Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM are joining forces to expand Korean entertainment across Asia Pacific, combining production resources and distribution reach in a multi-year agreement that launches in early 2026.
The partnership establishes a TVING-branded section on HBO Max spanning 17 markets including Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Subscribers will access exclusive premieres of new Korean dramas alongside hundreds of hours from CJ ENM’s catalog. The platform will feature both scripted series and unscripted programming from TVING’s library.
Beyond distribution, the companies plan to co-invest in original Korean drama productions for worldwide release on HBO Max. The arrangement marks Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest effort to strengthen regional content offerings after similar deals in Europe and Latin America.
CJ ENM, which operates the Mnet television network and TVING streaming service, has built its business around exporting Korean content internationally. The company previously partnered with streaming platforms to distribute shows like “Crash Landing on You” and “Hospital Playlist.”
Some Korean titles will appear on HBO Max ahead of the hub’s launch, with the drama “Dear X” scheduled to premiere November 6. The companies declined to disclose financial terms of the agreement or specify which original productions are in development.
The deal comes as streaming services compete for Asian subscribers through local-language programming, with Korean series attracting viewers beyond the region.
