Korea’s CJ ENM teams up with Masked Singer creator Park for talent show

My Boyfriend is Better will air on Mnet

South Korean television company CJ ENM has partnered with Masked Singer creator Won-woo Park to launch talent format My Boyfriend is Better on CJ-owned channel Mnet this month.

The music entertainment format features various boyfriends facing off in a singing competition as part of a strategic betting game orchestrated by their girlfriends. The girlfriends ultimately face the dilemma of betting on their own boyfriend to win or one of their rivals.

“Everyone feels love, jealousy and gets greedy for money,” said Park, explaining the format. “We collected these emotions and mixed them as a studio show. I’m excited that the show, in preparation ever since 2019, is now in production with CJ ENM with increased level of variety applied to many facets of the show.

“Elements like competition, thrills and love for singing are the ingredients for a good music format. But there are two more ingredients in this format that makes a big difference: the snackable easiness and comedy. I’m sure that the audiences will digest the show easily and laugh out loud.”

CJ ENM, which has led the charge of K-format exports with hits like I Can See Your Voice, will be distributing the new format internationally, starting at MipTV next month.

“With touching songs and heartless games, My Boyfriend is Better, as a singing battle money gameshow, is expected to provide a variety of fun including the joy of discovering hidden talents,” said Diane Min, head of format sales at CJ ENM.

Regarding the boom in K-formats, Park added: “Korean creators are now starting to target the global market and the market is offering good deals to them. Moreover, now that the creation of much more spectacular TV shows is possible with the overseas capital, I believe hit K-formats that succeed I Can See Your Voice and The Masked Singer will definitely come out.”

In related news, I Can See Your Voice continues to roll out international versions with the latest being a Portuguese adaptation. Broadcaster SIC will launch the show this year, as a part of the channel’s 30th anniversary celebrations, hosted by Cláudia Vieira. The Portuguese show will comprise six episodes.