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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Leading entertainment company CJ ENM has officially established CJ ENM Middle East LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks the first instance of a Korean entertainment company establishing a subsidiary in the Kingdom. The move aligns with CJ ENM’s declaration of 2025, its 30th anniversary year, as the “First Official Year of Global Expansion.”

Strategic Market Entry

The establishment of a presence in Saudi Arabia is intended to facilitate CJ ENM’s active engagement in emerging global markets and enhance its global competitiveness. CJ ENM will integrate its expertise in content creation, production, and distribution with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s expanding entertainment infrastructure and cultural demand, positioning the region as a strategic growth engine.

Business Expansion and Collaborations

Through the new subsidiary, CJ ENM plans to pursue extensive business collaborations across various sectors, including music, television, film, and live entertainment, encompassing both scripted and unscripted content. Initiatives include the development of audition programs based on CJ ENM’s Music Creative Ecosystem (MCS) and artist discovery programs in partnership with local studios. In live entertainment, CJ ENM intends to host K-pop concerts utilizing both proprietary and external intellectual property.

Local Partnerships and K-Culture Influence

To foster local networks and ensure operational stability, CJ ENM is collaborating with Sela, Saudi Arabia’s leading company for live events and experiences. This partnership aims to broaden the influence of K-culture in the region. Since signing a strategic partnership in December 2024, CJ ENM and Sela have been in discussions for joint initiatives, leveraging Sela’s expertise in large-scale events to facilitate broader collaboration with local stakeholders.

Historical Engagement in MENA

CJ ENM has previously engaged with the MENA region through various partnerships. In 2022, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture. This was followed by a 2023 MOU with Manga Productions, a Saudi Arabian content company, for co-production and distribution across animation, TV series, films, webtoons, and media infrastructure. CJ ENM has also hosted KCON, a prominent K-Pop festival, in Saudi Arabia in 2022 and 2023. Recently, a content deal was finalized with Shahid, the largest Arabic-language streaming platform in the MENA region, to distribute 20 Korean series.

Market Opportunity and Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia, with over 62% of its population under 30, represents a dynamic consumer base with significant demand for K-content across entertainment, live performance, gaming, and sports. The country’s Vision 2030 national roadmap emphasizes the expansion of its entertainment industry as a strategic driver for economic and cultural growth. CJ ENM Middle East LLC will serve as a regional anchor, coordinating with its Korean headquarters to accelerate pan-MENA collaboration and broaden global reach in premium content creation.

About CJ ENM

CJ ENM is a leading South Korean entertainment and media company. It operates across various sectors, including content production, broadcasting, film, music, and live entertainment. Known for its innovative and diverse portfolio, CJ ENM aims to expand its global footprint and deliver premium entertainment experiences worldwide.

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