The global records of BTS and BLACKPINK have continued with 'Squid Game', 'Parasite', and 'Maybe Happy Ending', expanding into various K-content beyond K-POP, including drama series, films, and musicals. Now, K-animation is receiving attention as the next generation of K-content to carry the baton forward.
Following the launch of 'Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning' and 'Love's Hachuping' in 2024, 2025 is creating a trend of new leaps with works produced by master directors and fresh material.
First, there is 'The Valley' (tentative title), the first feature animation directed by Bong Joon-ho, and his ninth directorial work. This Full CG animation, which deals with a drama entangled with deep-sea creatures and humans, is under production with a goal to release worldwide in 2027. Director Kim Tae-yong, known for the acclaimed traditional music performance 'Gokdu' in 2017, is preparing a feature animation also titled 'Gokdu', aiming for a 2027 release, which will deeply explore universal themes of family, separation, life, and death based on traditional funeral culture and the 'Gokdu' folktale.
Also, the first theatrical animation 'Bad Girl: Run Hanni', produced to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the beloved animation 'Run Hanni', is set to release in 2025. Based on a new original story for the theatrical version, it will depict the tale of Hanni and Nae-ri, who have become high school students.
K-animation's success continues in short films and on OTT platforms. 'Glasses', directed by Jung Yoo-mi, is the first Korean animation to be invited to the short film competition section at the Cannes Film Festival Critics' Week in 2025, depicting the protagonist's psychological journey of accepting herself as she faces her inner shadows through delicate pencil drawings. This work, recognized for both its artistry and originality, premiered on June 11.
'Lost in Starlight', released on Netflix on May 30, is a romance animation in which astronaut Nanyang, who dreams of exploring Mars in 2050, meets Jay, who has set aside his dream of being a musician, and together they pursue their dreams and love. Actors Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung lent their voices, enhancing the quality of the work.
'The King of Kings', which achieved the top spot among Korean films at the North American box office and second place among Asian animations, is set for a grand return to its home country on July 16. 'The King of Kings' is a global blockbuster K-animation featuring the outstanding British author Charles Dickens on a journey with his youngest son, Walter, into the greatest story of 2000 years ago, crafted with near live-action technology, innovative narratives, and contributions from top actors both domestically and internationally, maximizing its quality.
With a production period spanning 10 years, this work, completed with pure domestic technology and capital, has received enthusiastic acclaim following its North American release and is considered another achievement and milestone for K-content on the global stage. The subtitled version features actors Kenneth Branagh, Oscar Isaac, Uma Thurman, while the Korean dubbed version includes Lee Byung-hun, Jin Sun-kyu, Lee Ha-nee, and Yang Dong-geun, raising interest and expectations.
'The King of Kings', regarded as a new turning point for K-animation and proving the potential and strength of Korean animation to the world, is set to premiere in theaters nationwide on July 16.
[Photo] Movie posters
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