Copyright The Hollywood Reporter
The Walt Disney Company Japan has struck a multi-year content partnership with South Korea’s entertainment giant CJ ENM to bring the Seoul-based studio’s flagship streaming platform, TVING, to Japanese audiences via Disney+. Under the new deal, Disney+ Japan will become the exclusive local home for up to 60 of TVING’s biggest original titles and CJ ENM’s most popular dramas — including beloved hits such as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and Reply 1988. The rollout begins Nov. 6 with the launch of Dear X, starring Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae and Kim Do-hoon, which will stream simultaneously in Korea and Japan. The collaboration, announced Monday in Tokyo, marks TVING’s debut in Japan and represents a significant cross-border expansion for both companies. It will also help both brands strengthen their foothold in Japan — the Asia-Pacific region’s most valuable streaming market — as they seek to chip away at Netflix’s considerable lead in the territory. To highlight the new slate, Disney+ Japan will add a dedicated “TVING Highlights” section on its home screen alongside its global blockbuster franchises. A separate “TVING Collection” hub will also showcase the platform’s catalog of high-performing dramas and genre series in one place. “As we celebrate five years of Disney+ in Japan, we remain committed to expanding our content offerings,” said Tamotsu Hiiro, managing director of The Walt Disney Company Japan. “By combining CJ ENM and TVING’s compelling Korean storytelling with Disney+’s world-class portfolio of global blockbusters and local hits, we’re creating a richer viewing experience for viewers of all generations.” Julie Choi, CEO of TVING, added: “Our partnership with Disney, which has a strong presence and deep history in Japan, is an opportunity to effectively present TVING content to local viewers. Through this partnership with Disney, we aim to grow beyond Korea’s No. 1 OTT[service] into a truly global platform.” Tony Zameczkowski, senior vice president and general manager of direct-to-consumer for Asia Pacific at Disney, described the deal as “a pivotal moment” in Disney’s regional content strategy. “This partnership not only strengthens our Korean content offering but is the beginning of a broader opportunity to deepen our connection with audiences in one of the world’s most dynamic streaming markets,” he said. The announcement follows Disney+’s ongoing expansion of Korean and Japanese originals, including local hits Gannibal and Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation, alongside popular Korean dramas Moving, The Worst of Evil and Tempest. The company will unveil its forthcoming Japanese and Korean content slates at a major showcase event at Hong Kong Disneyland on Nov. 12 and 13. The move also emphasizes CJ ENM’s recent strategy of building alliances with global streaming players. Just last month, Warner Bros. Discovery inked a similar multi-year deal with CJ ENM to co-produce Korean dramas and integrate TVING into the HBO Max ecosystem in Asian territories spanning Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
