pop'd (tentative title)' in collaboration with Apple TV+. A new lineup has also been announced for the first time. The 2025 new Japan-Korea joint hip-hop project 'Unpretty Rapstar: Hip Hop Princess,' produced by the 'Unpretty Rapstar' team and the 'Street Woman Fighter' team, is being prepared for broadcast in the second half of the year.
CJ ENM emphasized that it will continue to expand its music business ecosystem model through the MCS (Music Creative eco-System), which aims to create opportunities for talented artists, collaborate with small and medium-sized planning companies, and develop global partnerships. Additionally, it plans to enhance fan communication and community-focused fan experiences through the world's largest K-Pop fan and artist festival 'KCON,' as well as the world-renowned K-Pop awards ceremony 'MAMA AWARDS' and the global digital platform 'Mnet Plus.'
Kim Ji-won, head of Mnet Plus, stated that Mnet Plus plans to enhance its platform based on three core elements: K-POP content, communication with fans, and global commerce. Mnet Plus has achieved remarkable growth, surpassing 27 million subscribers and 7 million monthly active users (MAUs) within just three years since its launch, while also nearing a record of 320 million cumulative votes.
This year, there will be a significant reinforcement of original content such as 'Hide and Seek,' along with streaming and VOD services for Mnet programs, concerts, KCON, and MAMA AWARDS, as well as various K-POP-related content. Furthermore, interactive fan content such as voting support digital and photo collect real-time talk will be expanded, and communication features like fan club management, artist postings exclusively for fans, and 1:1 chatting will be provided through 'Plus Chat.' In April, a beta service for 'Mnet Plus Merch' will connect online and offline commerce using CJ ENM's IP, enhancing platform competitiveness for fandom with differentiated curation, including limited edition products.
Meanwhile, in the CJ ENM MUSIC media lounge, videos conveying congratulatory messages from artists affiliated with the label and global aspirations were revealed, as well as 4K remastered videos of legend stages selected by vote to celebrate the 30th anniversary.
Shin Hyung-kwan, head of the music content business division at CJ ENM, noted, "We will strive to showcase CJ ENM's unique value in the global music market through our global multi-label, global production studio, and platform triangular strategy."
CJ ENM intends to lead the music industry by expanding the global influence of K-POP based on its content production capabilities, platform operation know-how, and artist cultivation experience.
[Photo] CJ ENM
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