CJ

A leading South Korean comprehensive food, entertainment, and distribution group spun off from the Samsung Group

CJ

Overview

CJ (씨제이) is a representative comprehensive corporate group (conglomerate) of the Republic of Korea, and its official name refers to CJ Corporation and its affiliates, collectively known as CJ Group. It began in 1953 as Cheil Jedang, the seed of the Samsung Group, and after being separated from Samsung Group in 1993, it grew food and bio, entertainment and media, and distribution and logistics into its three core business areas. It promotes the spirit of "ONLYONE" as its corporate philosophy and is regarded as a leading driver of the spread of K-food and K-culture.

Main Content

History and Relationship with Samsung

CJ's roots lie in Cheil Jedang, founded in 1953 by Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul. Starting with sugar and flour manufacturing, it expanded into food, pharmaceuticals, and distribution in the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1993 Chairman Lee Jay-hyun separated the affiliates from the Samsung Group and established an independent management system. In 2002 it converted to a holding company system and reorganized its name as CJ. Since then, it has broadened its business portfolio to include Cheil Jedang, CJ Logistics, CJ ENM, CJ CGV, CJ Olive Young, and CJ CheilJedang BIO (bio).

Three Core Business Areas

Food and Bio (CJ CheilJedang): It owns brands such as "Bibigo," "Hetbahn," "Spam" (Korean distribution), and "Beksul," and leads the globalization of K-food. It has production and sales bases in the United States, Europe, and Asia and exports kimchi, dumplings, and frozen foods. Its bio division is a top-tier global player in fermentation-based amino acids (such as lysine).
Entertainment and Media (CJ ENM): It operates broadcasting channels such as tvN and Mnet, film investment and distribution, music (K-pop labels), and commerce businesses. It participated in the production and distribution of the film "Parasite" and plans global K-culture events such as "KCON." Its subsidiary CJ CGV is a global theater operator running multiplex businesses in Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and elsewhere.
Distribution and Logistics (CJ Olive Young and CJ Logistics): Olive Young is Korea's largest health and beauty (H&B) store and serves as a platform for K-beauty exports. CJ Logistics is Korea's largest parcel delivery and logistics company and is expanding its global logistics infrastructure.

Management Structure and Governance

CJ has a holding company system with CJ Corporation at the apex and affiliates beneath it. Chairman Lee Jay-hyun serves as chairman and CEO, combining a professional management system with owner management. It is characterized by a "value chain" strategy that leverages synergies among affiliates (food-distribution-media-logistics). It is one of the large corporate groups (conglomerates) designated by the Fair Trade Commission and is classified as a corporate group with a controlling owner.

Social Contribution and Brand

Centered on the CJ Sharing Foundation, it carries out cultural and educational support programs and emphasizes corporate social responsibility (CSR) and creating shared value (CSV). Activities such as "improving the treatment of CJ Logistics delivery drivers" and "nurturing K-culture talent" are well known. Its brand slogan is "ONLYONE, CJ," emphasizing originality and being first.

Latest Trends

In 2024-2025, CJ has made the global expansion of K-food, K-beauty, and K-content its top priority. CJ CheilJedang is increasing its market share in the United States and Europe with Bibigo dumplings and kimchi at the forefront and has made additional investments in production bases in Hungary, the United States, and elsewhere. CJ Olive Young is accelerating its entry into Japan, the United States, and Southeast Asia with a "K-beauty global launch pad" strategy and is strengthening its online-to-offline integrated (O4O) services. CJ ENM is expanding overseas partnerships for content production and distribution and is enhancing its domestic OTT competitiveness centered on TVING. CJ Logistics is concentrating investment on e-commerce logistics, fulfillment, and global cross-border logistics. At the group level, business restructuring (disposal of non-core assets and cleanup of subsidiary stakes) and a stance of strengthening financial soundness continue, and in 2025, smart logistics and content production efficiency incorporating AI and digital transformation have emerged as major tasks.

CJ