SAMG Entertainment Looks to Extend “Heartsping: Teenieping of Love” Momentum as Korean Animation Expands in Theaters

SAMG Entertainment(CEO Kim Su-hoon), the global IP content company, is building on the momentum of Heartsping: Teenieping of Love, one of the few homegrown Korean animated films to achieve major theatrical success in recent years.

Known for original franchises including Catch! Teenieping, Miniforce, and Metal Cardbot, the company has grown beyond animation production into live shows, consumer products, licensing, and location-based experiences. That broader ecosystem has helped establish SAMG Entertainment as one of Korea’s leading IP-driven content companies.

Among its portfolio, Catch! Teenieping has become the company’s flagship franchise. What began as a television series has expanded into feature films, stage productions, merchandise, and licensing, demonstrating how an original Korean animation IP can grow into a multi-platform entertainment business. Unlike many animated box-office hits in Korea based on imported properties, Teenieping was conceived and developed domestically, making its success particularly meaningful for the local animation industry.

That momentum reached a new milestone with Heartsping: Teenieping of Love, released in 2024. The film attracted 1.24 million admissions and earned a 97% Golden Egg audience score on CGV, Korea’s largest cinema chain. Drawing not only children but also parents, it established itself as a family title with broad cross-generational appeal. More importantly, its performance demonstrated that Korean-created animation IP could compete in theaters while supporting a broader consumer products and licensing business.

SAMG Entertainment now aims to continue that momentum with its second theatrical feature, Teenieping: Legend of the Whale Heartstone, opening in Korea on August 5. Directed once again by Kim Su-hoon, the sequel moves its story to a vast ocean setting and takes on a significantly more ambitious production scale.

To bring its fantasy ocean world to life, the production team invested heavily in simulation techniques and color design, pushing the studio’s technical capabilities beyond those of the first film. Art Director Seo Bo-guk explained that the team sought to create a broad spectrum of blues—from bright open skies to the darkness of the deep sea—while preserving the warmth that defines the franchise’s visual identity.

The film also reflects SAMG Entertainment’s continued investment in 3D animation, particularly in expressive character performance and cinematic world-building. Building on its success in Korea, the company is expanding overseas distribution and licensing as it continues to grow the global reach of its original IP.

Music also plays a larger role in the sequel. The soundtrack features NCT WISH member Jaehee, Hearts2Hearts members Yuha and Ye-on, acclaimed vocalist Baek Ji-young, actress Jung Ji-so, and Sing Again runner-up Gwen Dorado. Their performances are designed to deepen the film’s emotional storytelling while broadening its appeal across generations.

A SAMG Entertainment spokesperson said, “Heartsping: Teenieping of Love demonstrated the growing potential of original Korean animation to connect with mainstream audiences. We will continue investing in original IP and high-quality storytelling while expanding the global reach of Korean animation through our content.”