CJ ENM’s Diane Min elected chair of Korean Format Alliance as Jin Woo Hwang steps down to focus on Something Special

Diane Min, left and Jin Woo Hwang

CJ ENM executive Diane Min has been elected as the new chair of the Korean Format Alliance (KFA), with The Masked Singer creator Wonwoo Park to serve as vice chair.

Min’s appointment comes as former chair Jin Woo Hwang stepped down to focus on his role as founder and president of South Korean outfit Something Special.

Min has been head of format sales at Seoul-based entertainment company CJ ENM for almost 14 years, previously serving as global business development manager for the company.

Prior to that she was a programmer at Cartoon Network between 2006 and 2010.

Park created hit international format The Masked Singer. As the founder and CEO of Korean-based DiTurn, he has developed formats such as music entertainment shows 100 and Lotto Singer, and game show Round Table.

Founded in 2016, the KFA is organised by Korean cultural agency KOCCA and is comprised of broadcast and production companies such as CJ ENM, DiTurn, Something Special, KBS and IMTV.

Woo Hwang was appointed chairman in late 2021, taking over the role from Il Joong Kim. His brief was to promote domestic format development, protect Korean format rights in global markets and reinforce international collaboration.

Announcing his decision to step down on LinkedIn, Hwang said: “I believe I have worked my best to be a diplomatic and guiding light for the Korean formats industry.

“From now on, I will be focusing more on Something Special and on the part that I have always loved the most: creative.

“I want to thank KOCCA for allowing me to have such a wonderful opportunity and to all the partners supporting Korean formats.

“Korean formats will always be unique and special to international viewers. And with me, all the players will continue to guide you to discover the undiscovered gems.”