South Korean giant also unveils AI-powered animation using proprietary production and script tools
Parasite outfit CJ ENM is aiming to debut AI-driven dramas by the end of 2025 and has pulled the curtain back on a 100% AI-generated animation to be rolled out on YouTube next month.
The South Korean giant, which is behind formats such as I Can See Your Voice and owns Severance firm Fifth Season, said it has developed a raft of proprietary tech to fuel its strategy, with a single piece of software named Cinematic AI allowing image, video, sound and voice to be integrated.
The tool also automatically processes 3D characters and environments, while its AI Script system has been created to help discover original IP.
CJ ENM said the tool analyses consumer demand and market trends to spot potential IP, with the company claiming AI Script is squarely focused on an understanding of literary language, allowing for deeper analysis of content marketability with cross-lingual insights.
As part of the showcase, CJ ENM premiered Cat Biggie, a non-verbal short-form animation series created entirely in-house that was completed in five months, including content planning and character development.
A team of six specialists were used, the company said during its presentation at the CJ ENM Talent Studio in Seoul, contrasting that a typical five-minute 3D animation would ordinarily have taken three to four months to produce.
The story follows a cat who unexpectedly meets a baby chick and becomes its father. The series consists of 30 episodes, each two minutes in length, and will be released for global audiences on YouTube starting in July.
Baek Hyun-jung, head of AI business & production, led the planning and production of the series and the major challenge was controlling and expressing dynamic movements unique to animation.
“We used our tool, Cinematic AI, to convert the characters into 3D data and train the production system accordingly,” she said, adding that it “allowed us to achieve a high level of completeness in the final output.”
CJ ENM said it is now planning to further expand its production to AI film and AI drama, with shows to be launched by the end of 2025.
Shin Keun-sup, chief strategy officer at CJ ENM, added that the company is now using AI across all sectors, including planning, production, distribution and marketing.
“This allows us to secure next-generation IP,” said Shin. “At the same time, we’re nurturing a new generation of creators equipped with AI technology, business, and content planning expertise, and expanding our AI team to position CJ ENM as a global AI studio.”
CJ ENM has been investing widely over recent years including spending on local streamer Waave and picking up companies such as Fifth Season amid a push on global partnerships that has seen it working with the likes of Apple TV+ on its KPOPPED format.
Its Studio Dragon operation is also looking to produce formats for global buyers, while its LA-based arm recently hired Courteney Tarantin to head up scripted television amid a US focus.
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