Disney+ Japan signs a major Korean Content Deal with CJ ENM’s Tving, aiming to rival Netflix’s dominance in Japan’s booming streaming market.
Disney+ Japan Secures Landmark Korean Content Deal to Challenge Netflix
In a defining move for Asia’s entertainment industry, Disney+ Japan has sealed a landmark Korean Content Deal with South Korea’s entertainment giant CJ ENM, the company behind the popular streaming platform Tving. The multi-year partnership marks Disney+ Japan as the exclusive subscription video-on-demand partner for CJ ENM’s Tving content in Japan—an aggressive strategy aimed squarely at Netflix’s long-standing dominance in Korean drama streaming.
Korean Content Deal Brings 60 Originals and Iconic Dramas
Under the Korean Content Deal, Disney+ Japan will stream up to 60 original Korean series and top-rated dramas from Tving’s acclaimed library. The content rollout begins on November 5, 2025, with the thriller “Dear X” premiering in both Korea and Japan almost simultaneously on November 6. Other fan favorites, including “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” and “Reply 1988,” will soon follow, providing viewers with some of the most emotionally powerful storytelling in modern Korean entertainment.
To further promote these shows, Disney+ Japan is launching two new curated sections — “Tving Highlights” and the “Tving Collection.” These will feature a handpicked selection of high-impact Korean dramas designed to attract subscribers and sustain engagement throughout the platform.
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Strategic Push to Compete with Netflix
Disney’s Korean Content Deal directly challenges Netflix’s 21.7% market share in Japan’s streaming ecosystem, where Korean dramas have historically driven engagement. As of now, Amazon Prime Video holds 12.9%, while Disney+ Japan trails at 8.9%. The new collaboration aims to shift this balance by leveraging the unmatched popularity of K-content.
Korean storytelling has been a key pillar of Netflix’s global streaming success, from hits like Squid Game to Crash Landing on You. Disney’s move signals its intent to harness the same power, ensuring that culturally rich Korean content becomes a defining part of its global expansion.
CJ ENM’s Global Ambitions Reinforced
The Korean Content Deal is equally significant for CJ ENM, which is ramping up its international reach. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to create a dedicated Tving hub on HBO Max across 17 Asia-Pacific countries starting in early 2026.
CJ ENM’s CEO Yoon Sang-hyun announced that 2025 will mark the company’s “first official year of global expansion,” with $818 million committed to new content investment. This massive investment underlines CJ ENM’s mission to become the world’s premier K-OTT (Korean over-the-top) content provider.
Streaming Industry Trends in Asia
Asia’s streaming market is witnessing a paradigm shift. Analysts project that streaming revenue will surpass traditional pay-TV for the first time this year, with content spending expected to hit $5 billion by 2025.
Tetsuo Matsui, Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Japan, highlighted the importance of the Korean Content Deal in celebrating Disney+ Japan’s fifth anniversary. He described it as a “significant advancement” that aligns Disney’s offerings with the evolving entertainment preferences of younger, globally connected audiences.
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The Korean Wave Redefines Streaming Competition
The Korean Content Deal symbolizes more than just a business partnership—it represents a cultural shift in Asia’s entertainment economy. Korean dramas and original productions have captivated global audiences with their emotional narratives, strong female leads, and cinematic storytelling.
By integrating these productions into Disney+ Japan’s content lineup, Disney not only expands its library but also taps into a cross-cultural phenomenon that continues to dominate digital screens worldwide.
A New Chapter in Asia’s Streaming Wars
The arrival of fresh Korean content on Disney+ Japan marks a new phase in the battle for regional streaming supremacy. It signals Disney’s determination to redefine entertainment choices for millions of viewers while challenging Netflix’s leadership in one of Asia’s most competitive markets.
As the Korean Content Deal unfolds, industry experts are closely watching how Disney+ Japan leverages this partnership to capture Japan’s growing K-drama fan base. The move underscores how Korean culture—once a niche export—has become a driving force behind global streaming success in 2025.