Korea’s next growth phase in creative exports is taking shape through cross-border IP alliances. The Pinkfong Company’s partnership with Japan’s TBS for Kikipuppup shows how Korean studios are evolving into global content investors and brand owners, not just creators—a sign of growing sophistication in Korea’s entertainment and venture ecosystem.

Korea’s Pinkfong Company Expands Global IP Collaboration with Japan’s TBS

Global family entertainment firm The Pinkfong Company has unveiled its new intellectual property (IP), “Kikipuppup”, co-produced with Japan’s TBS Television, one of the country’s five major terrestrial broadcasters. The new franchise represents the next generation of the studio’s character IP lineup following the global success of Pinkfong and Baby Shark.

The company announced on October 30 that “Kikipuppup” will premiere globally on YouTube on October 31, followed by a television broadcast in Japan next year. The project builds on a strategic partnership signed in April between The Pinkfong Company and TBS, supported by the establishment of Pinkfong’s Japanese subsidiary earlier this year.

Korea – Japan Co-Production Signals a New Creative Trade Model

“Kikipuppup” is being positioned as a new benchmark for cross-border content production between Korea and Japan, two of Asia’s most influential entertainment markets.

The collaboration extends Korea’s content export model beyond distribution to joint creation, localized storytelling, and shared monetization—a shift increasingly favored by both investors and policymakers promoting the K-content globalization strategy.

The series also highlights a diversification of Korea’s global entertainment exports, traditionally dominated by drama and music, into premium family and educational entertainment.

Its storyline blends comedy with emotional learning through three characters: Kiki, a confident cat; Puppu, an upbeat dog; and Vex, a playful trickster. Each episode, about three minutes long, combines slapstick comedy with music under a “Laugh & Learn” concept designed to help children understand and express emotions naturally. The series is produced in Korean, Japanese, and English, reflecting Pinkfong’s multi-market strategy.

Building a Premium Global IP Portfolio with Kikipuppup

Joo Hye-min, Chief Business Officer (CBO) of The Pinkfong Company, said:

“Kikipuppup combines the production expertise of The Pinkfong Company and TBS into a next-generation global IP. We hope children experience the joy of growth by understanding and sharing emotions through laughter.”

The Pinkfong Company confirmed that the YouTube launch will serve as the first step in a broader IP commercialization roadmap, which includes expansion into toys, publishing, music, and live performances.

Through its partnership with TBS, the company also plans to strengthen global distribution and merchandising networks, evolving its IP portfolio into a “premium entertainment brand centered on emotion and empathy.”

Content IP as Korea’s Next Export Growth Engine

The launch of “Kikipuppup” comes at a pivotal time for Korea’s content export and creative economy. As the government pushes to transform IP-driven industries into high-value export sectors, collaborations like this illustrate how Korean studios are adapting to the demands of multi-market co-production, localization, and digital-first distribution.

The Pinkfong Company’s model—where IP development, global licensing, and platform-based monetization converge—demonstrates how Korean startups and creative enterprises can scale beyond domestic boundaries by partnering with major regional broadcasters.

Such strategies align with Korea’s broader “Digital Content Globalization Policy,” which emphasizes regional alliances, IP diversification, and technology integration in media exports.

At the same time, the company’s pending KOSDAQ IPO underscores the maturing financial structure of Korea’s content sector. The combination of storytelling expertise and capital market participation signals a shift in how K-content ventures position themselves as investable global IP companies rather than production houses alone.

Kikipuppup by Pinkfong: A New Phase in Korea’s Creative Globalization

Beyond mere new character launch by The Pinkfong Company, “Kikipuppup” reflects Korea’s evolving role as a creator of globally scalable IP. The company’s co-production with Japan’s demonstrates that cross-border creative alliances can serve as a strategic foundation for Asia’s next wave of cultural exports.

As Korea’s creative industries integrate storytelling, technology, and finance, the success of ventures like “Kikipuppup” will be closely watched by investors and policymakers seeking models for sustainable global IP growth within the Asia-Pacific digital economy.

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