K-Dramas are going global in a big way! In one of the most exciting entertainment deals of 2025, South Korea’s CJ ENM and global media giant Warner Bros Discovery have joined forces to launch a bold new partnership. Their mission? To make Korean content a staple on screens across Asia and beyond. They are starting with a brand-new TVING hub on HBO Max and exclusive new K-drama productions.
A Game-Changing Partnership: CJ ENM and Warner Bros Discovery
CJ ENM and Warner Bros Discovery announced the multi-year strategic alliance in October 2025. This partnership will bring CJ ENM’s popular streaming platform, TVING, to HBO Max across 17 Asia-Pacific markets, including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
The TVING-branded hub is set to launch in early 2026. The hub will offer subscribers instant access to blockbuster Korean dramas, variety shows, and new exclusive releases. At the same time, CJ ENM and Warner Bros Discovery will co-produce original K-dramas designed for global audiences—streaming as HBO Max Originals.
Partnership Highlights and Details
TVING Hub on HBO Max (APAC Integration)
Under this deal, HBO Max will become the streaming home for TVING in 17 Asia-Pacific markets. A dedicated TVING-branded hub will be launched on HBO Max’s platform in early 2026. The hub will feature exclusive premieres of CJ ENM’s latest K-dramas alongside a vast library of popular Korean series and variety shows. It marks TVING’s first expansion beyond Korea, effectively bringing Korean streaming content to international markets via HBO Max. The integration is expected to leverage the high popularity of K-content in these regions while also boosting recognition of the TVING brand overseas.
Exclusive K-Drama Content
As part of the alliance, Warner Bros Discovery secured rights to hundreds of hours of CJ ENM and TVING’s programming for HBO Max.
Subscribers in the covered APAC markets will get first-run access to new original K-drama series from CJ ENM (exclusive premieres not available on other platforms in those regions). They will also be able to stream a rich catalog of CJ ENM’s acclaimed shows via the HBO Max TVING hub.
The number of titles involved hasn’t been disclosed yet. However, the content volume and exclusivity underscore WBD’s commitment to offering a robust K-content selection on its service.
Joint Production Pipeline
A key aspect of the partnership is the plan to co-develop and co-produce new Korean dramas for a global audience. CJ ENM and Warner Bros Discovery will jointly invest in original K-dramas, which will be distributed globally via HBO Max as exclusive content. This co-production pipeline means future Korean series will be created with global distribution in mind, combining CJ ENM’s creative expertise in K-drama production with WBD’s international reach. By building a steady flow of co-produced titles, the two companies aim to bring more high-quality Korean storytelling to viewers worldwide through HBO Max.
Beyond Content Licensing
Industry observers note that this agreement goes beyond a typical content licensing deal. In addition to sharing shows, it involves a deep integration of platforms and a strategic approach.
A CJ ENM representative emphasized that the partnership “goes beyond simple content collaboration to include a joint push into platforms”. It strengthens the sustainability of K-content by embedding it within a global streaming service. In other words, CJ ENM isn’t just selling shows to HBO Max – it’s leveraging HBO Max as a distribution platform for its own service (TVING) and content. This unprecedented move could set a new model for international OTT partnerships in the streaming era.
Launch Timeline and Initial Releases
The rollout of this strategic partnership began in late 2025 and will extend into 2026. Official launch of the TVING hub on HBO Max is slated for early 2026. At the time, the dedicated section and full content lineup become available to subscribers across the 17 APAC markets.
However, the collaboration kicked off earlier with select content releases. On November 6, 2025, HBO Max will premiere the highly anticipated K-drama “Dear X” as an early offering of the partnership. This premiere allowed fans to enjoy new K-content even ahead of the hub’s formal launch, signaling the kind of exclusive access HBO Max users can expect.
Additional Korean titles are expected to roll out on HBO Max in the interim period. It builds excitement until the complete TVING-branded section goes live in 2026.
Executive Perspectives on the Deal
The partnership was announced at a high-profile level, reflecting its importance to both companies. Warner Bros Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav and CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Miky Lee personally made the joint announcement in Seoul.
Both leaders, along with other executives, offered comments highlighting how this deal marries CJ ENM’s Korean storytelling strength with WBD’s global platform.
David Zaslav lauded CJ ENM as a true leader in creating universally popular stories that resonate worldwide.
“This collaboration marks a cornerstone of our commitment to great locally relevant stories in key markets around the world.”
David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Meanwhile, Miky Lee echoed the enthusiasm, calling WBD a global powerhouse whose stories have inspired audiences for generations.
“Together, we will deliver authentic narratives that transcend borders on a platform where fans can discover new favorites, revisit timeless classics, and experience the best in global content.”
Miky Lee, Vice Chairwoman of CJ Group.
JB Perrette indicated that the partnership aligns with HBO Max’s mission to deliver premium, unique storytelling by collaborating with a leading force in Korean content.
“As a long-established global leader in entertainment, we have always recognized that success requires a combination of the best of global and the best of local storytelling. HBO Max is the streaming destination for unique, premium storytelling so this partnership with CJ ENM, a leader in the enormously popular K-content genre, aligns perfectly with our strategy and brand.”
JB Perrette, CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Pious Jung, described the partnership as “extensive” and stressed CJ’s long-standing role in globalizing K-content.
“CJ ENM has spearheaded the industrialization and global expansion of K-content over the past 30 years, positioning itself as a global IP powerhouse. Through our extensive partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, we will strive for the sustainable growth of K-culture, which has now become a lifestyle for many across the globe.”
Pious Jung, CEO of CJ America and President of Content, Global Business for CJ ENM.
The Partnership Significance and Industry Context
Korean content has exploded in popularity around the world. And, this partnership ensures fans will have easier, faster access to fresh stories from Korea’s top creators. This CJ ENM–WBD partnership is viewed as a landmark collaboration that could shape the way streaming services expand their content offerings globally.
For Warner Bros Discovery, it provides a trove of popular Korean content, a genre that has seen explosive worldwide growth. The collaboration will bolster HBO Max’s appeal in Asia-Pacific markets. Korean dramas and variety shows have proven to draw dedicated audiences internationally, as evidenced by many K-dramas topping global streaming charts in recent years.
For CJ ENM, the deal represents a new distribution model to globalize its content. Instead of relying solely on licensing to third-party streamers (like Netflix or others), CJ ENM is effectively using HBO Max as a vehicle to take TVING global.
By joining forces with WBD, CJ ENM can broaden the horizons of K-culture and share the cost and risk of producing new content aimed at global viewers.
Meanwhile, subscribers to HBO Max in the included regions can expect:
- New K-drama premieres from CJ ENM, exclusive to HBO Max
- A deep library of hit Korean series and reality shows
- Fresh, co-produced originals launching globally
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Source: CJ ENM
