SEK Studio

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SEK Studio
Native name
조선4.26만화영화촬영소
TypeState-owned
Industry
Genre
FoundedSeptember 7, 1957 (1957-09-07)[1]
HeadquartersOt'an-dong, Central District,
Pyongyang
,
North Korea
Key people
Jun Ok Kim
OwnerGovernment of North Korea
Number of employees
~900 (2014)[2]
SEK Studio
Hangul
조선4.26만화영화촬영소
Hanja
朝鮮4.26漫畫映畫撮影所
RRJoseon 4.26 manhwa yeonghwa chwaryeongso
MRChosŏn 4.26 manhwa yŏnghwa ch'waryŏngso

Korean April 26 Animation Studio[3] (Korean: 조선4.26만화영화촬영소), also known as SEK Studio (an abbreviation of "Scientific Educational Korea"), is a state-owned North Korean animation studio. It is based in Ot'an-dong, Central District, Pyongyang.[4]

History

The studio was founded on September 1957 as April 26 Children's Film Studio (4.26아동영화촬영소).[1]

SEK Studio worked with foreign animators and companies with relative frequency for a North Korean operation during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Around 1985, it worked on outsourced animation for European television.[5] It worked on over 250 foreign animations. It mainly worked on subcontracted Russian, Italian, French, Spanish and Chinese animation, while working indirectly on outsourced American animation.

SEK worked on several animated series with Mondo TV, including Pocahontas: Princess of the American Indians[6] and Simba the King Lion.[7][8] SEK also produced animated features such as Gandahar and Empress Chung.[9]

In 1997, in order to take part in an animation festival in France, it registered as the "Scientific & Educational Film Studio of Korea". SEK is an abbreviation of this name.[10]

According to Cinema Escapist, its most prominent US projects were The Simpsons Movie, Futurama: Bender's Big Score, and an episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender.[2] According to the Korean Film Council, SEK Studio worked on episode 72 of the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.[11]

Recently, collaborations between SEK Studio and other nations have declined, with only China co-producing content. This can be attributed to rising tensions between North Korea and the West, especially the United States.[2]

As of 2003, SEK Studio employed over 1,500[10] or 1,600[12] people and worked 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.[13] There are 11 animation production teams in SEK Studio. Nine are responsible for overseas animations, and two produce domestic animations.[14]

Since 2010s, SEK studio has subcontracted many animation studios in China and outsourced Chinese TV series, web animations, game graphics and commercials. In 2014, SEK Studio cooperated with Chinese companies to establish an office in Beijing. SEK Studio has invested $70,000 in Chinese companies.[15]

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.[16] In April 2024, a server leak revealed that some Western television series, such as Invincible and Iyanu: Child of Wonder, as well as the Japanese anime series Dahlia in Bloom, had been worked on by SEK Studio, despite sanctions.[17][18] The official Twitter account of the anime issued a statement, saying that "neither the production committee nor the production studio were aware". The studio working on the anime, Ekachi Epilka, also posted on their homepage that their work files was used without their permission, and denied involvement with SEK Studio. They speculated that the leak came from a subcontracted company.[19]

SEK Studio's staff is mostly composed of Pyongyang Art Academy graduates, and SEK Studio has established an animation training institute to teach young students.

Much of the work produced by SEK Studio is considered to be propaganda for North Korean children, as SEK Studio is state-owned.[2]

Previous names

SEK Studio was founded in 1957 as April 26 Children's Animation Film Studio.[2]

  • Korean National Film Studio – Puppet Animation Film Research Institute (1957–1959)
  • Korean National Film Studio – Animation Film Studio (1959–1960)
  • Korean National Film Studio – Animation Film Production (1960–1964)
  • Korean Children's Film Studio (1964–1971)
  • Korean Science Education Film Studio – Animation Film Production Team (1971–1980)
  • Korean Science Education Film Studio – Children's Film Production Team (1980–1996)
  • Korean 4.26 Children's Film Studio (1996–2013)
  • Korean April 26 Animation Studio (2013–)[3]

Filmography

Source:[20]

Television

SEK Studio has produced over 300 animations.

English titleOriginal titleYearNotes
The Young Challengers나어린 도전자들2026–presentAired on 11 May 2026. [21]
Prince Hodong and the Princess of Nakrang호동왕자와 락랑공주2023–2026Updated to 12 episodes. Remake of the 1990 film.
Last Match마지막 경기2022
Pine tree replanted다시 심은 잣나무2021
Diary of a Little Photographer꼬마촬영가의 일기2021
Oksoe Defeats a Devil[22] 악마를 이긴 억쇠 2020 First released December 2020, features 5.1 sound.
Kimbap made by Hyuk혁이가 만든 김밥2019
A day of Camping야영의 하루2018
Our House Rabbit우리 집 토끼2017
Ko Jomung[3]고주몽2016–202550 episodes (also transliterated as Ko Jo Mong)[23]
The Boy General (Series 2)소년장수 (2부)2015–201950 episodes (51-100)
Two Boys who Found the Answer답을 찾은 두 소년2015
Awangnyo Finds out Fire for Kindling[22]불씨를 찾은 아왕녀2012
Ants to Suri Mountain수리봉으로 간 깜장이2012
Ant and Big Centipede개미와 왕지네2012
Byeolnam and Rubber Ball별남이와 고무공2011
Singsing's Golden Fleece씽씽이의 금빛털옷2011
The Bustle Caused by Scale Brothers저울형제가 일으킨 소동2010
Young Warriors of Goguryeo고구려의 젊은 무사들2010–20147 episodes
An ant with wings날개를 단 개미2009
Long Long Sunday긴긴 일요일2009
The Enchanted Mountain금강산 팔선녀2008A film based on the Korean fairy tale "The Fairy and the Woodcutter".
The Red Star빨간별2008–2012Stop-motion animation. 12 episodes.
A Greedy Dog욕심많은 개2008Based on the Aesop Fable "The Dog and Its Reflection".
Heungbu and Nolbu흥부와 놀부2008A film based on the Korean fairy tale Heungbu and Nolbu.
Photographed by Chalkak찰칵이가 찍은 사진2008
Stonefish Brothers쏠치형제들2007
The Oriole's Song꾀꼴새가 부른 노래2007
Squirrel and Hedgehog (Series 2)다람이와 고슴도치 (2부)2006–2012The show was discontinued after episode 32 for unknown reasons.
The Lazy Pig놀고 먹던 꿀꿀이2006Remake of the 1969 film.
A Butterfly and a Cock [3]나비와 수닭2006Remake of the 1976 film.
A Boy Defeats Robbers도적을 쳐부신 소년2006Remake of the 1983 film.
Two Friends Drinking Spring Water샘물을 마신 두동무2006
Tong Tong's Story통통이가 들려준 이야기2006
Let's Keep the Traffic Order교통질서를 잘 지키자요2006–2023Updated to 24 episodes. Traffic safety animated series for kids.
A Chodong and Father초동이와 아버지2005
A Cat and Kids야웅이와 꼬마들2004
A little Squirrel in Tolbaegol돌배골의 꼬마 청서2004
A little painter꼬마화가2003North Korea's first computer-generated imagery animation.
Grandpa's Mirror할아버지가 준 거울2003
Three friends in fantasy환상속의 세 동무2002The first 3D animation by SEK Studio.
The Bell방울소리1999–20057 episodes
Prince Hodong and the Princess of Nakrang호동왕자와 락랑공주1990
Welcome to Pyongyang Festival평양 축전에 오신걸 환영합니다1989Animation on the occasion of 13th World Festival of Youth and Students.
Clever Raccoon Dog령리한 너구리1987–2012, 2021–2026Updated to 88 episodes.[24]
Monkey Brothers원숭이 형제1985
Three Friends세 동무1985
A Winged Horse날개달린 룡마1983
Pencil Bomb연필 폭탄1983Anti-American propaganda.
A Hedgehog Defeats a Tiger호랑이를 이긴 고슴도치1983
A Boy Defeats Robbers도적을 쳐부신 소년1983
The Boy General소년장수1982–199650 episodes (1-50)
Gun Shooters포쏘기 선수들1978
Squirrel and Hedgehog다람이와 고슴도치 (Series 1)1977–1982, 1997–200526 episodes
Raccoon Dog's Height Measurement너구리의 높이재기1976
A Butterfly and a Cock [3]나비와 수닭1976
Whose Talent is Best?누구의 재주가 제일 일가?1976
Brave Wild Goose용감한 기러기1975
The Rabbit with The Big Ears귀가 큰 토끼1974
Why did the dog cry?멍멍이는 왜 울었나?1974
How Raccoon prepared for winter너구리의 겨울차비1974
A Little Tree and Sudong애기나무와 수동이1972
The Lazy Pig놀고 먹던 꿀꿀이1969
Time Bomb시한폭탄1967Anti-American propaganda.
Pig's Pumpkin Seeds꿀꿀이의 호박씨1967
Burned Squad of Flies불타버린 쉬팔리 부대1966Anti-American propaganda.
The Good Brother의좋은 형제1966
Dog and Cat멍멍이와 야웅이1965
Brother and Sister오누이1964
The Little Flower Pot작은 화분1964
Yawoong caught in fishing낚시에 걸린 야웅이1962
Deer and Tiger사슴과 호랑이1962
Merry Field흥겨운 들판1962
Little Red Star꼬마붉은별1961
Swallow Brothers제비 삼형제1961
The Greedy Pig욕심많은 돼지1960
Our Hill우리 동산1959SEK Studio's first animation.
Blue Spring[3] 파란샘물 2004
A Gold Nugget and Maize Cakes[3] 황금덩이와 강낭떡 Made sometime in the 80s-90s.
Slug Raccoon[3] 느렁뱅이 너구리 Believed to have been made in the 80s-mid 90s.
Bears' Village and Hares' Village[3] 곰동산과 토끼동산 Made sometime during 1996-2004.
The Story of Two Generals[3] 두 장군 이야기 Made sometime during 2005-2008, remake of 1976 short.

Outsourced animations

This is a partial list of the works outsourced by SEK Studio.

TitleYearNotes
Invincible2024[17]
Iyanu: Child of Wonder2024[17]
Dahlia in Bloom2024[18]
Anatane et les enfants d'Okura2019Project started on 2006, halted until 2019, Studio SEK credited on first episode, credits removed depending masters.
Bu-Bum! La strada verso casa2016With Rai Fiction
Sissi The Young Empress2016
Egyxos2015With Rai Fiction and Musicartoon
Flower Angel2014With Shanghai Taomee Network, Chinese magical girl animated series
Stan Lee's Mighty 72014
Star Key2014Italian television animated series, with Gama Movie Animation and Rai Fiction
Le straordinarie avventure di Jules Verne2013
Il sogno di Brent2013With Rai Fiction and Lucky Dreams
Baskup Tony Parker2011French television animated series, with Télé images kids and The Walt Disney Company France
Spike Team2010Italian series
Giovanni e Paolo e il Mistero dei Pupi2010
Chumballs2009
Romance of the Three Kingdoms2009Chinese-Japanese co-produced animated series based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Angel's Friends2008Produced by Mondo TV
Avatar: The Last Airbender2007Season 3, Episode 1 "The Awakening", outsourced by MOI Animation Studio
Jurassic Cubs2007
Padre Pio2006
Foot 2 rue2005Italian-French series
La cuisine est un jeu d'enfants2004French series
The Boy2003
The Spaghetti Family2003Italian series produced by Mondo TV
Pororo the Little Penguin2003Season 1 (26 episodes); credited as Sam-Cheon-Ri
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles2003Episode 72; uncredited
Raindrop, water is adventure2002Produced by Motion Pictures, S.A., TVE, TV3 and TVV
The Bellflower Bunnies2001Season 1 (4 episodes)
Lazy Cat Dinga2001With Hanaro Telecom; credited as Sam-Cheon-Ri
Prudence Petitpas2001
Marcelino Pan y Vino2001Japanese series
Bécassine et le Trésor viking2001French series
Narigota2001
Les enfants de Toromiro2000
Les Aventures outre-mer2000
La Princesse du Nil1999
Sophie's Misfortunes1998
Dragon Flyz1996French-American television animated series
Princess Sheherazade1996
Papa Beaver's Storytime19931999 episodes; credited as Studio SEK
Pocahontas: Princess of the American Indians1998Television animated series, produced by Mondo TV, directed by Orlando Corradi
Simba the King Lion1997Television animated series, co-produced by Mondo TV
Bamboo Bears1995
Davy Crockett1994
Les Misérables1992
Pif and Hercules1989Credited as Studio S.E.K.
Ernest Le Vampire1989

Film

TitleYearNotes
Futurama: Bender's Big Score2007Outsourced by Rough Draft Studios
The Simpsons Movie2007Outsourced by Rough Draft Studios
Little Soldier Zhang Ga2005
Le petit Wang2005
Tentacolino2004Produced by Mondo TV[5]
Corto Maltese, la cour secrète des arcanes2002
The Legend of the Titanic 1999 Produced by Mondo TV[5]
Gandahar (Light Years)1988[5]
How Wang-Fo Was Saved1987

Canadian animator and cartoonist Guy Delisle documented his experience working at SEK Studio in his graphic novel, Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea.

See also

References

  1. Yonhap News (December 26, 2001). 北`4.26아동영화촬영소` 아동영화 다수 창작 (in Korean). Tongil News. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  2. Kao, Anthony (June 6, 2018). "A Short History of North Korea's Animation Industry". Cinema Escapist. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  3. "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. "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. Russell, Mark (August 31, 2005). "Uniting the Two Koreas, in Animated Films at Least". The New York Times.
  10. Susan Kitchens (March 3, 2003). "Axis of animation". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 4, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  11. 남북 애니메이션 교류 백서 (PDF). Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (in Korean). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  12. "North Korea Quietly Emerges as Major Player in Animation Industry". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  13. 북한의 비교우위 산업은?...애니메이션!. ONBAO (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 9, 2018.
  14. 북 대표적인 아동영화 제작소 '조선4.26아동영화촬영소'. The Tongil Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  15. "中 북한 대중투자 금지 조치의 영향은?". KOTRA (in Korean). September 22, 2017.
  16. "US targets Chinese, North Korean firms with sanctions". AFP. December 10, 2021. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021 – via Yahoo News.
  17. Lyngaas, Sean (April 22, 2024). "Documents found on a North Korean server suggest US studios may have unknowingly outsourced animation work". CNN. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  18. Nwaenie, Chike (April 23, 2024). "New Isekai Anime Series Believed to Have Been Outsourced to North Korea". CBR.
  19. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 24, 2024). "Dahlia in Bloom Staff, Ekachi Epilka Studio Respond to Report Claiming N. Korean Animators Worked on Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  20. "SEK Animation Studio [kp]". IMDb. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  21. "The Young Challengers EP1 / 나어린 도전자들 - (제1부) - Koryo TV". Koryo.tv. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  22. "Oksoe Defeats a Devil wows cartoon fans". The Pyongyang Times. March 10, 2021. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021.
  23. "Prolific animated cartoon producer". The Pyongyang Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020.
  24. "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.