Hybrid Local Animation’s Global Appeal

Abstract

This chapter examines Korea's animation industry, which has not been a major cultural form in Hallyu research. It investigates the historical, cultural, and economic forces that have shaped Korea's animation characters in the context of the debates on globalization utilizing the framework of hybridity. It analyzes the texts of a few animation characters, including Pororo the Little Penguin, in order to understand the major reasons for the sudden growth of the Korean animation industry. In particular, it maps out the hybrid nature of Korean animation, which is the politicization of local popular culture. By using Korea's animations, it challenges the notation of the depoliticization of popular culture. Finally, given that American and Japanese animation characters have exerted a huge influence since the early development of Korean animation, and taking into account the inclusion of elements of hybridization in production, the chapter discusses the ways in which the domestic animation industry has become popular in the global market.