Pengsoo attended a ‘fan meeting’ in Busan on Oct. 26, 2019. (image: EBS)
SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Young South Korean’s craze over EBS mascot Pengsoo is based on a sense of catharsis that the character offers to South Koreans in their 20s and 30s, an animation expert said.
Choi Jong-il, CEO of Iconix Entertainment, a South Korean animation company, said in a radio interview that “since young South Koreans are equipped with relatively freer minds than the older generation, they are facing the dilemma of having to cope with a rigid society.”
“So Pengsoo comes as a pleasant surprise, washing away the doubts and fears that are suffocating those in their 20s and 30s.”
Iconix is a creator of the famous animation “Pororo the Little Penguin,” and Choi is known as the godfather of Pororo.
“Pororo and Pengsoo are both penguins, which I think came as a coincidence during the phase of strategic design,” Choi said. “I don’t think that fact that they’re penguins is what makes the characters so famous.”
Pengsoo is a fictional character that supposedly swam all the way from Antarctica to become the world’s best content creator after hearing about Pororo’s success in South Korea.
Pororo is considered as one of many factors that started the Korean Wave, leading many to believe that Pengsoo also may have the potential to mesmerize foreign markets.
“It’s not just Pengsoo, but various animated characters from South Korea have gained considerable popularity worldwide,” Choi said. “There is a big chance that they will become more popular than they are today.”
“Pengsoo’s strong appeal comes from its willingness to challenge the current order, and I believe there is more to Pengsoo than what we see now,” Choi added.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
