Korean animation

Korea's first feature-length animated film is Hong Gil-dong, directed by Shin Dong-hun and released in theaters in January 1967. It was based on Shin Dong-woo's comic about the folk hero Hong Gil-dong and was a box office success. The film was lost for years until a print was found in Japan in 2007 and restored.

Robot Taekwon V is a theatrical animated film directed by Kim Cheong-gi and released in July 1976. Its giant robot that fights using taekwondo moves made it hugely popular, and several sequels followed. A restored version returned to theaters in 2007.

Dooly is the hero of Dooly the Little Dinosaur, a comic Kim Soo-jung began serializing in a comics magazine in 1983. A baby dinosaur freed from a glacier ends up in Seoul and stays with a family, with comic results. It was adapted into a TV animation on KBS in 1987, and the character is still remembered across generations.

Pororo the Little Penguin first aired on EBS in November 2003 as an animated show for preschoolers. It was planned by Iconix and produced by Ocon, starting with short episodes. It later grew into many seasons and a wide range of merchandise, becoming one of Korea's best-known characters for young children.

Baby Shark Dance, made by the Korean company The Pinkfong Company, is known as the most-viewed video on YouTube. Its catchy song and easy dance moves spread among children around the world. View counts keep changing, so check the official channel for current figures.

Yes. Korea has long handled production work for overseas animation. For example, studios in Seoul are known to have done part of the animation for the American TV series The Simpsons. This experience is often credited with building the technical foundation of the Korean animation industry.

Leafie, A Hen into the Wild (2011) is a theatrical animated film based on the children's novel by Hwang Sun-mi. It tells the story of Ipssak, a hen who leaves the coop in search of freedom. It drew more than 2 million viewers, setting a record for Korean animation at the time.

Yes. Yeon Sang-ho's The King of Pigs (2011) is an adult animated film about school violence and class, and it was invited to the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes in 2012. Yeon later made the animated film Seoul Station (2016). Check the age rating before watching titles like these.

Yes. The Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (SICAF) has been held since 1995, and the Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF) since 1999. Both screen Korean and international feature and short animations and host events for audiences. Check each festival's official information for dates and ticketing.

Many air on terrestrial channels such as EBS and KBS and on cable channels specializing in kids' content and animation, such as Tooniverse. More titles now debut first on YouTube channels and online platforms. Check each broadcaster's schedule for times and channels.

Robocar Poli is a preschool animation about transforming rescue vehicles who help the people of their town, and it began airing on EBS in 2011. Many episodes teach road safety and everyday safety in a simple way. It is one of the Korean characters that has been exported to many countries.

The Haunted House, known in Korean as Shinbi Apartment, is a children's animation in which a goblin named Shinbi and a group of kids confront ghosts. It began airing on Tooniverse in 2016 and continued for multiple seasons. It adapts ghosts and spooky tales from Korean folklore to suit young viewers.

Yes, more popular webtoons are being adapted into animation. Some animated adaptations of Korean webtoons have been produced together with overseas studios. Occasionally the same webtoon is turned into both a live-action drama and an animated series. Most of these adaptations keep the original artwork style while adding motion and voice.

Korean animation is especially strong in preschool character shows, often featuring educational content and cute character designs. Many titles expand into merchandise, live shows and YouTube content. Theatrical features and adult animation are less common, but they continue to be made steadily.

Many universities and specialized schools offer animation programs, and the Korean Academy of Film Arts also has an animation track. Regional film commissions and cultural institutions sometimes run short courses as well. Check each institution's official information for admissions and programs, as details can change.

Yes, some characters appear in theme parks, experience spaces or street sculptures. For example, Ssangmun-dong in Dobong-gu, Seoul, is known as Dooly's hometown and has a Dooly-themed street and facilities. Check local tourism information for operating status and hours. Keep in mind that facilities may close or move over time.

Korean animation usually features professional voice actors, including those hired through broadcasters' recruitment programs. For theatrical releases, film and TV actors sometimes provide voices as well. When titles are exported, they are re-dubbed into the language of each country. Most of these places are designed for families with children.

Preschool animation uses slow speech and repeats simple expressions, which can help beginners. Greetings, numbers and everyday phrases come up often. However, there is a lot of childlike speech and onomatopoeia, so learn to tell it apart from the language adults use with each other.

Yes, preschool characters such as Pororo, Robocar Poli and Pinkfong have been exported to many countries. They often expand abroad not only through broadcasting but also through video platforms, toys and live shows. For figures such as the number of countries, the companies' official materials are the most reliable source.

If you like classics, try the restored versions of Hong Gil-dong or Robot Taekwon V. For something the whole family can enjoy, a feature such as Leafie, A Hen into the Wild is a good choice. With young children, preschool series are the easiest start. For adult-oriented titles, check the age rating first.