South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM has announced the launch of First Light StoryHouse, a groundbreaking new label specifically designed to support and develop content created by Asian filmmakers and storytellers. This innovative initiative represents a significant step forward in elevating Asian voices and narratives on the global entertainment stage.
First Light StoryHouse operates under CJ ENM's newly unveiled Asian Content Initiative, a comprehensive program aimed at bringing greater visibility and recognition to Asian creators in the international entertainment industry. The initiative seeks to address the historical underrepresentation of Asian perspectives in both Hollywood and the broader global entertainment landscape.
The project is being led by three prominent industry figures who will serve as founding partners. CJ Vice Chair Miky Lee, renowned producer and former Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Janet Yang, and East West Bank Chair and CEO Dominic Ng will jointly guide the label's vision and strategic direction. Their combined expertise spans entertainment production, industry leadership, and business development.
While the founding partners provide strategic oversight, CJ ENM will handle the day-to-day operations of the label. Jerry Kyoungboum Ko, who currently heads CJ ENM's global film business division, has been appointed to lead the management of First Light StoryHouse.
According to CJ ENM's official announcement, the label will strategically support and finance a diverse slate of film and scripted television projects that are led by Asian creative talent. These projects are expected to cover a wide range of genres, themes, and cultural perspectives, showcasing the rich diversity of Asian experiences both within the United States and around the world.
First Light StoryHouse will focus primarily on early-stage development, investing in and co-producing carefully selected titles with the ultimate goal of delivering market-ready projects that can compete on the global stage. Once the development phase is completed, the label plans to collaborate with established studios, production companies, and streaming platforms to bring these projects to audiences worldwide.
"Through high-quality film and scripted TV content that showcases the Asian diaspora, the label aims to elevate historically underrepresented perspectives in both Hollywood and the international entertainment industry," a CJ ENM representative explained in the official press release.
Miky Lee emphasized the importance of this initiative in her statement: "Recent successes from Asian storytellers have shown the potential and authenticity of their stories. Through this effort, we aim to spotlight these voices, believing in the power of storytelling to bridge cultures. Janet Yang and Dominic Ng have long championed this mission, and together, we are committed to empowering these stories on the global stage."
The launch of First Light StoryHouse aligns perfectly with CJ ENM's ongoing strategic push to expand the global reach and impact of Asian storytelling, building on a series of high-profile international successes. The company has a proven track record of distributing acclaimed films that have gained international recognition.
Notably, CJ ENM distributed Park Chan-wook's "Decision to Leave," which earned the prestigious Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. The company also distributed Bong Joon-ho's groundbreaking film "Parasite," which made history as the first non-English-language film to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes and later became the first non-English film to win Best Picture at the 2020 Academy Awards.
More recently, "Past Lives," which was co-distributed and co-financed by CJ ENM in partnership with A24, received critical acclaim and earned nominations for both Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 2024 Academy Awards, further demonstrating the global appeal of Asian-centered narratives.
CJ ENM continues to expand its international presence with several highly anticipated upcoming projects. These include "Bugonia," an English-language remake of the South Korean cult classic "Save the Green Planet!" The remake will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and will star Emma Stone. Additionally, the company is working on "No Other Choice," a new film from celebrated director Park Chan-wook that will feature prominent Korean actors Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin.
This new venture represents CJ ENM's commitment to fostering diverse storytelling and ensuring that Asian creators have the resources and platform they need to share their unique perspectives with global audiences.
