CJ ENM to launch new K-pop label in collaboration with global firm

CJ ENM, South Korea’s leading entertainment company, plans to establish a new global K-pop label this year.

At a press conference held Tuesday at the CJ ENM Music Media Lounge in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, CJ ENM Music Content Division Head Shin Hyung-kwan shared that the new label will be launched with a global partner, following in the footsteps of its affiliated labels WakeOne and Lapone Entertainment.

"We plan to launch a new global artist label. More details will be revealed in the first half of this year," Shin said, adding that the new label will be established in partnership with a "world-renowned company."

WakeOne is home to artists such as singer-songwriter Roy Kim and boy band Zerobaseone, who were discovered through CJ ENM’s TV audition programs. Lapone Entertainment, established six years ago as a joint venture between CJ ENM and Japanese Yoshimoto Kogyo in Japan, has produced K-pop groups primarily composed of Japanese members.

Building on these successful cases, the entertainment company aims to connect domestic and global fans through its upcoming label.

As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, CJ ENM also revealed its vision to strengthen its presence in the global music market through three pillars: global multi-label expansion, a global production studio and digital platforms. This includes launching a new label, expanding internationally targeted content and introducing new services through its fandom platform, “Mnet Plus.”

In terms of production, CJ ENM plans to expand large-scale projects to bolster its global reach. Among this year’s slate, Shin expressed high expectations for Mnet’s upcoming survival shows, "Boys Planet K" and "Boys Planet C."

"This is a very ambitious project. We will simultaneously broadcast Korean- and Chinese-language shows, each producing a debut group. It’s our first time trying a format and scale like this, so we've been preparing thoroughly for a long time," Shin said. "(K-pop star wannabes from) over 110 countries have submitted applications, with keen interest coming not only from Asia but the Americas and Europe as well. More than 600 entertainment agencies have expressed interest in collaborating.”

Other notable projects include "World of Street Woman Fighter," a global dance crew competition; "Kpopped” (working title), an eight-episode competition series in partnership with Apple TV Plus; and "Mnet Band Project” (working title), an audition show to form a next-generation global Korean band. A new hip-hop collaboration between Korean and Japanese producers, "Unpretty Rapstar: Hip Hop Princess," is also in the works for later this year.

Mnet’s flagship festivals — KCON and the MAMA Awards — will also celebrate their 30th anniversary with expanded programming and performances.

"For this year’s MAMA Awards, we’re discussing new host cities to mark a fresh challenge," Shin said. "We are considering various candidate venues that can offer better performances and welcome more fans. We hope to announce the venue by the end of this month or early next month."

At the core of CJ ENM’s strategy is the Music Creative eco-System, or MCS. This music intellectual property ecosystem aims to discover new talent, support partnerships with smaller labels and expand global collaborations. The company also plans to use its digital platform, Mnet Plus, to boost fan engagement and grow fan-centered communities.

Mnet Plus, launched three years ago, has surpassed 27 million users and 7 million monthly active users, with nearly 320 million accumulated audience votes recorded to date.

In April, the platform will launch a beta version of "Mnet Plus Merch," linking online and offline commerce with CJ ENM IP and offering limited-edition curated products to increase competitiveness in the fandom commerce space.

"K-pop fandoms are uniquely engaged — they actively communicate and promote their favorite artists," said Kim Ji-won, head of Mnet Plus. "We plan to strengthen this interaction between fans and the platform."