CJ ENM, TBS and U-Next Form Korea-Japan Drama Venture StudioMonowa
CJ ENM, TBS, and U-Next Holdings have launched a Korea-Japan joint venture called StudioMonowa to produce and distribute original dramas targeting global audiences. The collaboration combines CJ ENM's K-drama production expertise, TBS's Japanese IP development, and U-Next's streaming platform infrastructure. The venture aims to create premium content with long-term commercial value, integrating creative and distribution capabilities across both countries.
- ▪StudioMonowa was officially launched on April 30, 2026, following a signing ceremony at the CJ ENM Center in Seoul.
- ▪CJ ENM will lead content planning and creative development, TBS will provide original Japanese IP and manage channel releases, and U-Next will handle streaming distribution on its platform.
- ▪U-Next is Japan’s leading local streaming service with over 5 million paid subscribers and a library of more than 440,000 titles.
- ▪The studio’s name combines the Japanese words 'mono' (story) and 'wa' (harmony), symbolizing the fusion of Korean and Japanese storytelling.
- ▪The partnership originated from a meeting in April 2025 between CJ Group chair Lee Jay-hyun and TBS leaders Sasaki Takashi and Abe Ryujiro.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Home TV News Apr 30, 2026 11:32pm PT CJ ENM, TBS and U-Next Form Korea-Japan Drama Venture StudioMonowa By Naman Ramachandran Plus Icon Naman Ramachandran Latest From Plantation Songs to Military Juntas, Purin Film Fund Backs Six Southeast Asian Projects 2 hours ago Princess Diana Docuseries Built on Five Hours of Unheard Tapes Set for 2027 15 hours ago Herman Yau’s ‘We’re Nothing at All’ Lands U.K.-Ireland Release With Trinity CineAsia 19 hours ago See All StudioMonowa A new Korea-Japan content joint venture, StudioMonowa, has been launched by CJ ENM, TBS and U-Next Holdings following a signing ceremony held April 30 at the CJ ENM Center in Seoul, attended by the top leadership of all three companies.
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