CJ E&M exports variety shows

CJ E&M, one of Korea’s leading entertainment and media content companies, announced further sales of its popular TV show formats to Chinese, Thai and Japanese media companies.

The formats of variety show “Let’s Go, Time Travelers” and makeover show “Let Me In” were sold to China’s 3C Media and Thailand’s Workpoint Entertainment, respectively, the company said in a press release Friday.

Aired in 2014 on Korean cable network tvN, “Let’s Go, Time Travelers” is a show in which cast members forgo all modern technology in order to experience the lives of their ancestors and learn from their wisdom.

Kim Hyung-oh, the show’s producer, will fly to China to consult on and participate in 3C Media’s planning and production process.

The Chinese version, set to air nationwide on major local television network Sichuan TV in July, is “expected to earn high viewership, as the country has many historical sources to pull from,” said CJ E&M in the press release.

“Let Me In,” a makeover show that offers plastic surgery to participants struggling with their appearance, is currently in its fifth season in Korea on tvN. Its previous four seasons have aired on several Thai channels.

With the recent format sale, a Thai version will be produced by local media company Workpoint Entertainment and aired on Workpoint TV within the year.

Additionally, Japanese cable channel KNTV purchased the format of CJ E&M’s daily soap opera “A Bird That Doesn’t Sing,” before the show’s Korean premiere on June 5. It has been airing in Japan since June 3.

CJ E&M previously sold the formats of singing audition program “Superstar K,” psychological survival reality show “The Genius” and romance reality show “The Romantic” to overseas buyers.

“The latest round of deals is a clear indication that CJ E&M’s content is recognized for its originality and creativeness not only in Korea but also in other countries,” said Seo Jang-ho, head of international sales and acquisitions at the company. “We will continue our effort to produce content that is attractive to a more global audience.”

By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)