Pororo the Little Penguin

It was created in 2003 Iconix Entertainment Co., Ltd, a company based in Seoul, South Korea. Choi Sang-hyun, who was working at Iconix Entertainment, was given a project of creating a character that represents an animal living in the winter. Choi visited a zoo in order to see those animals and understand how children enjoyed watching them.

Several professional designers joined the project to come up with a character, but Choi's design was chosen as the winner, which then became Pororo. The original Pororo was a blue and white, petite penguin sporting an aviator helmet and goggles, which became popular among children. When it was introduced, it targeted children aged 4–7.

Pororo has no specific background or cultural coding, so that the series could be popular to children worldwide. Pororo's design inspirations include iconic mascots Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty. The creators picked the colours blue, pink and white to ensure familiarity for children, as well as representing said colors for boys and girls.

When making episodes, producers focused to details that could be biased to certain cultural codes or give a historical reference, that is sensitive to viewers in certain parts of the world. For example, they ensured that the characters wave rather than bowing or nodding to each other. In the third season, the characters were all given redesigns and outfits that correspond to their personalities.

English credits:

• English translation: Ani100
• English voice director: Anna Paik

English cast:

• Bommie Catherine Han: Pororo, Monkey 1
• Anna Desmarais: Eddy, Petty
• Nancy Kim: Harry, Monkey 3
• Anna Paik: Loopy, Tutu, Monkey 2
• Matt Anipen: Poby, Narrator, Wall Clock
• Josh Schwartzentruber: Rody, Fuzzy Wuzzy
• John Lee: Tong-tong, Yeti

The series premiered on EBS 1 in South Korea in 2003.

In the US, the show was dubbed in Spanish and aired on V-me in the late 2000s and currently aired on V-me Kids.

In the UK, the series was dubbed in British English and aired on CiTV and then, Cartoonito.

In Australia, the series aired on ABC Kids.

On October 5, 2015, it was broadcast in Brazil through TV Cultura and later on October 12 through TV Rá-Tim-Bum.

In Italy, the show aired on Rai 2.

In Spain, the series aired on Clan and was dubbed in Castillian Spanish.

In 2010, the series was purchased by the NPO for Zappelin in the Netherlands.

In Poland, the show was aired on MiniMini+ under the title "Mały pingwinek Popolo".

In Japan, the first season aired on Fuji TV, but other three aired on Disney Junior.

In Southeast Asia, the series aired on Disney Junior. While in the Philippines, the series first aired on GMA Network.

Initially, Pororo was created solely for entertainment. Later, parents suggested to Choi Jung-il of Iconix Entertainment that new episodes with educational value be included. Producers have received many requests, ranging from what the characters should eat and how to play in episodes to what they can do for society.

Korean Air also provides Pororo-related merchandise for children including a doodle book, a colouring book and a plush toy of the character. In 2015, Pororo was chosen as the mascot for mass transportation in Seoul.

In the summer of 2016, a Pororo theme park opened at Seoul COEX Mall featuring rides and a parade of Pororo characters.[5]

In 2007, Pororo received numerous awards from the South Korean government, including the award by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In 2010, Pororo got the president's award for Best Animated Characters. In 2014, Pororo got the award for Creative Brands.

• Iconix Official Website
• Pororo the Little Penguin Official Site
• Pororo the Little Penguin Official EBS Website (in Korean)
• Pororo in Netherlands (in Dutch)
• OCON Studios
• IMDb page for Pororo the Little Penguin TV series.