CJ Group
South Korean conglomerate whose businesses span food and food service, biotechnology, logistics, retail, entertainment and media.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
CJ Group is a South Korean conglomerate headquartered in Seoul and organized around CJ Corporation, a holding company that coordinates a broad portfolio of operating affiliates. Its principal activities are food and food service, biotechnology, logistics and retail, and entertainment and media. The group operates internationally and is one of South Korea’s major chaebol, although its corporate history began as a manufacturing business within Samsung Group rather than as a diversified conglomerate. The organization originated in August 1953 as CheilJedang, a sugar and flour manufacturer and Samsung’s first manufacturing business. The name CJ derives from CheilJedang, commonly translated as “first sugar manufacture,” reflecting the company’s original sugar-making activity. Early development included the opening of a flour mill, exports of sugar to Japan, the Beksul food brand, seasoning products, animal feed, cooking oil and mass-produced nucleic-acid seasonings. During the 1980s, the business expanded into processed foods, beverages, frozen foods and biotechnology, while beginning to establish international operations and manufacturing capacity. CheilJedang became independently managed after its 1993 spin-off from Samsung and completed its formal separation from the Samsung Group in 1997. This transition marked a broader strategic shift from food and bio-manufacturing toward what the company described as a life-and-culture business. CJ entered food service, cinema, cable television, music, home shopping, logistics and other consumer-facing sectors through acquisitions, joint ventures and newly created affiliates. The CGV multiplex chain and VIPS restaurant brand became visible examples of this diversification, while Mnet and later CJ E&M gave the group a major role in Korean popular culture. In 2002, the group adopted the CJ Group name, and in 2007 CJ Corporation was reorganized as a business holding company. Its major affiliates now include CJ CheilJedang in food and bio, CJ Logistics in logistics, CJ Olive Young in health and beauty retail, CJ ENM in entertainment, media and commerce, and CJ CGV in cinema. Other important businesses and brands associated with the group include CJ Foodville, TOUS les JOURS, VIPS, CJ Freshway, CJ Feed & Care, CJ Bioscience, TVING and Studio Dragon. CJ’s international strategy has combined acquisitions, local manufacturing and the export of Korean brands and cultural content. CJ CheilJedang expanded its frozen-food platform in North America through the acquisitions of Kahiki Foods and Schwan’s Company, while the bibigo brand became a principal vehicle for global Korean food distribution. CJ Logistics expanded through acquisitions and local operations in Asia, the United States and elsewhere. CJ Olive Young has become an influential retail and distribution channel for Korean cosmetics, particularly among international visitors and overseas consumers. The group has also been a prominent commercial force behind Hallyu, or the Korean Wave. CJ-related businesses have produced and distributed television programs, films, music programming and live cultural events. The MAMA Awards and KCON helped connect Korean pop music with international audiences, while CJ’s film and television businesses were involved in internationally recognized Korean content, including the film Parasite. Through its combination of consumer brands, distribution infrastructure and cultural properties, CJ Group positions itself as a platform connecting Korean food, beauty and entertainment with global markets. CJ remains associated with the Lee family and retains family ties to Samsung. Its history has included high-profile governance and legal controversies, including a public inheritance dispute within the Lee family and the 2013 arrest and 2014 conviction of chairman Lee Jay-hyun for tax evasion and embezzlement. He received a presidential pardon in 2016 and resumed management duties in 2017. The group subsequently accele…
History
CJ Group began in August 1953 as CheilJedang, a sugar and flour manufacturer established within Samsung Group. It represented Samsung’s first manufacturing venture. The early company developed a flour mill, exported sugar to Okinawa in 1962, introduced the Beksul brand for sugar and related food products, and entered seasonings, feed and cooking oil. Its food-manufacturing base expanded through products such as Dashida and nucleic-acid seasoning, while the business gradually acquired the technical capabilities that later supported its biotechnology division. During the 1980s, CheilJedang broadened its portfolio into beverages, frozen foods and biotechnology. It established an American subsidiary through a joint venture, developed alpha-interferon and a hepatitis vaccine, and began building overseas manufacturing capacity. Operations in Indonesia and later facilities for MSG and lysine signaled a move from a primarily domestic food manufacturer toward an international food-ingredient and bio business. The decisive corporate transition came in the 1990s. CheilJedang was spun off from Samsung in 1993, became CheilJedang Group in 1996 and completed its formal separation in February 1997. At the same time, it entered food service, media, entertainment, logistics, home shopping and finance. The group opened VIPS, helped establish the CGV cinema chain, acquired or developed businesses connected with Mnet, CJ Internet and home shopping, and created logistics operations that later became part of CJ Logistics. Products such as the hangover beverage Condition and aseptic packaged rice Hetbahn strengthened the consumer-food portfolio. The CJ Group name was adopted in 2002. In 2007, CJ Corporation was reorganized as a business holding company overseeing food, bio, logistics and retail, and entertainment and media affiliates. This structure enabled the group to manage a portfolio that included CJ CheilJedang, CJ Foodville, CJ Logistics, CJ Olive Young, CJ ENM and CJ CGV. CJ’s media operations became increasingly important: CJ Media, CJ Entertainment, Mnet Media, On-Media and CJ Internet were consolidated into O Media Holdings in 2010, which became CJ E&M in 2011. CJ’s cultural businesses helped commercialize and internationalize Hallyu. Its television, music and film activities produced or distributed popular Korean programs and movies, while the MAMA Awards and KCON connected Korean music with audiences outside Korea. Cinema operations developed the “cultureplex” concept by combining theaters with restaurants, shops and performance or cultural facilities. The group’s involvement in internationally recognized content, including Parasite, reinforced its position at the intersection of Korean entertainment and global media. After Lee Jay-hyun resumed management duties in 2017, CJ pursued restructuring and overseas growth. CJ CheilJedang consolidated its business divisions into food and bio groupings, acquired Selecta in Brazil, and later acquired Kahiki Foods and Schwan’s Company in the United States. CJ Healthcare was sold to Kolmar Korea. CJ ENM was created through the 2018 merger of CJ E&M and CJ O Shopping. CJ Logistics expanded through businesses and acquisitions in Vietnam, the United States and other markets, while CJ Olive Young became a prominent channel for Korean health, beauty and cosmetics brands. The group’s current development strategy combines international manufacturing and distribution with the export of Korean lifestyle content. bibigo is a leading vehicle for global food expansion; CJ Logistics provides international supply-chain infrastructure; Olive Young supports K-beauty discovery and distribution; and CJ ENM, TVING, Studio Dragon, CJ CGV, KCON and MAMA extend CJ’s entertainment ecosystem. The group has also continued to divest or restructure selected businesses, including finance, beverages and certain restaurant and media assets. Its history is consequently defined by transformation: from sugar and flour production, through food and biotechnology, into a diversified global conglomerate built around food, culture, commerce and logistics.
- 2025
Olive Young restructuring speculation is reported
[4]Market reports discuss possible changes involving CJ Olive Young and CJ Corporation, including a potential listing; reported merger speculation is denied.
- 2021
Endeavor Content acquisition
[1]CJ ENM acquires Endeavor Content, later rebranding the business as Fifth Season.
- 2019
Schwan’s acquisition
[1]CJ CheilJedang acquires Schwan’s Company to strengthen its North American food platform.
- 2018
CJ ENM is created
[1]CJ E&M and CJ O Shopping merge to create CJ ENM.
- 2018
CJ ENM is formed through corporate integration
[3]CJ’s entertainment and commerce activities are brought together under the CJ ENM structure.
- 2017
Restructuring and global expansion accelerate
[1]Following Lee Jay-hyun’s return to management, CJ reorganizes businesses and increases international expansion.
- 2012
KCON launches in Los Angeles
[1]CJ introduces KCON, combining K-pop performances with Korean cultural programming.
- 2011
CJ E&M is formed
[1]Several media and entertainment operations are combined into CJ E&M.
- 2002
CJ Group name adopted
[1]The organization formally adopts the CJ Group identity.
- 1998
CGV multiplex launches
[1]CJ launches South Korea’s first multiplex cinema through CGV.
Products and positioning
A Korean-origin global lifestyle and culture conglomerate linking food, biotechnology, logistics, retail, entertainment and media. CJ emphasizes the international distribution of Korean consumer products and cultural content while maintaining large domestic operating businesses. A Korean global lifestyle and consumer-platform group connecting food, biotechnology, logistics, commerce, entertainment, and Korean cultural content.
Food ingredients and packaged food · 1965
Beksul
Beksul is one of CJ CheilJedang’s historic food brands, originating in the company’s sugar business and later extending across household cooking ingredients and related packaged-food products. It represents CJ’s long-running domestic food-manufacturing heritage.
Global Korean food
bibigo
bibigo is CJ CheilJedang's principal international food brand, covering products such as dumplings, ready meals, sauces and other Korean-inspired prepared and frozen foods. The brand is used to introduce Korean flavors to mainstream consumers in North America, Asia and Europe, supported by localized production and distribution. Bibigo is CJ’s globally oriented Korean-food brand. Its portfolio includes dumplings, ready meals, sauces, frozen products, and other convenient formats inspired by Korean cuisine. The brand is designed for international retail and food-service channels and functions as one of CJ’s most visible consumer symbols outside South Korea.
Logistics · 1998
CJ Logistics
CJ Logistics provides freight, contract logistics, parcel delivery, warehousing, fulfillment and supply-chain services. The affiliate has expanded beyond South Korea through local operations and acquisitions, including businesses in Vietnam and the United States, making logistics a major international pillar of the CJ portfolio. CJ Logistics provides integrated supply-chain services, including freight transportation, warehousing, contract logistics, parcel delivery, fulfillment, and related logistics solutions. It operates in South Korea and international markets and supports both CJ affiliates and outside corporate customers.
Health and beauty retail
CJ Olive Young
CJ Olive Young is a Korean health-and-beauty retail chain offering cosmetics, personal care, wellness and lifestyle products through physical stores and digital commerce. It is also an important discovery and distribution channel for emerging Korean beauty brands and has become highly visible to overseas visitors to South Korea. CJ Olive Young is a health-and-beauty retail platform with physical stores and digital commerce. It curates cosmetics, personal-care, wellness, and related consumer products, and has become one of the most prominent retail assets associated with CJ.
Entertainment, media and commerce · 2018
CJ ENM
CJ ENM combines entertainment production and distribution with commerce activities. Its ecosystem includes television, film, music, digital content, live cultural events and home-shopping-related operations. The business has been central to CJ’s contribution to Hallyu through programs, films, K-pop initiatives and international events. CJ ENM develops, produces, distributes, and commercializes entertainment and media content. Its activities include television, film, music, digital content, live entertainment, broadcasting, and commerce. The company has been an important channel for distributing Korean content domestically and internationally.
Cinema exhibition · 1998
CJ CGV
CJ CGV operates multiplex cinemas and develops the group’s cultureplex model, which combines film exhibition with food, retail and other cultural experiences. The chain began in South Korea and subsequently expanded internationally.
Bakery
TOUS les JOURS
TOUS les JOURS is CJ Foodville’s bakery franchise. It has operated in South Korea and overseas markets including the United States, China and Vietnam, using a café-bakery format and adapting products to local markets.
Restaurant · 1997
VIPS
VIPS is a premium steak-and-salad restaurant concept associated with CJ Foodville. The brand formed part of CJ’s early move from packaged food into food service and has also had an international presence in Asia.
Food and biotechnology · 1953
CJ CheilJedang
CJ CheilJedang is the group’s core food and biotechnology business. It produces packaged and processed foods, Korean food products, frozen and convenience items, sauces, and food ingredients. Its biotechnology activities serve industrial and commercial markets in addition to consumers. The business is central to CJ’s international food strategy and provides the corporate foundation for brands such as Bibigo.
Food service
CJ Foodville
CJ Foodville operates food-service and restaurant businesses within the CJ portfolio. It extends the group’s food expertise into prepared meals, dining, bakery, and consumer experiences, although the precise operating mix can vary by market and period.
Controversies
2013
Lee Jay-hyun tax and embezzlement case
Chairman Lee Jay-hyun was arrested in 2013 in connection with allegations of tax evasion and embezzlement. He was convicted in 2014 and later released under a presidential pardon in August 2016.
2013
Lee family inheritance dispute
Members of the Lee family, including Lee Maeng-hee and Lee Sook-hee, brought civil claims against Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee concerning alleged concealment and control of inheritance-related Samsung assets. A court rejected Lee Maeng-hee’s claim in January 2013 for insufficient evidence.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012KCON
United States · Japan · Saudi Arabia · Germany · Global
CJ created KCON as a combined K-pop concert and Korean-culture convention, bringing music, food, beauty and lifestyle programming to overseas audiences. The event expanded beyond Los Angeles to multiple international markets including the United States, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Germany, and became a major live platform for Hallyu.
Outcome. The event expanded beyond Los Angeles to multiple international markets and became a major live platform for Hallyu.
- 2009MAMA Awards
Asia · Global
CJ launched the Mnet Asian Music Awards to promote Asian popular music and provide an international platform for K-pop artists. The awards became a recurring international music property associated with CJ ENM and the expansion of Korean pop culture.
Outcome. The awards became a recurring international music property associated with CJ ENM and the expansion of Korean pop culture.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquire Endeavor ContentM&ABackground
CJ sought to expand its global film and television production capabilities.
Action taken
CJ ENM acquired Endeavor Content, which was subsequently rebranded as Fifth Season.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened CJ ENM’s access to international production and content distribution.
2019
Acquire Schwan’s CompanyM&ABackground
CJ wanted stronger North American manufacturing, distribution and frozen-food capabilities.
Action taken
CJ CheilJedang acquired Schwan’s Company.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened CJ’s platform for international expansion of frozen Korean and Asian foods.
2018
Merge CJ E&M with CJ O ShoppingM&ABackground
CJ aimed to connect content production, media distribution and commerce.
Action taken
CJ E&M and CJ O Shopping were merged to create CJ ENM.
Aftermath
CJ ENM became the group’s principal entertainment, media and commerce platform.
2018
Integration of CJ media and commerce businessesM&ABackground
CJ reorganized and combined major media, entertainment, and commerce activities to create a broader content and consumer-platform business.
Action taken
The integrated activities operated under the CJ ENM structure.
Aftermath
CJ ENM became a principal group company for content production, broadcasting, entertainment, and commerce.
2017
Restructure CJ CheilJedang divisionsStrategyBackground
CJ CheilJedang pursued clearer business priorities as the group accelerated global expansion.
Action taken
Four divisions covering bio, feed and livestock, food and materials were consolidated into bio and food groupings.
Aftermath
The reorganization supported a more focused food-and-bio growth strategy and international acquisitions.
2011
Create CJ E&MStrategyBackground
CJ consolidated several media and entertainment assets to build a larger integrated content business.
Action taken
CJ Media, CJ Entertainment, Mnet Media, On-Media and CJ Internet were combined through O Media Holdings, which became CJ E&M.
Aftermath
CJ E&M became a major contributor to Korean television, film, music and Hallyu expansion.
1993
Separate from SamsungStrategyBackground
CheilJedang sought independent management and a broader strategic identity beyond Samsung’s manufacturing structure.
Action taken
The company was spun off from Samsung and later completed its formal separation in 1997.
Aftermath
The separation enabled CJ to diversify into food service, entertainment, media, logistics and retail.
Recent events
Sources6 sources
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