The Reigning "President" of Kids’ Entertainment: A Closer Look at Pororo
Ah, November 27, 2003 – a day that would change the face of kids’ entertainment forever. That’s when Pororo, the lovable, adorable, and slightly deranged penguin, made its debut on EBS, a South Korean broadcasting channel. Little did the creators know that their "inter-Korean joint animation project" would go on to become a global phenomenon, capturing the hearts and imaginations of children everywhere. (And, in all likelihood, driving parents and caregivers to the brink of madness with its mind-numbingly catchy soundtrack).
Fast-forward to the present day, and Pororo remains an unstoppable force, dominating the world of children’s entertainment with its movies, TV shows, and various merchandise. But just what is it about Pororo that makes it so enduringly popular? To understand this, we’ll take a closer look at its origins, its transformation into a global phenomenon, and its enduring appeal to audiences of all ages (and by "all ages", I mean primarily between the ages of 4-12).
Season One: The Birth of an Icon
In the beginning, there was just a penguin named Pororo, and a set of basic animation principles to go with it. This marked the beginning of what was initially intended to be an inter-Korean co-production between South Korea and North Korea. The brainchild of Ocon Animation Production Company and Samchully General Corporation, respectively. Alas, relations between the two nations (North and South Korea, respectively) deteriorated, causing production to cease in 2006. However, not before a total of 8 endearing characters came into existence: Pororo (the penguin in question), Crong the Dinosaur, Eddie the Fox, Loopy the Beaver, Patty the Penguin (obviously a relation), Rody the Robot, Poby the Polar Bear, and Harry the Hummingbird.
Strutting Its Stuff: Changes, Controversies & International Acclaim
You know the old saying – with great power comes even greater scrutiny. And nowhere has this been more pronounced than in the world of kids’ entertainment. Just one season into its now-twenty-year run (think about that for a moment), and Pororo, or rather its supporting characters, underwent a "transformative" makeover that came to define the essence of the show. To address this in more simple terms, they started donning clothes – and whoa, did that unleash some serious merchandise potential (cough, cough… profits). Suddenly, the relatively wholesome image of Pororo found itself at the eye of a maelstrom as concerned parents began criticizing what they perceived as a sudden upsurge in branding-fueled commercialization. However, it’d take a whole lot more controversy for Pororo to dip into its global popularity bank and pull out a shiny export contract. And when TF1, a renowned French terrestrial channel, bought Pororo’s rights – ratings went through the roof: a staggering 47%. France had officially, been "Pororo-ied."
Is Pororo still "The President?" – Assessing its longevity.
Now, almost twenty years into its unstoppable ascension, Pororo holds the position of entertainment President of Korea. By and large, the latest animated series – "The Superstar Adventure" movie had over 386 thousand attendances and earned just over 3.5 Billion KRW ( approximating $2.7Million USD). We, at the Money S Editorial office, have a certain set of criteria for any new kid on the " animation block". We measure and weigh all factors carefully (like an Olympic scale weighing system) – new franchises and all. Thus proving Pororo’s incredible power of endurance and solid, rock-like foundation is simply not shaken by modern attempts to usurp – rather they solidify his stature.
The future bodes well for Pororo; we are expecting that their latest co-production plans set for release in ‘2024’ will propel his legacy further into household infamy.
November 27, 2003: A Red-Letter Day for Pororo, the Originator of ‘First President’
On this day, the popular children’s animation ‘Pororo’ premiered on EBS, captivating the hearts of kids from kindergarten to elementary school students. Since its maiden broadcast, ‘Pororo’ has dominated the affection of young audiences, securing its position as Korea’s ‘first president’ of children’s entertainment. The show’s massive success extends beyond TV broadcasts, encompassing theater releases, educational programs, and a vast array of merchandise, including dolls, stationery, and toys.
In the first season of ‘Pororo’, the characters were surprisingly sans clothes. It wasn’t until the 3rd season that the beloved characters began donning their iconic attire. Interestingly, this transformation coincided with the release of ‘Pororo’ character products, making the 3rd season iteration of Pororo the most recognizable to the public.
‘Pororo’ has been a staple on Korean television for over two decades, with the show concluding its 9th season in November last year. As the show’s popularity endured, notable changes were made to the characters and storylines, ensuring its continued relevance to young audiences.
This Magical Parenting Product Transcends Borders
‘Pororo’ has gained a reputation as a magical solution for parents seeking to console crying children. The show’s immense popularity spawned its first theatrical version, ‘Pororo’s Great Adventure’, which hit theaters in 2004, just a year after its initial broadcast. Its impact extends far beyond Korea’s borders, with the show being exported to 16 countries, including OECD nations, and enjoying broadcast on terrestrial channels.
A record 47% viewership rating on France’s TF1 terrestrial channel stands testament to Pororo’s international appeal, as it captured the hearts of children worldwide. Today, ‘Pororo’ continues to charm audiences alongside other popular Korean children’s animations like Pinkfong and ‘Catch Tiniping’.
Pororo’s Timeless Allure: A Lasting Legacy
Twenty years on, ‘Pororo’ remains an undeniable force in the world of children’s entertainment. The latest theatrical release, ‘Pororo Theatrical Superstar Adventure’, drew a massive domestic audience of 386,400 as of February 17, while earning an impressive $2,588,846 (approximately 3.6 billion won) at the global box office as of December 30 last year.
Despite the emergence of new children’s animation characters like ‘Hachuping’ and Pinkfong, ‘Pororo’ remains firmly entrenched as the original ‘first president’. Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming broadcast of the 9th episode, selected through the 3rd animation co-production project contest in November last year, and the release of ‘Pororo’s Great Undersea Adventure’ on January 1st next year.
By Reporter Kim In-young [email protected]
ⓒ Money S & moneys.co.kr, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited
