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| (Image Source: CJ ENM) |
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM recently announced the honorees of “2024 Visionary" which is being awarded to the 'visionaries' who spearhead trends and innovations in the entertainment industry. In a statement, a CJ ENM representative remarked, “The ‘visionaries’ who introduced new outlooks with their unparalleled creativity and impact are not only triumphs of the industry but also the future of Korean entertainment. CJ ENM will continue to fulfill its responsibility to propose a new vision for K-entertainment.” The "2024 Visionary" honorees comprise of KANG FULL, Kim Yong-hoon, Monika, Ryu Seung-ryong, Song Hye-kyo, Stray Kids, and UHM JUNG HWA.
Actress Song Hye-kyo and director Kim Yong-hoon inspired the entertainment industry and creators by expressing hyperrealistic stories that many people could resonate with. Song Hye-kyo was widely acclaimed for her acting transformation in the Netflix original series The Glory, produced by CJ ENM’s premium storyteller group Studio Dragon, in which she portrayed a former victim of school violence seeking revenge. With The Glory: Season 1 ranking top 3 in Netflix’s biannual engagement report for the first half of 2023, the series was recognized for raising social awareness of school violence. Mask Girl, the Netflix exclusive series produced by the CJ ENM subsidiary studio Bonfactory, tackled discrimination, sexuality, beauty standards, and numerous social issues. Director Kim Yong-hoon’s creative approach and artistic direction, casting three actresses to each represent the different facets of a single character, positioned him as the rising shape-shifter of the industry.
UHM JUNG HWA and Stray Kids are unrivaled artists who showed their own interpretation of what it means to be unique in ways relevant to current times and trends. A legendary figure both as an actress and a singer, UHM JUNG HWA proved her status as a multilayered entertainer in the JTBC TV series Doctor Cha and tvN reality show Dancing Queens on the Road. She also successfully wrapped up her first concert in 24 years, showcasing her identity as a prominent female solo artist in Korea. Music group Stray Kids radiates a global influence that extends far outside of Korea, reaching many fans across the globe. Topping the Billboard 200 chart with all four albums released since 2022 and scoring their first Billboard Hot 100 entry with LALALALA in 2023, their accomplishments as a self-produced group with an exceptional musical identity are setting new global milestones for the K-pop industry.
Author KANG FULL, actor Ryu Seung-ryong, and choreographer Monika proposed newness that led to the target audience expansion. As key figures of the Disney+/Hulu series Moving, author KANG FULL and actor Ryu Seung-ryong established new genres and characters with their originalities. The author of an original webtoon series, KANG FULL made his debut as a screenwriter with the series rendition, proposing a new genre of “K-superhero series” with a slow but convincing, people-centric story. Ryu Seung-ryong is an actor with a boundless spectrum who breaks the boundaries of his character. Having starred in more than four Korean films that amassed more than 10 million audiences including Extreme Job and Miracle in Cell No. 7, Ryu Seung-ryong has positioned himself as an unparalleled actor in the Korean film industry. Choreographer Monika starred in the STREET WOMAN FIGHTER series as a contestant in season 1 and returned as a judge in season 2. Viewers resonated with her sharp analysis and compassion for the contestants. As a leader of the Korean dance scene, she consistently expands the boundaries and bolsters the reputation of K-dance. She is also the first choreographer to be honored as a “visionary.”
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| (Image Source: CJ ENM/Orbit Studio) |
In celebration of their accomplishments in the Korean entertainment industry, CJ ENM revealed a special artwork reflecting the iconic moments of the seven honorees, created in collaboration with rising Korean artist Orbit Studio. Past Visionary honorees who have also been recognized for their accomplishments and trends in the Korean entertainment scene in recent years include the following:
2023
• (G)I-DLE (music group)
• Chung Seo Kyung (writer)
• Kim Hye Soo (actress)
• IU (musician and actress)
• Lee Jin Ju (producer)
• Lee Jung Jae (actor and director)
• Don Lee (actor)
• Nah Yung Suk (producer)
• Park Chan Wook (director)
• Park Eun Bin (actress)
2021
• aespa (music group)
• BTS (music group)
• Choi Jung-nam (producer)
• Hwang Dong-hyuk (director)
• Youn Yuh-jung (actress)
• Yu Jae-seok (TV personality)
2020
• BLACKPINK (music group)
• Bong Joon-ho (director)
• BTS (music group)
• Kim Eun-hee (writer)
• Kim Tae-ho (producer)
• Park Ji-eun (writer)
• Rain (musician and actor)
• Shin Won-ho (producer)
• Song Kang-ho (actor)
• Yu Jae-seok (TV personality)
