CJ ENM, NCSoft team up, possibly on upcoming K-pop platform

Entertainment company CJ ENM partnered with gaming outlet NCSoft to cooperate on content and digital platform development with a plan to establish a joint venture within this year.

The two companies signed the partnership on Tuesday while details about the specific business direction are yet to be announced.

CJ ENM will bring its expertise on the entertainment business and content production while NCSoft will deliver technological prowess, according to a joint statement released by the two companies.

Although the two companies have not confirmed anything, the most likely area for them them to cooperate is on a new K-pop digital platform to be launched by the gaming publisher.

The platform, named Universe, will offer a wide range of services for K-pop fans including messages and calls that appear to be with celebrities based on artificial intelligence and the customization of digital characters built on motion capture.

The number of pre-registered users for the upcoming service surpassed 1 million last month.

The two companies said nothing has been decided.

As face-to-face concerts became largely impossible during the pandemic, CJ ENM turned virtual in hosting its year-end Mnet Asian Music Awards without an audience.

“Combining CJ ENM’s experience of producing content and NCSoft’s expertise on digital platform,” said Lee Sun, head of music business division at CJ ENM, “we will take the lead in the future entertainment industry where the role of technology will grow more important.”

Kim Jung-ha, the head of NCSoft’s entertainment business division, echoed the expectation, saying that “the partnership is expected to deliver meaningful results as the two companies have their own strengths.”

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]