Korean-Japanese collaboration and the With K expansion driving global partnerships

Netflix’s Japanese original series Romantic Anonymous, released on the 16th, centers on a romance between a man who cannot touch others due to a cleanliness disorder (Oguri Shun) and a genius chocolatier with a severe fear of being watched, played by Han Hyo-joo. Although directed by a Japanese director and produced as a Netflix Japan Original, planning and production were led by the Korean company Yong Film, with a Korean writer penning the screenplay. The drama’s gentle emotional tone, combined with the distinctive pull of Korean drama storytelling, helped it top Netflix Tudum’s Japanese series chart and rank sixth globally as of the 28th.

Global collaboration demand has grown because of the proven sales power and box-office success of K-content. Netflix data showed that last year Korean content accounted for about 8% of total viewing time worldwide, making it the number one among non-U.S. markets. CJ ENM has also been expanding with strategic partnerships, signing deals with Amazon Prime Video in May and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) this month to pursue With K content.

CJ ENM says that With K is no longer a trend but a core growth strategy for global media, aiming to develop a broad set of global IP and create a virtuous cycle by providing more opportunities to domestic creators. With K productions are thriving not only in drama but also in film and variety. The Korean-Vietnamese co-production film Mom, I’m Coming to You has generated strong local performance, surpassing break-even by day three and enjoying a 15-day streak atop the box office.

CJ ENM and Japan’s private broadcaster TBS are preparing a second collaboration, a brain-survival program called Syncro. CJ ENM also plans to build a TVING Brand Hall inside HBO Max to strengthen Asia-Pacific influence and diversify K-content distribution channels. The With K movement is accelerating as global media players deepen cooperation across IP development, distribution, and platforms.