Over the years, Korean animation has become a large player in the international field. Animation studios from the peninsula have been known for working on cartoons from around the world. For example, The Simpsons has outsourced animation to AKOM Production, Ltd., a South Korean animation studio, for years, something which has often been poked fun about in the series itself. In addition, Japanese anime has also been known to outsource work to Korean animation studios.
There have also been Korean animated films, covering multiple genres. Unlike Japanese anime, Korean animation is rarely based on local comics, called manhwa, but there are a variety of stories that have inspired the country's animators, from local folk-heroes to foreign operas.
10 A Story Of Hong Gildong — Korea's answer to Robin Hood
Hong Gildong is like Korea's answer to Robin Hood and is considered one of the peninsula's first "main characters." There are different versions of his story, but in this animated version, Hong Gildong is the illegitimate son of a prime minister who grows up to be a chivalrous thief that helps the poor.
Despite the schemes of corrupt authorities, Hong Gildong goes on to create a rebellion, build his own country, and even become a king. Unlike Robin Hood, Hong Gildong also has a few magic tricks up his sleeve, with this taking place in an animated world with dragons and dancing skeletons. Notably, this animated film is believed to be one of the first animated films from South Korea.
9 Heungbu & Nolbu — this is a story about the importance of family & forgiveness
This stop-motion animated film revolves around two brothers: one kind, but poor, the other rich and cruel. After showing kindness to an injured bird, the poor brother ends up making a friend in a high place: the Queen of the Swallows, who rules a kingdom in the skies. He is rewarded with great fortune, saving his family from poverty.
Unfortunately, his greedy brother and sister-in-law try to replicate his good luck with dire consequences: having to face a tiger, ghosts, and even a fire-breathing dragon. But in the end, this is a story about the importance of family and forgiveness.
8 Kongjui & Patjui — This stop-motion film is based upon a South Korean folktale reminiscent of the Cinderella story
This stop-motion film is based upon a South Korean folktale reminiscent of the Cinderella story. Kongjui is treated like a servant by her wicked stepmother and stepsister Patjui, but she manages to overcome their schemes with the help of her animal friends. Thanks to a lost shoe, she goes on to become the bride of the governor. Unfortunately, this is when the story takes a dark turn; Patjui ends up killing Kongjui so she can take her place as the governor's wife.
Of course, like in all good fairy tales, good triumphs over evil: the real Kongjui is restored to life and her stepmother and stepsister are destroyed in a lightning storm. Interestingly, Patjui and her mother got off easy compared to the original story, where Kongjui's husband plans an act of revenge straight out of Titus Andronicus.
7 Empress Chung — The story is based on a Korean folktale about a young girl who allows herself to be sacrificed in the hopes of restoring her blind father's sight
This animated film is notable for having been a co-production between North and South Korean animation studios, in addition to being released simultaneously in both countries. The story is based on a Korean folktale about a young girl who allows herself to be sacrificed in the hopes of restoring her blind father's sight. After giving herself to the sea, she finds herself in a fantasy world of fish-like beings.
However, there is one more interesting tidbit about the film that makes watching it tricky: it virtually became a lost film almost immediately after its initial release, having never been given a home release. In other words, anyone who somehow comes across this film should know how lucky they are.
6 Turandot — it tells the story of the haughty princess Turandot, who refuses to marry any man unless they can guess her three riddles
Based on the famous opera, this animated film, an Italian-Korean co-production, tells the story of the haughty princess Turandot, who refuses to marry any man unless they can guess her three riddles. And if they fail, the penalty is death. Eventually, a mysterious man appears who is able to answer all three riddles and put an end to the ice princess' cruel game. But he will allow her to escape marriage on one condition: if she can guess his true name. Unfortunately, finding out the prince's real name will come at the cost of the one who loves him most.
While the plot of the opera is adapted into a dialogue-based story, many of the classic songs are retained. In the English version of the film, at least, the songs are kept in their original Italian.
5 My Beautiful Girl Mari — the message that leaving things behind can be inevitable seems to ring true
A lonely boy named Kim Nam-woo gets away from the problems of life, like his mother's new boyfriend or his best friend moving away. He creates an elaborate dream world, where he encounters a silent, white-haired girl named Mari.
As the film goes on, it becomes unclear if the dream world is only imagined or if there is something magical going on, but as the story goes on, the message that leaving things behind can be inevitable seems to ring true.
4 Yobi, The Five-Tailed Fox — it is a story combining Korean mythology & science-fiction
In a story combining Korean mythology with science-fiction, aliens crash-land on a mountain near the home of a five-tailed fox. During an attempt to return to their home planet, one of them ends up running away, causing the fox to disguise herself into a human girl to save him.
While in her new form, she befriends a human boy, but things become dangerous when a fox hunter enters the story, as well as a being who will grant the fox humanity at a price: a human soul.
3 Swimming To The Sea — a film that is darker than other animated films in the talking fish genre
Also known as Padak or Padakpadak, this computer-animated film might feature talking fish, but is a bit darker than other animated films in the talking fish genre. Focusing on the fish living in a Korean sushi restaurant tank, a mackerel, nicknamed "Flappy," from the ocean attempts to escape while contending with an antagonistic flatfish.
The story gradually gets darker and darker, with Flappy's allies quickly dying off, and she herself is eventually driven to such hunger that she eats an aquarium full of clownfish. Eventually, at least one of the fish does escape, but it isn't necessarily the one you'd expect.
2 Leafie, A Hen Into The Wild — its story teaches a valuable lesson on the complicated nature of the food chain
This film revolves around a hen named Leafie who escapes into the wild, hatches a duck's egg, and becomes the ensuing duckling's adoptive mother. Soon, this will become a story about family differences, inter-species relations, a one-eyed weasel, and muscular ducks.
The story's exact ending varies upon which version you watch. Some foreign releases edit the film to have a slightly less ambiguous happy ending by ending on a happy note. The original actually has Leafie sacrificing her life so that another mother won't have to face the loss of her children, teaching a valuable lesson on the complicated nature of the food chain.
1 Red Shoes & The Seven Dwarfs — this is a story about not judging by appearances & taking pride in who you really are
This animated film puts a spin on the popular Western fairy tale. The princess Snow White accidentally stole a pair of shapeshifting shoes from her wicked stepmother, the dwarves are actually enchanted knights looking for a way to change back, and the queen has a really sadistic way of staying the fairest of them all.
Added to that, there's a fairy princess who looks like a witch and a very average prince. In the end, this is a story about not judging by appearances and taking pride in who you really are.