‘Couple Palace’ makes history as CJ ENM scores first Korean Gold win at Venice TV Awards

CJ ENM has broken new ground at the Venice TV Awards 2025, becoming the first Korean entertainment company to take home a Gold Trophy at the international ceremony.

The company’s music channel Mnet program “Couple Palace” claimed the Light Entertainment category, while three additional CJ ENM titles earned nominations across multiple genres.

While Korea has had nominees at the Venice TV Awards in previous years, this represents the first time Korean television content has claimed a Gold Trophy at the ceremony.

The show, created and produced by Lee Sun-young and Jeong Min-seok — the acclaimed duo behind global format hits “I Can See Your Voice” and “Love Catcher” — explores contemporary marriage themes through an innovative reality format.

“We wanted to create something unique around the theme of marriage in today’s world, and we’re very pleased that our efforts have been recognized,” the creators said in a statement. “We put a lot of thought and effort into presenting real marriage issues through a fresh format, and we’re deeply grateful that the authenticity and creativity of our approach has been so well received.”

Beyond the Gold win, CJ ENM secured three additional nominations: TVING Original series “LTNS” in the Comedy category, “Pyramid Game” (produced by CJ ENM Studios) for Direction, and “Marry My Husband” (produced by Studio Dragon, available on Prime Video) for Best Soap/Telenovela.

“CJ ENM is proud to be recognized at the Venice TV Awards,” said Jang-ho Seo, executive VP of content business at CJ ENM. “Winning the Light Entertainment category for ‘Couple Palace’ showcases our leadership in entertainment shows, especially in dating formats. The nominations for ‘LTNS,’ ‘Marry My Husband,’ and ‘Pyramid Game’ further demonstrate our excellence in series across diverse genres.”

Carlo Arturo Sigon, director and president of the Italian Directors Guild, added: “It’s often a cliché on TV, but every time I find something unusual, it’s like fresh air.”

The achievement comes as CJ ENM celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025.

The company has built a diverse portfolio spanning Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” Tony Award-winning musicals like “Kinky Boots,” hit series including “Queen of Tears,” and the globally successful competition show “I Can See Your Voice.”

2025 Venice TV Awards Winners:

• TV Series: “Empathy” (Crave, Canada)


• Documentary: “The Man Who Definitely Didn’t Steal Hollywood” (BBC, U.K.)


• Comedy: “Ludwig” (BBC One, U.K.)


• TV Film: “Driving into the Storm” (NHK BS4K, Japan)


• News Coverage: “The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell: Reporting From the Red Sea” (CBS News, U.S.)


• Technology/Innovation: “8 May 1945” (TF1, France)


• Performing Arts: “The Lost Music of Auschwitz” (Sky Arts, U.K.)


• Children/Youth: “Crongton” (BBC, U.K.)


• Cross Platform Programming: “Peacock 2024 Paris Olympic Games” (NBC Peacock, U.S.)


• Reality TV: “Farmers Going Abroad” (SBS6, Netherlands)


• Branded Entertainment: “RONA’s Build it to Win it” (Bell Media/Noovo, Canada)


• Soap/Telenovela: “The Last Will” (SIC, Portugal)


• Light Entertainment: “Couple Palace” (Mnet, South Korea) – CJ ENM


• Sport: “Giroud” (Canal+, France)


• Program Promotion: “We Rise as We Fight” (TV Globo, Brazil)


• Animation: “Luka and the Flower of the Sun” (NHK ETV, Japan)


• Cinematography: “Deep Ocean: Kingdom of the Coelacanth” (NHK BS8K, Japan)


• Direction: “Queen of Fucking Everything” (YLE, Finland)


• New Talent: “If I could fly” (Germany)


• Special Documentary Prize: “Atomic People” (BBC, U.K.)

Source: Variety