SEK Studio
Native name
조선4·26만화영화촬영소
Chosŏn 4.26 Atong Yŏnghwa Ch'al-yŏngso
IndustryAnimation
FoundedSeptember 7, 1957 (1957-09-07)[1]
HeadquartersOt'an-dong, Central District,
Pyongyang
,
North Korea
Key people
Jun Ok Kim
Number of employees
900 (2014)[2]
ParentKorean Film Council Edit this on Wikidata
SEK Studio
Chosŏn'gŭl
조선4·26만화영화촬영소
Hancha
朝鮮4·26漫畵映畵撮影所
Revised RomanizationJoseon 4.26 Adong Yeonghwa Chwal-yeongso
McCune–ReischauerChosŏn 4.26 Atong Yŏnghwa Ch'al-yŏngso

Korean April 26 Animation Studio[3] (Korean: 조선4·26만화영화촬영소; lit. "Korean April 26 Animation Film Studio") is a state-owned North Korean animation studio, based in Ot'an-dong, Central District, Pyongyang.[4]

History

The studio started operations in September 1957, as 4.26 Children's Film Studio (4.26아동영화촬영소).[1]

SEK Studio worked with foreign animators and companies with relative frequency for a North Korean operation throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Around 1985, it began to outsource animation for European television.[5] It has also done subcontracting work on over 250 foreign animations. They mainly worked on subcontracting Russian, Italian, French, Spanish and Chinese animation, with American animation being outsourced in an indirect way.

SEK has done work on several animated series with Mondo TV, including Pocahontas: Princess of the American Indians[6] and Simba the King Lion,[7][8][9] (due to these two, it has been repeatedly misinformed that SEK has worked for The Walt Disney Company). SEK also has produced features such as the French science fiction epic Gandahar (The Light Years) and Empress Chung.[10]

It was registered as the SEK Studio which stands for Scientific Educational Korea in 1997 in order to take part in an animation festival in France.[11]

According to Cinemaweb, "The Simpsons Movie was the most prominent US project that SEK helped with", while other "projects" the studio was involved with were "Futurama: Bender's Big Score and even an episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender."[12] According to the Korean Film Council, SEK Studio outsourced episode 72 of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series).[13]

Recently, international collaborations between SEK Studio and other nations has declined significantly, with only China co-producing content. This can largely be attributed to rising tensions between North Korea and the Western Community, notably the United States.[14] SEK Studio participated in "Shijiazhuang International Animation Exhibition" on September 30, 2014.[15] SEK Studio is expected to introduce a new science fiction genre animation.[16] Since 2010s, SEK studio has contracted with many animation studios in China and outsourced in Chinese TV series, web animations, game graphics and commercials. SEK is currently pursuing large-scale projects with Chinese animation companies. It relates to web animated series that will be produced in China.[17]

According to The Pyongyang Times, the studio helps children develop judgement, thinking and reasoning skills, and the studio contributes to the intellectual and ideological education of the people, rejecting the creation of cartoons for purely amusement.[18]

In December 2021, the US Treasury accused SEK Studio and companies and individuals related to it, of exploiting North Korean workers to earn foreign currency and avoid sanctions on North Korea.[19]

Previous Names

SEK Studio was founded in 1957 as April 26 Children’s Animation Film Studio.[14]

SEK Studio today

As of 2003, SEK Studio employed over 1,500[11] or 1,600[20] people and subcontracted work for over 70 companies from around the globe, including Europe, South Korea, China, Canada and the United States. After the introduction of advanced equipment, the number of employees was reduced to about 500.[21] There are 11 animation production teams in SEK Studio, 9 production teams are responsible for overseas animations subcontracting, and the 2 production teams produce domestic animations.[22] According to Animation Career Review, SEK is the 85th most influential animation studio of all-time. SEK Studio's staff is mostly from Pyongyang Art Academy, and SEK Studio has established an animation training institute to teach young students.[23]

In 2014, SEK Studio cooperated with Chinese companies to establish an office in Beijing. SEK Studio also invested $70,000 in Chinese companies.[24] Most employees are in their twenties.[18]

Much of the work produced by SEK Studio is considered to be propaganda for North Korean children, with SEK Studio being state-owned and creating animation intended for a young audience.[14]

Filmography

SEK has provided animation for the following works:[25]

Television

SEK Studio has produced over 300 Animations.

English title Original title Year Notes
Oksoe Defeats a Devil[26] 2020 First released December 2020, features 5.1 sound
Ko Jomung [3] 고주몽 2016- Updated to 34 episodes, also translated as Ko Jo Mong.[18]
The Boy General (Series 2) 소년장수 (2부) 2015-2019 50 episodes, ended in 2019.
Two Boys who Found the Answer 답을 찾은 두 소년 2015
Awangnyo Finds out Fire for Kindling[26] 불씨를 찾은 아왕녀 2012
Ants to Suri Mountain 수리봉으로 간 깜장이 2012
Ant and Big Centipede 개미와 왕지네 2012
Byeolnam and Rubber Ball 별남이와 고무공 2011
Singsing's Golden Fleece 씽씽이의 금빛털옷 2011
The Bustle Caused by Scale Brothers 저울형제가 일으킨 소동 2010
Long Long Sunday 긴긴 일요일 2009
The Enchanted Mountain 금강산 팔선녀 2008 A film based on the Korean fairy tale "The Fairy and the Woodcutter"
A Greedy Dog 욕심많은 개 2008 Based on the Aesop Fable The Dog and Its Reflection.
Heungbu and Nolbu 흥부와 놀부 2008 A film based on the Korean fairy tale Heungbu and Nolbu
Photographed by Chalkak 찰칵이가 찍은 사진 2008
Stonefish Brothers 쏠치형제들 2007
The Oriole's Song 꾀꼴새가 부른 노래 2007
Squirrel and Hedgehog (Series 2) 다람이와 고슴도치 (2부) 2006-2012? The show was discontinued after episode 32 in 2012 for reasons unknown.
The Lazy Pig 놀고 먹던 꿀꿀이 2006 Remake of the 1969 film
A Butterfly and a Cock [3] 나비와 수닭 2006 Remake of the 1976 film
A Boy Defeats Robbers 도적을 쳐부신 소년 2006 Remake of the 1983 film
Two Friends Drinking Spring Water 샘물을 마신 두동무 2006
Tong Tong's Story 통통이가 들려준 이야기 2006
Let's Keep the Traffic Order 교통질서를 잘 지키자요 2006- Traffic Safety Animated Series for Kids
A Chodong and Father 초동이와 아버지 2005
A Cat and Kids 야웅이와 꼬마들 2004
A Little Squirrel in Tolbaegol 돌배골의 꼬마 청서 2004
Grandpa's Mirror 할아버지가 준 거울 2003
The Bell 방울소리 1999-2005 7 episodes, ended in 2005.
Prince Hodong and the Princess of Nakrang 호동왕자와 락랑공주 1990
Clever Raccoon Dog 령리한 너구리 1987-2012 [27]
Welcome to Pyongyang Festival 평양 축전에 오신걸 환영합니다 1989
Monkey Brothers 원숭이 형제 1985
Three Friends 세 동무 1985
A Winged Horse 날개달린 룡마 1983
A Hedgehog Defeats a Tiger 호랑이를 이긴 고슴도치 1983
A Boy Defeats Robbers 도적을 쳐부신 소년 1983
The Boy General 소년장수 1982-1996 50 episodes, ended in 1996.
Gun Shooters 포쏘기 선수들 1978
Squirrel and Hedgehog 다람이와 고슴도치 (Series 1) 1977-2005 26 episodes, ended in 2005.
Raccoon Dog's Height Measurement 너구리의 높이재기 1976
A Butterfly and a Rooster 나비와 수탉 1976
Why did the dog cry? 멍멍이는 왜 울었나? 1974
A Little Tree and Sudong 애기나무와 수동이 1972
The Lazy Pig 놀고 먹던 꿀꿀이 1969
Time Bomb 시한폭탄 1967 Anti-USA Propaganda Film
Pig's Pumpkin Seeds 꿀꿀이의 호박씨 196?
Dog and Cat 멍멍이와 야웅이 1965
Little Red Star 꼬마붉은별 1961
Swallow Brothers 제비 삼형제 1961
Our Hill 우리 동산 1959 SEK Studio's First Animation Film
Blue Spring[3] 파란샘물
A Gold Nugget and Maize Cakes[3] 황금덩이와 강낭떡
Slug Raccoon[3] 느렁뱅이 너구리
Bears' Village and Hares' Village[3] 곰동산과 토끼동산
The Story of Two Generals[3] 두 장군 이야기

Animation services

This section needs expansion with: information on local productions from this company. You can help by adding to it. (December 2019)

The list below is a part of the works outsourced by SEK studio.

Title Year Notes
Bu-Bum! La strada verso casa [it] 2016 With Rai Fiction
Sissi The Young Empress 2016
Egyxos [it] 2015 With Rai Fiction and Musicartoon
Flower Angel [zh] 2014 With Shanghai Taomee Network [zh], Chinese Magical girl animated series
Stan Lee's Mighty 7 2014
Star Key [it] 2014 Italian television animated series, With Gama Movie Animation and Rai Fiction
Le straordinarie avventure di Jules Verne [it] 2013
Il sogno di Brent [it] 2013 With Rai Fiction and Lucky Dreams
Baskup Tony Parker [fr] 2011 French television animated series, With Télé images kids and The Walt Disney Company France
Spike Team 2010 Italian series
Giovanni e Paolo e il Mistero dei Pupi 2010
Chumballs 2009
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2009 Chinese-Japanese Co-produced animated series based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Angel's Friends 2008 Produced by Mondo TV
Avatar: The Last Airbender 2007 Episode "The Awakening", outsourced by MOI Animation Studio
Jurassic Cubs 2007
Padre Pio 2006
Foot 2 rue [fr] 2005 Italian-French series
La cuisine est un jeu d'enfants [fr] 2004 French series
The Boy 2003
The Spaghetti Family 2003 Italian series produced by Mondo TV
Pororo the Little Penguin 2003 Season 1 (26 episodes); credited as Sam-Cheon-Ri
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 Episode 72 (1 Episodes); uncredited
Raindrop, water is adventure 2002 Produced by Motion Pictures, S.A., TVE, TV3 and TVV
The Bellflower Bunnies 2001 Season 1 (4 episodes)
Lazy Cat Dinga 2001 With Hanaro Telecom; credited as Sam-Cheon-Ri
Prudence Petitpas 2001
Marcelino Pan y Vino 2001 Japanese series
Bécassine et le Trésor viking [fr] 2001 French series
Narigota 2001
Les enfants de Toromiro 2000
Les Aventures outre-mer [fr] 2000
La Princesse du Nil [fr] 1999 1999 Animated Series
Sophie's Misfortunes 1998
Dragon Flyz 1996 French-American television animated series
Princess Sheherazade 1996
Papa Beaver's Storytime 1993 1999 episodes; credited as Studio SEK
Pocahontas: Princess of the American Indians 1998 Television animated series, Produced by Mondo TV, Directed by Orlando Corradi
Simba the King Lion 1997 Television animated series, Produced by Mondo TV
Bamboo Bears 1995
Davy Crockett 1994
Les Misérables 1992
Pif and Hercules 1989 Credited as Studio S.E.K.
Ernest Le Vampire [fr] 1989

Film

Title Year Notes
Futurama: Bender's Big Score 2007 Outsourced by Rough Draft Studios
The Simpsons Movie 2007 Outsourced by Rough Draft Studios
Little Soldier Zhang Ga 2005
Le petit Wang 2005
Tentacolino 2004 Produced by Mondo TV[5]
Corto Maltese, la cour secrète des arcanes [fr] 2002
The Legend of the Titanic 1999 Produced by Mondo TV[5]
Gandahar (Light Years) 1988 [5]
How Wang-Fo Was Saved 1987

In popular culture

Canadian animator and cartoonist Guy Delisle documented his experiences whilst working at the SEK Studio in his graphic novel, Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea,[28] because SEK studio subcontracted the Corto Maltese animation.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Yonhap News (December 26, 2001). 北`4.26아동영화촬영소` 아동영화 다수 창작 (in Korean). Tongil News. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  2. ^ A Short History of North Korea’s Animation Industry
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Korean Film". korfilm.com.kp. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  4. ^ "Korea SEK Company". Naenara. Archived from the original on February 13, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d "Korean-made Cartoon Films Win Popular Acclaim among Animation Film Fan[s] in Europe". PK Report from Pyongyang. The People's Korea. December 26, 2001. Archived from the original on February 23, 2002. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  6. ^ "Mondo tv S.P.A - LIBRARY Pocahontas". Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  7. ^ Khorsand, Solmaz (April 2007). "Knuddelachse". Datum (in German). Archived from the original on July 17, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  8. ^ Park Chan-Kyong (February 5, 2007). "North Korea supplies laughs as well as lethal weapons". North Korean Economy Watch. AFP.
  9. ^ "Mondo tv S.P.A - LIBRARY Simba the King Lion". Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  10. ^ Russell, Mark (August 31, 2005). "Uniting the Two Koreas, in Animated Films at Least". The New York Times.
  11. ^ a b Susan Kitchens (March 3, 2003). "Axis of animation". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 4, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  12. ^ Anthony Kao (June 6, 2018). "A Short History of North Korea's Animation Industry". Cinema Escapist. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  13. ^ "North Korean animation industry, Expansion into overseas markets" 남북 애니메이션 교류 백서 (PDF) (in Korean). Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  14. ^ a b c "A Short History of North Korea's Animation Industry". Cinema Escapist. June 6, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  15. ^ "북한 애니메이션 산업 육성, 해외진출 확대 전망" (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  16. ^ "북한 "SF애니 과학기술 역군 육성위한 중대한 과업"" (in Korean). April 18, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  17. ^ "韩媒:朝鲜动画达国际水准 用动画片教育孩子" (in Chinese). Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  18. ^ a b c "Prolific animated cartoon producer". www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "US targets Chinese, North Korean firms with sanctions". AFP. December 10, 2021.
  20. ^ "North Korea Quietly Emerges as Major Player in Animation Industry". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  21. ^ "북한의 비교우위 산업은?...애니메이션!" (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  22. ^ "북 대표적인 아동영화 제작소 '조선4.26아동영화촬영소'" (in Korean). Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  23. ^ Fronczak, Tom. "Top 100 Most Influential Animation Studios of All-Time". Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  24. ^ "中 북한 대중투자 금지 조치의 영향은?" (in Korean). Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  25. ^ "SEK Animation Studio [kp]". IMDb. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  26. ^ a b "Oksoe Defeats a Devil wows cartoon fans". www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  27. ^ "Title not available" (PDF) (in Korean). Korea Culture & Travel Institute. 2012. pp. 138–39. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  28. ^ Delisle, Guy (2004). Pyongyang: A Journey into North Korean. Montreal: Drawn and Quarterly.
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