In Seo Yeo, '26, Economics, Intern at CJ ENM in Korea, Summer 2025
From Seoul to Screen: Lessons at CJ ENM
My summer with the KI Internship Program at CJ ENM was eye-opening. The experience gave me a first-hand look at how a major studio develops and evaluates projects. Working inside the U.S. Film Production and Development Department, I saw how ideas move from scripts or IPs to actual projects, and how producing and distribution decisions shape what eventually reaches audiences. As someone who hopes to build a career on the creative side, this perspective helped me understand the bigger picture of the industry and made me more aware of the many roles beyond writing and directing that are essential to bringing a film to life.
My main tasks included reviewing and writing coverage on IPs, scripts, and books, researching industry trends and companies, and sourcing potential projects. I also had the chance to pitch original ideas. While my long-term goal is to focus on creative work, this summer showed me how important it is to understand the full process—producing, distribution, and market evaluation. Seeing how projects move from concept to development gave me a more rounded view of how the industry actually operates.
Day-to-day life was steady and structured. Most days I spent reading, writing reports, or preparing materials. Lunch breaks with the team, small celebrations, and occasional department meetings gave me a glimpse of the company culture. Compared to my past work experiences, people here were less verbal and more reserved. At first, this felt unfamiliar, but it gave me a realistic view of corporate Korea and how communication often happens more indirectly. Because CJ is a Korean company, Korean naturally played a central role in the workplace. Internal documents, reports, and casual conversations were primarily in Korean, even though my department focused on U.S. films. Switching between languages wasn’t difficult for me, but it highlighted how deeply rooted Korean is in the company’s professional environment.
One of the most memorable moments was pitching my original IP to industry professionals. Getting direct feedback from people behind some of Korea’s most successful international films was invaluable. It also made me realize how much more I need to learn about creative works to be able to bring strong, well-informed ideas to the table. That experience pushed me to think not only about generating ideas but also about developing the depth of knowledge needed to defend and refine them. Another meaningful part of the summer was connecting with one of the other interns, who had been officially hired by CJ ENM. Talking with someone just beginning their career was motivating and gave me a clearer picture of what the transition from student to professional might look like. It also reinforced how important networking is. In entertainment, conversations often revolve around directors, films, or current projects, and to join in meaningfully you need to know a lot. Networking isn’t just about meeting people—it’s about having something substantive to contribute. This made me realize that I need to keep learning broadly so I can engage more deeply.
Overall, this internship gave me more than just professional skills—it gave me perspective. I left with a deeper understanding of how the entertainment industry operates behind the scenes, a clearer view of corporate culture in Korea, and a better sense of what I need to work on as I prepare for a career as a creative. It wasn’t always dynamic or expressive, but it was real, and it pushed me to grow.