Disney+ has made a strategic power move in Japan’s highly competitive streaming market by forging a landmark multi-year content partnership with South Korea’s entertainment giant CJ ENM. The deal, announced November 3, 2025, positions Disney+ Japan as the exclusive local home for up to 60 of TVING’s premium Korean drama originals and CJ ENM’s most popular series. This partnership marks TVING’s debut in Japan and represents a significant cross-border expansion for both companies as they challenge Netflix’s dominance in Asia-Pacific’s most valuable streaming market. Starting November 5, 2025, Japanese audiences will gain access to beloved Korean hits and brand-new exclusive content, fundamentally reshaping the competitive landscape of streaming in Japan.
A Strategic Move to Challenge Netflix’s Dominance
Announcement Date: November 3, 2025 (Tokyo) | Content Rollout Begins: November 5, 2025 | Type of Deal: Multi-year exclusive partnership
The partnership between Disney+ Japan and CJ ENM represents one of the most significant content strategies executed by Disney+ in Asia-Pacific in recent years. Disney+ Japan managing director Tamotsu Hiiro stated: “As we commemorate five years of Disney+ in Japan, we are dedicated to broadening our content selections to mirror the varied tastes of our viewers. This partnership with CJ ENM and TVING represents a crucial advancement in that mission. By merging the engaging Korean narratives from CJ ENM and TVING with Disney+’s exceptional compilation of global blockbusters and local favorites, we are crafting a more enriching viewing experience for audiences across all age groups.”
This collaboration directly challenges Netflix’s long-standing dominance in Japan’s streaming market and signals Disney+’s commitment to competing in Asia-Pacific’s most valuable streaming territory. By securing exclusive access to TVING’s premium content, Disney+ Japan gains a distinctive content advantage that Netflix cannot replicate, as TVING’s originals are now exclusively available on Disney+ in the Japanese market.
CJ ENM: Korea’s Entertainment Giant
CJ ENM is South Korea’s largest entertainment conglomerate and the parent company of TVING, the nation’s leading streaming platform. The company has become a global force in Korean content production, generating hit dramas that dominate streaming platforms worldwide. CJ ENM’s portfolio includes some of the most acclaimed and commercially successful Korean dramas of recent years. The company has demonstrated its commitment to expanding Korean content globally, with strategic partnerships spanning major streaming platforms and international broadcasters.
Through this Japan partnership, CJ ENM accomplishes a critical objective: establishing TVING’s presence in a major Asian market for the first time. Japan represents an essential target for Korean content expansion, given its massive streaming audience and demonstrated appetite for high-quality Korean dramas. The deal also enhances CJ ENM’s global expansion strategy by positioning its content directly with a major Hollywood studio’s platform.
Featured TVING and CJ ENM Shows Coming to Disney+ Japan
Premiering November 6, 2025:
Dear X — This psychological thriller represents the flagship title for the Disney+ Japan and CJ ENM partnership. Starring Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae, and Kim Do-hoon, Dear X will stream exclusively on Disney+ Japan starting November 6, in a simultaneous day-and-date release with its Korean debut on TVING. The series explores complex psychological themes and dangerous relationships, making it essential viewing for thriller enthusiasts. This exclusive simultaneous release underscores Disney+’s premium positioning within the partnership.
All-Time Classics in the Library (Available from November 5):
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God — Also known as Goblin, this supernatural fantasy romance became a global phenomenon upon its release. The series showcases the chemistry between leads Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun as they navigate centuries of destiny and love. The show’s visual effects, emotional storytelling, and groundbreaking fantasy concepts made it a cultural sensation that influenced how supernatural dramas are produced globally.
Reply 1988 — This beloved comedy-drama has achieved cult classic status since its 2015 release. Set in 1988 Seoul during the height of the Cold War Olympics, the series follows a group of friends navigating adolescence and young adulthood. Known for its nostalgia-inducing storytelling, complex character relationships, and perfect blend of humor and heart, Reply 1988 became the most-watched Korean drama in Korean television history when it aired. It remains perpetually rewatchable and continues attracting new audiences worldwide.
Additional November 2025 Releases on Disney+ Japan:
The Manipulated (November 5) — This action thriller featuring Ji Chang Wook and Do Kyung Soo combines high-stakes crime storytelling with sophisticated character work. The series explores corruption, power, and moral complexity through interconnected plots.
Additional CJ ENM Originals: Beyond the featured titles, Disney+ Japan will gain access to approximately 60 TVING originals and CJ ENM series spanning multiple genres including romance, thriller, action, comedy, and historical drama. The partnership includes sequentially released content as TVING continues producing new originals.
Where to Watch: Disney+ Japan Dedicated Hubs
Primary Platform: Disney+ Japan (Exclusive) | Availability: All Disney+ subscription tiers in Japan
To facilitate easy discovery and navigation of the new Korean content, Disney+ Japan has introduced two dedicated features:
TVING Highlights: A curated homepage section showcasing recommended Korean dramas from the partnership. This prominently positioned feature appears alongside Disney+’s global franchise tentpoles, blockbuster hits, and premium original series, ensuring Korean content receives top visibility. The section features rotating selections of the most critically acclaimed and audience-favorite titles.
TVING Collection: A branded hub specifically aggregating all CJ ENM and TVING content available on Disney+ Japan. This consolidated collection enables subscribers to browse the entire Korean content library in one location, with genre-specific organization and curation of leading titles. The collection will expand continuously as new content is added.
Subscription Requirements: All TVING content on Disney+ Japan is included with active Disney+ subscriptions. No additional fee is required. The content is available on all subscription tiers (with or without ads, depending on the tier selected).
Market Implications and Netflix Competition
This partnership arrives as streaming competition in Japan intensifies significantly. Netflix has dominated Japan’s streaming market for years, leveraging its global content library and early mover advantage. However, Japan’s streaming landscape is undergoing fundamental transformation as competitors introduce differentiated content strategies. By securing exclusive access to TVING’s premium Korean content—currently available only on Netflix in Japan through select titles—Disney+ creates a compelling reason for Japanese audiences to subscribe or maintain subscriptions.
Japan represents Asia-Pacific’s most economically valuable streaming market, making it strategically critical for both Disney+ and Netflix. The addition of 60+ exclusive Korean dramas fundamentally repositions Disney+ Japan’s competitive standing. Korean content has demonstrated exceptional appeal to Japanese audiences, with TVING and CJ ENM originals consistently topping Japanese streaming charts. This partnership enables Disney+ to directly compete for the K-drama audience segment that Netflix has relied upon for subscriber growth.
Strategic Significance for All Parties
For Disney+: The deal strengthens its regional content strategy and provides differentiated content that separates it from Netflix in a crucial market. The exclusive partnership positions Disney+ as the premier destination for Korean content in Japan.
For CJ ENM and TVING: The partnership represents a major milestone in global expansion. Entering Japan through a partnership with Disney+ validates TVING’s content quality and provides access to a massive, sophisticated audience. This deal positions CJ ENM as a truly global entertainment force.
For Japanese audiences: The partnership delivers unprecedented access to Korean content, including exclusive simultaneous releases with Korean premieres. Japanese viewers gain a comprehensive Korean drama library spanning decades of production, creating value that justifies Disney+ subscriptions.
Looking Ahead
The Disney+ Japan and CJ ENM partnership signals a broader trend: streaming platforms increasingly view exclusive content partnerships as essential competitive weapons. Rather than competing solely on original productions, platforms differentiate through exclusive access to third-party content. This partnership establishes a template for how streaming giants can leverage regional entertainment powerhouses to compete in high-value markets. Expect similar strategic partnerships to emerge across Asia-Pacific as streaming competition intensifies.
