- CJ ENM plans to transform Mnet Plus into a global K-pop medium with greater commercial objectives by 2026.
- K-pop fan participation has spurred Mnet Plus' swift rise with a multinational user base.
- The next phase of Mnet Plus's growth will be driven by new K-pop originals, globally distributed content, and improved platform features.
K-pop is at the heart of CJ ENM's digital makeover in 2026, as the company refocuses its global strategy on Mnet Plus. Instead of only allowing users to stream music, the platform is evolving into a full media hub. This change is intended to maintain the user engagement, while expanding market share.
K-pop has served as a primary growth engine for Mnet Plus, since its inception in 2022. The platform has grown into a key destination for global fans by incorporating live performances and on-demand video with interactive participation elements.
Mnet Plus, which is available in over 250 countries and regions around the globe stated in an official statement that they had achieved 40 million cumulative app users by late 2025. Additionally, the company also logged in over 20M monthly active users (MAU), indicating a 470% increment of the company’s MAU from the beginning of 2025 to the year-end (reports The Chosun Daily). Furthermore, about 80% of its traffic was recorded to come from the United States, China, Japan, and Indonesia, with daily active users (DAU) tripling from the year before.
Industry experts say that due to this "fanteractive" approach and programs like Boys II Planet, Mnet's popularity has gained a massive traction. Boys II Planet is an international boyband survival reality show that has received over 3.5M votes in a single day, tied to its live finale, with 70,000 votes registered per second. The 2024 MAMA AWARDS also received more than 70M votes, showcasing the platform's unparalleled level of fan participation. Shows like Planet C: Home Race, The City of Spy: NCT 127, and WIDE K-POP NEWS, have also deepened fan engagement.
K-pop Originals To Drive Mnet Plus' 2026 Global Engagement Growth
Mnet Plus's content catalog is slated to grow significantly in 2026. Travel diversity show, ON THE MAP, which debuted on Jan 20, immediately surpassed platform unique viewers and had watching areas increase by more than 35% in its first week, showcasing a rapid global popularity.
Other original shows, such as SUMBAKKOKJIL (returning for a larger Season 2) and a new Wanna One Reality series, are expected to create additional engagement. Notably, SUMBAKKOKJIL crossed 14M total views and 1M unique users for a single IP, leading core traffic.
To supplement its IPs, the platform strengthened its global reach by broadcasting flagship CJ ENM content globally across web and app. Consumers around the world can now enjoy titles like M Countdown, Show Me the Money 12, Reply High School, and Uzu Record, with Produce 101 Japan New World soon to join this global portfolio.
Reportedly, the organization’s future roadmap will also include enhanced live capabilities, built-in commerce, and free, ad-supported access to reduce entry barriers. As noted by The Chosun Daily, a company representative said, “2026 will be a year of evolution into a hub where global fans’ K-POP experiences converge, driven by unrivaled original content competitiveness. We will spare no effort in technological advancement and IP investment to ensure the most vivid and immersive K-POP culture is enjoyed on Mnet Plus.”
