SAMG Entertainment and SM Entertainment Team Up on New Global K-Pop Animation Franchise

• – New franchise project targets audiences from their teens through their 30s, with a global OTT release planned for 2028.

SAMG Entertainment(CEO Kim Su-hoon), a global ‬IP content company, and SM Entertainment have entered into a co-production agreement for a new animated series tentatively titled Superhero Idol, the companies announced on July 27.

The project combines K-pop-inspired storytelling with superhero adventures and is being developed as a large-scale entertainment franchise for global audiences.

The 3D animated series is currently planned as a 13-episode season, with each episode running approximately 20 minutes. A global release through an OTT platform is targeted for 2028, although the episode count, production schedule, and release timeline remain subject to change.

Targeting audiences from their teens through their 30s worldwide, the series will blend the worlds of K-pop artists with original superhero narratives. Through characters and storylines inspired by artist-driven intellectual property, the project aims to engage both dedicated K-pop fans and animation audiences around the world.

The collaboration also reflects SAMG Entertainment’s broader strategy of expanding beyond its established children’s and family entertainment portfolio. Known for hit franchises such as Catch! Teenieping and Metal Cardbot, the company has increasingly focused on reaching older audiences while expanding its global presence.

Beyond the animated series itself, the partners plan to develop the project into a broader entertainment franchise spanning music, concerts, artist management, video content, licensing, and other related businesses. The companies believe the combination of animation’s long-term licensing potential and K-pop’s highly engaged global fan communities will create significant commercial opportunities.

Industry observers note that as streaming platforms continue to compete for proprietary franchises and original content, projects that combine animation and music are attracting growing attention across the entertainment industry. Interest from major global streaming platforms in the project is also said to be increasing.

“Demand for globally oriented animation rooted in Korean culture has grown significantly in recent years,” said Kim Su-hoon, CEO of SAMG Entertainment. “This project has been in development for more than two years and brings together SAMG’s expertise in creating widely loved animated franchises with SM Entertainment’s global leadership in K-pop and its passionate fan community.”

“We believe this collaboration has the potential to become a distinctive global franchise,” Kim added. “Our goal is not only to achieve meaningful success in international markets, but also to create new revenue opportunities across content, music, and licensing through an innovative entertainment business model.”