Digital character industry touts boon
PUBLISHED : 18 Jul 2023 at 04:00
South Korean and Thai businesses involved in digitally animated characters are seeking ways to improve cooperation while enriching cultural exchanges, speakers at the launch of the “Korean-Thai Character Exchange Exhibition” said yesterday.
Shin Chang-hwan, the Korea Animation Producers Association president, said the character industry grew dramatically after the pandemic due to “digital disruption”, resulting in increased emoticon usage.
Consumption of online content has increased over the past decade, and many digital character products have come about as a result, Mr Shin said.
“An increase in the bonds between the two countries’ digital industries could help people to understand each other more,” he said.
“These digital characters reflect each other’s cultural aspects and lifestyles while helping promote bilateral economic ties through investment, research and digital character development.”
The Korean Cultures, Tourism and Sports Ministry and Korean Creative Content Agency have been working to promote the Korean character industry, which earns 20 trillion won (546 billion baht) annually.
The ministry has assisted the industry in making inroads abroad within the US, European and other Asian nations such as Japan.
“After 2020, Korea shifted its emphasis to Asean countries as we share many cultural similarities compared to Westerners. So we are looking for more opportunities for our characters in regional cultural exchanges,” he added.
Sumith Simargool, Thailand Digital Content Association (DCAT) president, said many fun and creative characters had been produced in Thailand, but they depend on foreign online platforms to be promoted.
“I think if Thailand can develop its own strong platform, it will create more opportunities for Thai character creators [to promote their work],” he added.
Korean and Thai Characters such as “Shinbi’s Haunted House” and “ToriYang” from Korea and “Shew Sheep” and “Cat Company” from Thailand are being promoted at the exhibition, which is being held at the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand until Aug 25.