TME Group Strengthens Entertainment Division with New Appointment of Former CJ ENM Executive

TME Group has announced the appointment of former CJ ENM executive Kim Seok-hyun as the head of its entertainment division, effective October 8.

In a strategic move to enhance its entertainment sector, TME Group is expanding its content portfolio, aiming to solidify its position as a comprehensive entertainment company. This expansion includes securing intellectual property across various sectors such as entertainment, drama, music, film, and management.

Kim Seok-hyun, the new head of the entertainment division, is a renowned content creator known for his work on popular Korean variety shows like 'Three Meals a Day,' 'Comedy Big League,' 'Reply 1988,' 'Amazing Saturday,' and 'You Quiz on the Block.' He has been a trendsetter in the Korean entertainment industry, crossing genres and platforms. Kim also played a pivotal role in the digital content market by launching original YouTube channels such as Dingo Studio, Sapiens Studio, and The Bob Studio, and led CJ ENM's digital content division to achieve an annual revenue of 200 billion KRW.

With Kim's addition, TME Group plans to dive into variety show production, expanding its reach to include OTT and digital platforms. The company aims to develop new variety formats and collaborate with talents discovered through its programs to create diverse content businesses and revenue models, strengthening its IP-centered profit structure.

Kim Seok-hyun expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "TME Group is a company with a flexible production structure that allows for daring projects and a vision for global expansion. We will continue to explore various collaborations and attempts to realize the essential fun of entertainment and the potential of new formats, regardless of the platform."

Ahn Seok-jun, the CEO of TME Group, commented, "Kim Seok-hyun is the most suitable person with both direction and expertise at this crucial time for TME Group's evolution into a comprehensive content company. We will further strengthen our multi-dimensional production system that transcends genres and platforms, based on content IP-centric planning and monetization strategies."

Meanwhile, TME Group's first drama after the merger, tvN's 'Unknown Seoul,' has topped both viewership ratings and buzz, drawing industry attention. This success showcases TME Group's production capabilities and planning prowess, and the upcoming drama and variety lineup is expected to accelerate the expansion of content targeting global audiences.

By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr