Imaginus () is a South Korean drama and film production company. It was established in December 2021 by Choi Jin-hee, the former CEO of Studio Dragon. Headquartered in Seoul, Imaginus has quickly become a prominent player in the entertainment industry, attracting significant investments from companies like J&Private Equity (J&PE) and . The company is a creator collective that operates with multiple subsidiary labels and has produced notable projects like Coupang Play original series Cinderella at 2 AM, Disney+ original series Tempest, and Netflix original series Can This Love Be Translated?.
History Imaginus was established on December 15, 2021, by Choi Jin-hee, former CEO of Studio Dragon, following her departure from her position in CJ ENM in November. Initially capitalized at , Imaginus attracted investment of from J&Private Equity (J&PE) on December 8. According to an industry official, J&PE's investment in Imaginus was made at a corporate value of around . It is said that the follow-up investment aims to increase the corporate value to .
In August 2022, Choi, representing Imaginus, was recognized as one of "Korea's 100 female startup leaders" by Hankyung Geeks and Startup Alliance. The selection was based on factors such as cumulative investment amount, experience, and industry. The list showcased the top female startup representatives in 10 different industries, including Education, Fashion & Beauty, E-commerce, Finance & Insurance, Healthcare, Living & Space, Food Tech, Content & Social, Leisure & Travel, and Advertising & Marketing. Choi ranked first in the Content & Social category and 9th overall.
Imaginus first work is Cinderella at 2 AM, a drama based on the web novel of the same name by Aigome. It depicts the love story of an ordinary woman who prioritizes protecting herself and a third-generation chaebol man who believes that protecting love is protecting himself. It was selected by KOCCA in April 2023 as one of the 27 projects to receive support from the '2023 Online Video Service (OTT) Specialized Content Production Support Project'. Studio Aljja was working on this project. The drama was written by Oh Eun-ji, co-directed by Seo Min-jung and Bae Hee-young, and starred Shin Hyun-been and Moon Sang-min. The series aired on Coupang Play from August 24 to September 22, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST). It was also broadcast on Channel A on the same day and is available for streaming on Viu and Viki in selected regions.
In October, Imaginus was selected as one of 13 companies for KOCCA's Global Leap Support Project. They participated in MIPCOM, the world's largest broadcasting and video content market in Cannes, France from October 16 to 19, where the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KOCCA set up the largest-ever Korean pavilion to promote K-content. According to KOCCA, the event attracted over 1,500 exhibitors and 3,500 buyers from 108 countries. The Korean pavilion generated export consultation amounts of USD 468.34 million (approximately around ) through 750 consultations over four days.
Imaginus has upcoming projects in the pipeline. In development is melodrama Tempest, which is being produced by Showrunner and Studio AA. Prior to that, in March 2023, it was reported that director Kim Hee-won and writer Jeong Seo-kyeong, who previously collaborated on Little Woman, joined forces again for Tempest. Jun Ji-hyun being offered the female lead role opposite Gang Dong-won. Additionally, Trii Studio label is preparing for romantic comedy Can This Love Be Translated? created by the writer team led by the Hong sisters at Studio Sot, and directed by Yoo Young-eun.
Imaginus received the 10 Million Dollar Export Tower Award at the 61st Trade Day in December 2024.
Imaginus was one of eight companies that joined "Series on Board: Bangkok," which took place in Bangkok, Thailand from July 23 to 24. The event aimed to expand joint development and production in the Southeast Asian market. They networked with 36 major Thai broadcasting and online platforms. This event was part of the "Series on Board" events hosted by The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency. It was previously held in Seoul, Tokyo, and Osaka.
In August 2025, it was reported that Imaginus has begun preparations for its initial public offering (IPO). According to industry sources, on September 3, Imaginus signed a lead underwriter contract with NH Investment & Securities last month at its headquarters.
Related company
Subsidiaries (Labels) Production Labels In March 2024, Ryu Hyung-jin, the vice president of Imaginus, shared details about ten labels under Imaginus and their respective leaders in an exclusive interview with Cine21.
The labels included:
Studio Sot () Writer's studio led by the Hong Sisters Showrunners () A content production house that includes directors , Kim Hee-won, Choi Jeong-gyu, Producer Song Kyung-hwa, and Producer Park Ju-yeon Alzza Studio () Director 's production house specializing in romantic comedies. Studio AA () Co-led actor/producer Gang Dong-won and producer Lee Eun. Trii Studio () Led by producer , with director Lee Na-jeong and Lee Yoon-jung. H House () A mystery genre production house led by director , who is known for directing drama Warrior Baek Dong-soo, Pied Piper, Black, and Voice (Season 1). About Film () The production company behind the film Extreme Job, led by Kim Seong-hwan. Studio PIC () Led by ex-SLL Chief Producer (CP) Jo Jun-hyung. Creators: Park Sang-eok, Im Byeong-eun Hips () Sunny Park () A short dramas-specialized production house, led by Joo Sun.
Others Cafe The Brave () A coffee shop based in Seoul's Itaewon area.
Joint venture In the summer of 2023, Choi collaborated with Hwang Ji-young and Kim Hee-won to establish Studio Abit. Hwang Ji-young is a renowned entertainment show director, recognized for her work on MBC's I Live Alone from 2017 to 2021, which earned her accolades such as the 2018 Korean Broadcasting Awards Producer Award and the 2020 MBC Special Achievement Award. Her last MBC project was With the Silk of Dohpo Flying in Denmark. Hwang oversees the entertainment department at Studio Abit, while director Kim Hee-won, known for directing Little Women and Vincenzo, oversees the drama department.
Studio Abit was established as a joint venture between Imaginus and Innocean, an advertising production house affiliated with Hyundai Motor. The studio's primary focus is commercial content, including entertainment shows, dramas, and films. The signing ceremony for Studio Abit took place on August 7 at Innocean's Seoul headquarters, with key executives in attendance, including Innocean CEO Lee Yong-woo, Imaginus CEO Choi Jin-hee, and Studio Abit CEO Hwang Ji-young.
Shareholders In December 2023, Imaginus attracted an investment of ₩50 billion from J&Private Equity (J&PE). At the time, J&PE's investment valued the company at approximately ₩200 billion. The 2024 audit report shows that Imaginus's largest shareholder is CEO Choi's private company, HEA Company (58.85%). J&PE also holds shares through two investment partnerships: the 'J&P 1st Private Equity Investment Partnership' (5.62%) and the 'NH-J&-IBKC Label New Technology Association' (13.11%).
In May 2025, , a subsidiary of the , reported its plan to acquire a 10.3% stake in Imaginus for ₩36.8 billion. This transaction, based on Imaginus's total of 2,673,622 issued shares, valued the company at approximately ₩360 billion. An industry official noted that Contentree JoongAng's entry as a new financial investor at the end of August 2025 is expected to slightly change the shareholding structure.
Partnership In 2023, Imaginus' Choi signed a strategic partnership with Myriagon Studio. Myriagon Studio, formerly known as Origamix Partners Inc, is a management company led by Shinsuke Sato, renowned for his original Netflix series Alice In Borderland. The rebranding took place following the acquisition of Origamix Partners Inc by Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Starting from June 1, 2023, Choi appointed as Executive Advisor at Myriagon Studio in order to help establish a formidable Asian premium production network.
On March 21, 2024, Imaginus' Choi and Adam Burke, the director of the Los Angeles Tourism Office, signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on producing a Korean drama set in Los Angeles and promoting the city as a global tourism destination. This marked the first time a U.S. city tourism office has entered into an agreement for content production, and established a three-year partnership. In November 2024, Imaginus' Choi also signed a content joint development partnership with Japan's Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC TV) to develop Japanese dramas combining Korean and Japanese production expertise.
In May 2025, Tsai Chia-chun, the director of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency, flew to Seoul and signed a memorandum of understanding with Imaginus' Choi. The agreement is for a two-year collaboration on a series co-development. The two parties will invite Taiwanese creators to partner with the Imaginus team to create three original streaming series. The series will focus on romance and be developed for the worldwide market.
Production works
Imaginus +Drama credits of Imaginus and its subsidiariesYearTitleNetworkCredited as English Korean Director Screenwriter Producer 2024 Cinderella at 2 AM 새벽 두 시의 신데렐라 Coupang Play Oh Eun-ji ImaginusStudio AljjaStudio PIC 2025Tempest북극성Disney+Kim Hee-wonJeong Seo-kyeong ImaginusShowrunnerStudio AA Typhoon Family 태풍상사 tvN Lee Na-jeong Studio DragonImaginusStudio TriiStudio PIC 2026 Can This Love Be Translated? Netflix Yoo Young-eun Hong sistersStudio Sot ImaginusTrii Studio The East Palace Choi Jeong-gyu Kwon So-raSeo Jae-won ImaginusShowrunner 천천히 강렬하게 Lee Yoon-jung Noh Hee-kyung Studio DragonGTistImaginus 2027 그랜드 갤럭시 호텔 Oh Chung-hwan Hong sistersStudio Sot Imaginus 혼 TBD Kim Won-seok Park Ji-eun
Subsidiaries Production Works About Film +Production Works of About FilmYearTitleCredited asEnglishKoreanDirectorScreenwriterProducer 2019 Extreme Job 극한직업 Lee Byeong-heon Bae Se-young 2020 Secret Zoo 해치지않아 Son Jae-gon 2021 What Happened to Mr. Cha? 차인표 Kim Dong-gyu Kim Dong-gyu 2022 The Anchor 앵커 2025 Sua's Home 캐리어를 끄는 소녀 Yun Sim-kyoung Yun Sim-kyoung About Film 2026 Wild Sing 와일드 씽 Son Jae-gon Son Jae-gon About Film 안아줘 Kim Bo-ra Kim Bo-ra About Film
H House +Drama credits of H HouseYearTitleNetworkCredited asEnglishKoreanDirectorScreenwriterProducer 2020 Tell Me What You Saw 본 대로 말하라 OCN H House 2021 L.U.C.A.: The Beginning 루카: 더 비기닝 tvN Cheon Seon-il 2023 미끼 Coupang Play Kim Jin-wook 2025Dear Hongrang 탄금Netflix Kim Jin-ah 2026 들쥐 Lee Jae-gon
Showrunners +Drama credits of ShowrunnersYearTitleNetworkCredited asEnglishKoreanDirectorScreenwriterProducer2024Queen of Tears눈물의 여왕tvN Park Ji-eun Love, Take Two 첫, 사랑을 위하여 Yoo Je-wonHam Seung-hun Sung Woo-jin
Studio PIC +Drama credits of Studio PICYearTitleNetworkCredited asEnglishKoreanDirectorScreenwriterProducer 2026 Positively Yours 아기가 생겼어요 Channel A Kim Jin-sung So Hae-won
Trii Studio +Drama credits of Trii StudioYearTitleNetworkCredited asEnglishKoreanDirectorScreenwriterProducer 2025Ms. Incognito착한 여자 부세미ENAPark Yoo-youngHyun Kyu-ri
Accolades
State honors +Name of the organization, year presented, and the award givenCountryAward bodyYearAward South Korea Trade Day 2024 10 Million Dollar Export Tower Award 2025 30 Million Dollar Export Tower Award
Listicles +Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placementPublisherYearListiclePlacementCine21 2024 Production Companies to Watch 2026 Forbes Korea 2025 50 Fastest-growing Startups in Korea by 2025
Notes
References
External links
Imaginus at KOCCA WelCon