An old, driverless car approaches a young man, suddenly stands up, and transforms itself into a tall, talking robot armed with never-before-seen technology.
This is a scene from "Transformers", the recent Hollywood blockbuster directed by Michael Bay. The show features robots that can change themselves into any kind of vehicle to fight against evil robots out to takeover earth.
The movie and the original 1980s cartoon on which it is based captivated many robot enthusiasts, young and old.
The creative power behind the Transformers is Korean animator Nelson Shin, 67, the producer of the original Transformers cartoon and director of the 1986 Transformers movie. Dubbed "god of animators" in South Korea", Shin and the staff at his studio AKOM in Korea have also been drawing famous U.S. cartoon characters from "The Simpsons", "Dilbert" and "Pink Panther".
Meanwhile, at Internet cafes across Korea a legion of 200,000 users -- ages 20 to 60 – are logged on and playing Lineage. The online multi-role game, allows players to be princes, knights, magicians or other characters fighting for their kings in a fantasy world created by cartoonist Shin Il-suk. Shin, 45, is one of well-known Korean animators. "Manhwa" or Korean comic book readers, were amazed by the world of fantasy, epic and romance Shin created in her other artworks that include "Four Daughters of Armian" (unofficial translation) and "Pharaoh's Lover" (unofficial translation).
Within 15 months of its 1999 debut in online game industry, the number of Lineage players surpassed 1 million. Marketer NC Soft chalked up 100 billion won in accumulated turnover by the end of 2001 by picking up Lineage fans in Japan, Taiwan, China, the United States and Australia. Worldwide the number of players is now nearing a half a billion, and the game has generated 1.5 trillion won in total turnover. Lineage has been named an online sector "Super Brand" by the Korean Institute for Industrial Policy Studies every year since 2004, making NC Soft as Korea's leading online game provider. Now, NC Soft is producing more games with upgraded contents for both Korean and overseas game players.
Though once regarded merely as a fun pastime for children, cartoons and animation have become a big business that generates serious earnings. Grown-ups' enthusiasm for various animation-based cultural contents really took off once images moved from simple two-dimensional cartoons to a virtual three-dimensional world where all are welcome.
Korea's "Gung" ("Princess Hours") is a good example. Created by Park So-hee, this comic book depicted the life of the would-be modern Korean royal family. It later became a TV drama on Korea's Munhwa Broadcasting Company in 2006. Many Asian countries imported the drama, strengthening the Hallyu wave. Mexico and Argentina are also considering importing this modern yet imaginary look at the Korean royal family.
In actuality, Korea's nobility lost their titles and status during the Japanese colonial period. The last monarch, heirless King Sunjong, also known as Emperor Yunghui, (1874-1926) was forced to abdicate in 1910.
"Full House", a TV drama produced by Korea's state broadcaster KBS and starring pop idol Rain, is also based on a comic book created by Korean animator Won Soo-yeon. Korean pop idol Rain and Song Hye-kyo, actress who starred in KBS's "Autumn in my Heart" showed a trendy, cute love story in the drama that also took Asian viewers' hearts.
While Korean animators' capability and efforts shine at international awards, the general public is largely oblivious to Korean contributions to animation. Most recently, Choi Jin, 40, received the top prize for animation at the Asia TV Awards held in Singapore on Nov. 29. Choi's cartoon "Z-squad" features three brave girls who dare to fight bands of evildoers to save the world.
As CEO of 3-D animation company Enemes, Choi wrote, produced and directed the animation that has aired on Korea's Seoul Broadcasting System and cartoon networks. Choi's Enemes has already received international recognition by drawing Disney's "Lylo & Stitch" under the OEM system.
America's Disney and Canada's YTV and Teletoon plan to air "Z-squad" from early 2008. Over 10 European broadcasters have also expressed interest, according to Enemes.
In October 2007, Korean animation "Aachi And Ssipak", directed by Jo Beom-jin, won the Best Animated Film Award at the 2007 Sigtes International Film Festival in Spain. The film's distributor Studio 2.0 also received an award there.
In March the same year, Korean-made digital animation won the best prize in the Bimini Animation Festival. "Mug Travel", created by Korea's RG Animation Studio, received the best film for children in the festival held in Latvia. The animation features the adventure story of a baby, his polar bear and two penguin friends in a modern city. Its TV series animation has been exported to 20 broadcasters, including Britain's BBC and the U.S.-based Cartoon Network.
Gov't to support animation industry to enhance competitiveness
In step with Korean animation's rising status, the government plans to provide various benefits to related small and medium-sized producers. By the first half of 2008, it will extend the domestic animation quota system for national broadcasters to cable networks to stimulate more animation content.
The government will also support championships for Korean-made computer games to boost the domestic online game industry. It will also work to turn the competitions into international events.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff writer
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