Kim Yoon-ji, head of the Korea Creative Content Agency, stated on July 16 that the agency will be a strong partner for content companies and creators seeking to grow on a broader stage and enter the global market.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Character Licensing Fair held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, Kim emphasized that domestic content IP is creating new value by connecting across various fields, including characters, games, animation, broadcasting, music, food, and beauty.
The economic impact of content IP is increasingly significant. According to a study titled 'Kokapocus No. 214, Economic Effects of Korean Wave Industry Exports,' which Kim participated in, a $100 million increase in exports of Korean Wave content leads to a $220 million increase in exports of related industries such as cosmetics, food, and tourism. The domestic production inducement effect is also estimated to reach approximately $570 million. This indicates that content is establishing itself as a new growth engine that drives the growth of both manufacturing and service industries.
In particular, characters are expanding into new experiences and content by merging with various businesses, including animation, games, performances, space, distribution, and tourism. This transformation was reflected in this year's Character Licensing Fair, which was themed 'Expanding: Content IP.' The event showcased collaborations across various content IPs, including characters, games, broadcasting, animation, and music.
Kim noted, 'This fair will be a meaningful opportunity to confirm the scalability and future potential of content IP and to create new collaborations and business opportunities.' She added, 'This year, it is also being held alongside the Board Game Con, Korea's representative board game event, allowing us to see the synergy between characters and board games. We promise to provide visitors with abundant entertainment and opportunities for collaboration in the industry.'
In fact, the Character Licensing Fair has established itself as a leading character business platform in Korea, consistently generating business results over the past three years. Last year, it recorded approximately 1178 business meetings, with a consultation amount of about 66 billion won and an expected contract amount of around 37 billion won. This represents increases of approximately 44% and 79%, respectively, compared to the previous year. It is being recognized as a business platform that leads to actual contracts and investments beyond simple exhibitions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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