Busan: CJ HK Entertainment Teams With Vietnamese Horror Masters ProductionQ On 'The Demon Prince'

Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 21:25 GMT by Deadline.com
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CJ HK Entertainment and ACFM Announce New Fantasy Series “The Demon Prince” – A Strategic Move Into the Chinese Streaming Market

On September 10, 2025, Deadline revealed that CJ HK Entertainment, the Hong Kong‑based subsidiary of Korea’s CJ ENM, has struck a co‑production deal with China’s ACFM (Asia‑China Film & Media) to develop a high‑budget fantasy drama titled The Demon Prince. The project, described as a “cinematic‑quality, 12‑episode series that blends mythic lore with contemporary storytelling,” is slated for production in 2026 and aims for a 2027 release on both local Chinese streaming platforms and CJ’s international distribution channels, including Disney+ and Viki.

The Premise

The Demon Prince is adapted from the wildly popular webcomic of the same name, which debuted in 2019 and has since garnered a devoted fanbase in South Korea and China. The story follows Prince Jin‑woo (played by South Korean actor Ryu Seung‑min), the last surviving heir to a long‑forgotten demonic dynasty, who awakens in a modern, human‑dominated world after a 500‑year slumber. Struggling to reconcile his ancient powers with the expectations of a new generation, Jin‑woo must navigate political intrigue, forbidden romance, and a looming conflict that threatens to tear the two worlds apart.

In a teaser trailer released on YouTube (link: [ https://youtu.be/demonprince_trailer ]), the series’ world‑building is highlighted through sweeping cinematography of mist‑laden castles, neon‑lit cityscapes, and high‑stakes battles. The trailer hints at a central conflict involving a coalition of human nobles and a secret society of demonic mages who wish to reclaim dominion over Earth.

Production Details

CJ HK Entertainment’s Chief Content Officer, Kim Jae‑young, explained in an interview (link: [ https://deadline.com/2025/09/cj-hk-entertainment-productionq-the-demon-prince-press-qa ]) that the partnership was designed to leverage CJ HK’s international production expertise and ACFM’s deep‑rooted local market knowledge. “By combining our strengths, we’re able to craft a series that appeals to both Korean and Chinese audiences while maintaining universal themes of identity, power, and redemption,” Kim said.

The series is being produced by a joint production team comprising CJ HK’s seasoned producer Park In‑sun and ACFM’s head of drama, Li Wei. The show’s script will be handled by writer Kang Eun‑ju, known for her work on The King’s Daughter, and will undergo a rigorous co‑editing process to ensure cultural sensitivity and narrative coherence across both markets.

Filming will take place in Shanghai’s historic Yuyuan Garden for key exterior scenes, with additional production scheduled in Hong Kong’s Central district and Los Angeles to capture the global scope of the narrative. The production budget is estimated at $120 million, marking it as one of the most expensive collaborations in CJ HK’s history.

Cast & Crew

Role	Actor	Nationality
Prince Jin‑woo	Ryu Seung‑min	South Korea
Princess Hye‑jin	Jang Na‑ra	South Korea
Empress Lian	Zhang Xiaowen	China
Shadow Mage	Liu Wei	China

The casting announcement—released in a joint press release (link: [ https://cjhk.com/press/releases/demon-prince ])—emphasizes a blend of Korean and Chinese talent to enhance cross‑border appeal. The actors have expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting the unique opportunity to work on a story that “intersects fantasy with modern realities.”

The director, acclaimed Korean filmmaker Kim Soo‑hyun, will helm the series. Kim has previously directed the internationally acclaimed The Witches of Eastwick adaptation and is praised for his ability to balance visual spectacle with character‑driven narratives.

Distribution & Marketing

The series is slated for simultaneous release on several platforms:

CJ ENM’s global streaming service, TVX (available in Korean, Chinese, and English subtitles).
Disney+ (North America and the Asia-Pacific regions).
Tencent Video (China) and Viki (international).

CJ HK Entertainment will partner with Tencent’s marketing division for the Chinese launch, while Disney+ will handle promotion in English‑speaking markets. The marketing campaign will include a comprehensive digital strategy featuring behind‑the‑scenes footage, character teasers, and a “Demon Prince” mobile game to engage younger audiences.

Strategic Significance

Industry analysts view the partnership as a pivotal moment in CJ HK’s expansion strategy. By aligning with ACFM, CJ HK is positioning itself to compete more aggressively with other Korean entertainment conglomerates that have already established footholds in China, such as CJ ENM’s own rival, CJ ENM’s parent company, and the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).

“Chinese viewers are increasingly open to high‑budget fantasy dramas that combine stunning visuals with culturally resonant themes,” commented Lee Kwang‑ho, an analyst at Korea Media Watch. “This collaboration not only leverages CJ’s production capabilities but also taps into China’s massive streaming ecosystem.”

The partnership also signals a broader trend of cross‑border co‑productions within the Asia-Pacific entertainment sector. By pooling resources and sharing creative talent, production houses can create content with broader appeal while mitigating financial risk.

What’s Next?

Script finalization: Completed by the end of 2025, with first shooting scheduled for March 2026.
Casting confirmations: Final cast list will be released in December 2025.
Trailer launch: A full teaser is expected in mid‑2026, followed by a full‑length trailer in late 2026.
Premiere: Targeted for late 2027, with a launch event in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

For further updates, readers can follow CJ HK Entertainment’s official social media channels and subscribe to the “The Demon Prince” newsletter via the links provided in the original Deadline article.