CJ ENM announced on the 5th that it will begin an open recruitment for the 2025 'O'PEN' program aimed at discovering and nurturing new creators. The recruitment is divided into 'O'PEN Storyteller' for the content sector and 'O'PEN Music' for the music sector.
O'PEN is a project by CJ ENM that comprehensively supports the entire process of discovering new creators, planning and developing content, production and scheduling, and business matching.
O'PEN Storyteller will select nine cohorts of writers for the drama sector and seven cohorts of composers for the music sector (popular music). The application period is from January 2 to 15 for the drama sector, from February 3 to 17 for the film sector, and from March 4 to 13 for the music sector.
Applicants can freely submit up to a total of five pieces for the drama sector and up to three pieces for the film sector. Anyone can apply if they do not have a writing contract with a broadcasting company or production company as of June 1. Music sector applicants must submit two unreleased tracks they participated in, in MP3 format.
The 2025 O'PEN Storyteller sector will apply a strengthened curriculum and operational system to aid in writer training. One professional mentor will be designated per two to three emerging writers, and the mentoring period will be extended by one month to provide concentrated coaching for about nine months, enhancing the quality of the created stories.
Starting in 2025, the O'PEN Music sector will also expand its songwriter camps and collaborations with external partners to increase opportunities for collaboration among composers. The program plans to further enhance synergy through regular interactions and joint projects with senior composers who are actively working in the music industry after completing O'PEN Music.
Additionally, a digital business matching system will be implemented to provide O'PEN writers with more content collaboration opportunities with various production companies. The digital business matching system is an online platform that integrates various information necessary for the collaboration process between writers and production companies, tailored to their main work histories and new development items.
Previously, there were specific periods for interaction between writers and production companies, or it required a process involving multiple steps, but with the implementation of O'PEN's digital business matching system, the intention is to accumulate multifaceted information between writers and production companies to facilitate smooth communication and exchanges.
A CJ ENM official said, 'This year, we will strengthen the mentoring function to enhance the quality of the creation stories of new writers and increase opportunities for collaboration with partners,' adding, 'CJ ENM will take the lead in creating a sustainable cultural ecosystem as a leader in K-content.'