Korean Animated Characters Sweep the World

Korean animated characters, including Pucca, Pororo, Janggeum and Backkom, are taking the world by storm. The animated series as well as school supplies and toys of the characters have become hugely popular in the Asia, Europe and the United States. Royalties collected from copyrights are expected to exceed 200 million dollars for the first time.

Pucca, a cute girl character with pigtails, made inroads into overseas markets in 2002. Currently, some 2,500 character items are being sold in 130 countries around the world.

Pororo, a talking penguin, gained wide recognition through an animated series. Currently some 100 Pororo items are being sold in 60 countries around the world.

The Korea Culture and Content Agency said character exports recorded surplus earnings for the first time in 2005. It also said character exports will exceed 200 million dollars for the first time.

The agency's director Lee Won-hee said the global boom over Korean characters will continue as diverse characters are being created continuously and their quality is world-class.

Advertisement