Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM Team Up for K-Drama Hits on HBO Max
Warner Bros. Discovery, the global entertainment giant, has just announced a major partnership with South Korea’s CJ ENM, the company behind the Oscar-winning film Parasite. Together, they will co-produce original Korean drama series that will be available on HBO Max. This exciting collaboration aims to bring fresh, engaging K-dramas to audiences in several markets across Asia-Pacific starting in 2026.
What’s the Deal?
The multi-year partnership will see hundreds of hours of K-drama content launch on HBO Max in 17 different markets, including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Starting next year, HBO Max will become the streaming home for CJ ENM’s TVING platform in these regions, hosting both new K-drama releases and popular library titles.
The first drama series from this deal, Dear X, is set to premiere on November 6, marking the beginning of a new wave of Korean storytelling on HBO Max.
Why This Partnership Matters
This is a big move for both companies. Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to expand its reach in Asia-Pacific by bringing more locally relevant stories to its viewers. Meanwhile, CJ ENM is getting a larger platform to showcase its hit K-dramas beyond Korea.
David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said the partnership is a key part of their strategy to deliver stories that connect deeply with audiences worldwide. He praised CJ ENM for being a leader in creating stories that resonate with people everywhere.
On the other side, Miky Lee, Vice Chairwoman of CJ Group, expressed pride in teaming up with a global powerhouse like Warner Bros. Discovery. She highlighted the global appeal of Korean content and the opportunity this partnership provides to bring authentic Korean stories to fans worldwide.
A Growing Love for K-Dramas
This deal reflects a broader trend: Korean entertainment has exploded in popularity globally. From dramas to movies, Korean content has captured the imagination of viewers with its unique storytelling, high production values, and relatable themes.
CJ ENM has been a key player in this rise. In fact, this is not their first major deal with Warner Bros. Discovery — back in 2020, CJ ENM signed a first-look deal to co-produce unscripted series for the U.S. market. And four years ago, they had a similar partnership with ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global), bringing K-content to Paramount+ in Korea bundled with TVING.
What to Expect on HBO Max
Starting in 2026, subscribers in Asia-Pacific markets will see a steady stream of K-dramas on HBO Max, including brand-new productions and beloved classics from TVING’s library. This means more variety, more stories, and more chances for K-drama fans to discover new favorites.
This is also great news for people new to Korean dramas, as HBO Max’s global platform will make it easier than ever to access these shows. With a mix of genres and styles, there’s something for everyone, from romance and thriller to historical and fantasy.
The Bigger Picture: Global Storytelling
This partnership is about more than just content distribution — it’s about blending storytelling cultures. Warner Bros. Discovery’s rich history of storytelling combined with CJ ENM’s unique creative voice will create fresh narratives that can cross cultural and language barriers.
For Warner Bros. Discovery, investing in local stories that have global appeal fits perfectly with their mission to grow in key markets. For CJ ENM, it’s a chance to bring Korean stories to new audiences and collaborate with one of the world’s biggest entertainment companies.
What This Means for Viewers and the Industry
Fans of K-dramas have more reason to be excited than ever. This partnership promises a deeper catalog of K-content, accessible on a familiar platform with high streaming quality. It also opens doors for Korean creators to work on projects with international backing, which could lead to even more innovative storytelling.
For the entertainment industry, this deal signals the growing influence of Asian content worldwide. It’s a reminder that audiences everywhere crave diverse stories and that Korean dramas have a special place in global pop culture.
Final Thoughts
Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM’s collaboration is a game-changer for K-drama fans and the wider streaming landscape. With hundreds of hours of content arriving soon on HBO Max, viewers across Asia-Pacific can look forward to a rich mix of new and classic Korean dramas.
This partnership also highlights the power of storytelling to connect cultures and bring people together — a mission both companies clearly share. As K-content continues to captivate audiences globally, this deal will likely be just the beginning of many more exciting collaborations.
