SAMG ENTERTAINMENT

What SAMG ENTERTAINMENT does

SAMG Entertainment (KOSDAQ: 419530), founded in 2000 in South Korea and formerly known as Samg Animation, is a vertically integrated children's IP content company built around a 25-year CGI animation production capability claimed to be Korea's largest domestic. The company owns and operates a portfolio of original animation franchises including Miniforce (8+ series seasons, multiple theatrical films), Catch! Teenieping (6+ seasons plus theatrical films including the 1.24M-viewer 'Heartsping: Teenieping of Love'), Metal Cardbot (a K-Mecha IP spanning kids and adult collectors), Wish Cat, Super Dino, and Lulupop, alongside co-produced licensed IPs such as Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir and Zak Storm.

The business model monetizes IP across six revenue streams: (1) global media distribution via 40+ localized YouTube channels (57M+ subscribers, 323B+ cumulative views) and OTT platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Youku, EBS) reaching 140+ countries; (2) toy and merchandise sales through Sonokong, Samjin, Young Toys, Bandai, and Gaia with 140+ in-house SKUs; (3) the Emotion Castle direct-to-consumer platform (kids-only OTT, makeover shops, English clubs, theme parks); (4) the THE TEENIEPING brand (own online mall plus flagship stores in Seongsu and Jamsil); (5) brand collaborations with Hyundai, KIA Tigers, LG Twins, K-League clubs, Fila Kids, and the National Folk Museum; and (6) Korean theatrical film releases via Showbox. The Korean content ministry has recognized SAMG with multiple Presidential and Ministerial awards, and the studio received a 2015 Emmy for character animation.

Financially, SAMG executed a clear turnaround in 2025, posting 141.3B KRW consolidated revenue (vs. 95.1B in 2023) and 30.1B KRW net profit (vs. a 19.4B KRW loss in 2024), with Q1 2026 revenue of 37.6B KRW at a 10.31% operating margin and 44% overseas revenue mix. Debt ratio compressed from 216% (end-2024) to 40.1% (Q1 2026). With 101-250 employees, the studio is currently expanding through the Mattel K-Pop Demon Hunters domestic distribution deal (June 2026), a planned China online mall, additional Teenieping Land theme parks, and the August 2026 release of 'Heartsping: Legend of the Whale Heartstone'.

Name

SAMG ENTERTAINMENT

Legal name

주식회사 에스에이엠지엔터테인먼트

Website

https://samg.net

Company type

Public

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SAMG Entertainment is a South Korean KOSDAQ-listed CGI animation studio and kids IP company that creates, distributes, and monetizes original animation franchises (Miniforce, Catch! Teenieping, Metal Cardbot, Wish Cat) through global YouTube (57M+ subscribers), OTT partners (Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Youku), toys, retail stores, theme parks, and brand collaborations across 140+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Gangneung

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Media Content Distribution: Distribution of original animation content through global YouTube channels (57M subscribers, ~323 billion cumulative views), Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Youku, and 40+ international channels. Revenue from content licensing, streaming rights, and advertising.
2. Toy and Merchandise Sales: Planning, design, production, and distribution of toys and merchandise for IP including Catch! Teenieping, Miniforce, Metal Cardbot, and Wish Cat. Full in-house toy lineup with distribution through partners including Sonokong, Samjin, Young Toys, Bandai, and Gaia.
3. Emotion Castle Platform Services: Kids & family service platform including Emotion Castle Cinema (kids-only OTT), Emotion Castle Royal Boutique (premium kids makeover), Emotion Castle Education (premium English kids club), and Emotion Castle Teenieping Land theme parks.
4. Licensing and Collaboration: High-value licensing deals with automotive (Hyundai), sports teams (KIA Tigers, LG Twins, K-League), beauty, retail, and financial brands. Revenue from brand collaborations, co-branded goods, and experiential events.
5. Film/Content Box Office: Theatrical animation releases in Korea, including 'Heartsping: Teenieping of Love' (2024) which achieved 1.24M viewers, and upcoming 'Heartsping: Legend of the Whale Heartstone' slated for August 2026.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SAMG Entertainment is a Korean IP content company that creates and owns original CGI-animated children's TV series and theatrical films (e.g., Miniforce, Catch! Teenieping, Metal Cardbot, Wish Cat, Lulupop, Super Dino, Watch-Car, Vroomiz, Monkart) and co-produces international franchises such as Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir and Zak Storm. It plans, designs, and distributes related toys and merchandise globally, distributes content across Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Youku, and 40+ owned YouTube channels reaching 140+ countries, and operates the Emotion Castle service platform with OTT streaming, makeover shops, English clubs, theme parks, and direct-to-consumer retail stores under the THE TEENIEPING brand.

Product overview

SAMG Entertainment is a Korean IP content company operating a multi-franchise animation and character IP business. Its core portfolio centers on original animation franchises — Miniforce (with 8+ TV series seasons and 5 theatrical films), Catch! Teenieping (6+ seasons plus theatrical films), Metal Cardbot (3 seasons, targeting both kids and adult collectors), Wish Cat/Magic Card (2 versions), Lulupop (digital idol brand), and Super Dino — alongside licensed international IPs (Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, Zak Storm). SAMG functions as both an animation studio and an IP platform, combining in-house CGI animation production, toy planning and distribution (140+ SKUs), global media distribution across YouTube (40+ channels, ~57M subscribers, ~323B views), China OTT (290B+ views), and major global platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Disney), plus a direct-to-consumer retail and experience layer through the Emotion Castle platform (kids OTT, makeover shops, English clubs, theme parks). The company rebranded from Samg Animation to SAMG Entertainment in 2021 and listed on the Korean KOSDAQ in 2022, with 2025 revenues of approximately ₩141.3 billion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 이모션캐슬 (Emotion Castle): Kids & family service platform offering OTT streaming, makeover shops, English clubs, and lifestyle services
• 더티니핑 (THE TEENIEPING)
• LULUPOP
• Metal Cardbot

Products and services

• Miniforce Flagship CGI animation franchise featuring a team of animal-based superhero warriors (Volt, Sammy, Lucy, Max) protecting Earth from various villain threats; spans multiple TV series seasons (Miniforce, Miniforce X, Miniforce Super Dino Power, Miniforce Animaltron, Miniforce V Rangers, Miniforce Super Cops, Pixel Power Miniforce, Miniforce Dinoid) and several theatrical films.
• Catch! Teenieping (THE TEENIEPING) Fantasy animation franchise following princess Romi who catches and befriends Heartsping and other teenieping magical creatures, encompassing multiple seasons (Catch! Teenieping, Twinkle Catch! Teenieping, Secret Catch! Teenieping, Dessert Catch! Teenieping, Shooting Star Catch! Teenieping, Princess Catch! Teenieping) and the theatrical film 'Heartsping: Teenieping of Love'; Korea's leading children's IP.
• Metal Cardbot Action mecha franchise in which humans and Metal Cardbots coexist; a boy named Jun, chosen by Metal Breath, and his partner Bluecop work to find harmony between humans and Metal Cardbots. Three seasons: Metal Cardbot, Metal Cardbot S, and Metal Cardbot W, with the W season positioning the IP as a K-Mecha property targeting both kids and adult collectors.
• Wish Cat / Wish Cat Magic Card Magical cat IP featuring Iemeow and other WishCat characters who grant wishes, with protagonist Anna becoming a hero. Wish Cat Magic Card is the expanded 3D fantasy-magical-girl series version of the original Wish Cat.
• Lulupop Digital idol and fashion doll brand presenting music and music videos with each album in various party concepts; includes multiple subgroups (Lulupop LU, Lulupop Daisy, Lulupop The Party) and special crossovers with other SAMG IPs.
• Super Dino Dinosaur rescue animation where the REX TEAM (Deano, Cera, Harry, Ben, Windy, and human Joy) rescues endangered dinosaurs on Koong Koong Island from the villain Max; 52 episodes of action-comedy kids edutainment content.
• Watch-Car High-tech AI mini battle race car animation featuring protagonist Jino and his car Bluewill competing against master racers including the undefeated champion Kai; includes theatrical films and multiple seasons.
• Vroomiz Comedic animation featuring animal-shaped car creatures called 'Vroomies' living in Zippy City who solve everyday problems through creative adventures; includes theatrical film.
• Monkart Medieval fantasy racing animation where boy Jin and dragon monster Draka embark on a quest to become knights in Carmon Kingdom; features kart racing battles as the national sport.
• Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir International superhero animation co-produced with ZAG and Method, following Parisian students Marinette and Adrien who transform into heroes Ladybug and Cat Noir; SAMG handles production and global distribution including Netflix.
• Zak Storm Adventure animation co-produced with ZAG and Method, following teen surfer Zak Storm who is transported to the Bermuda Triangle and must navigate the seven seas to return home.
• Emotion Castle (platform) Comprehensive direct-to-consumer service platform for kids and families encompassing Emotion Castle Cinema (kids-only OTT streaming), Emotion Castle Royal Boutique (premium kids makeover shop), Emotion Castle English (premium English kids club), Emotion Castle Kids fashion, and Emotion Castle Teenieping Land theme parks.
• Animation Production Services Full-cycle 3D CGI animation production services for TV series, feature films, advertising, and games, covering both proprietary IP production and outsourced/animation planning and development work; positioned by SAMG as one of Korea's largest domestic CGI animation studios with over 21 TV series and 8 animated feature films produced since 2000.
• LILI CLAIR Kids Fashion Kids fashion brand operated by SAMG Entertainment, extending the company's IP ecosystem into children's apparel.
• FOLLET Kids Fashion Kids fashion brand launched by SAMG in 2019, part of the company's kids lifestyle merchandise portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Catch! Teenieping film 'Heartsping: Teenieping of Love' achieved 1.24M viewers, ranking Top 3 in Korean animation box office history
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• MattelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 June 2026Exclusive domestic distribution agreement for Mattel's 'K-pop Demon Hunters' (Kedesheon) character merchandise in Korea. SAMG handles all domestic distribution and sales of Kesheon products, including collectible keychains, mini figures, and the upcoming Huntrix fashion doll series. Products launched June 24, 2026, with approximately 50+ SKUs planned for 2026.
• LG TwinsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2026Wish Cat brand day collaboration at Jamsil Stadium during 3-game home series (June 9-11, 2026). Main character 'Iemeow' performs ceremonial first pitch. Pop-up stores, photozones, special tickets, and collaborative merchandise (uniforms, towels, T-shirts, bags, pouches, keyrings) are offered throughout the stadium.
• Hyundai Motor CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Second consecutive year of collaboration. Jointly organized 'Youth Adventure 2026' exhibition at Hyundai Motor Studio Goyang and Busan from May 1 to August 2, 2026. Features spin-off film 'Heartsping's Risky Hydrogen Car Rescue Operation' with NEXO, interactive hydrogen energy content, sing-along concert on Children's Day (May 5), test drive program 'Catch! Teenieping Drive', and 11 themed merchandise items plus a themed cafe.
• K-League (Ulsan HD FC, Jeju SK FC, Yongin FC, Gangwon FC, FC Anyang)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 April 2026First K-League collaboration spanning 5 soccer clubs (Ulsan, Jeju, Yongin, Gangwon, Anyang) during May 2026 Family Month. Catch! Teenieping Season 6 characters matched to each club's identity: Ulsan (Graceping), Jeju (Bonnyping), Yongin (Eclipseping), Gangwon (Claireping), Anyang (Heartsping). Includes photowalls, pop-up stores, character mascots, and themed events at each stadium.
• KIA TigersmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 April 2026Second consecutive year of Children's Day collaboration at Gwangju-Champions Field (May 1-3 and May 5, 2026). 'Scary Tigers Teenieping' retro concept with expanded MD lineup of 26 items including authentic/replica uniforms, bobcaps, commemorative balls, plush dolls, and keychains. Products to also be available at THE TEENIEPING online/offline stores.
• Choirock Contents CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Joint launch of Lunar New Year-themed merchandise and toys on February 11, 2026. Choirock debuted new products including Phoenix Man's 'Exstarion' robot and Hello Carbot Bigport, while SAMG unveiled a 'MyPing in Hanbok' limited figure series featuring 26 K-heritage goods. Both companies are systematizing cultural motifs into scalable product ecosystems for global brand expansion.
• SM EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic business partnership for cross-promotional collaborations between SAMG animation IPs and SM Entertainment artists. Notable projects include OST participation by NCT WISH's Jaehee and Hearts2Hearts' Yuha for 'Heartsping: Legend of the Whale Heartstone' film, following previous collaboration with aespa's Winter on the first film.
• Line Friends (Taiwan)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLine Friends collaboration popup stores expanded to 5 locations in Taiwan for THE TEENIEPING brand merchandise.
• EBScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary Korean broadcast partner for Miniforce series and other animation content. Long-standing distribution relationship for domestic television broadcast of SAMG's children's animation.
• NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal streaming distribution partner for Miniforce X, Miraculous Ladybug, Watch-Car, Vroomiz, and other titles.
• Toy Distribution Partners (Sonokong, Samjin, Young Toys, Bandai, Gaia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of major Korean toy distributors handling the distribution of SAMG's proprietary IP toys and merchandise. Each partner specializes in different retail channels across department stores, toy specialty stores, and mass merchants.
• National Folk Museum of KoreaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWish Cat Magic Card collaboration with the National Folk Museum of Korea's Paju Children's Museum permanent exhibition 'Sparkle Polsak Chongsak'. Traditional Korean cultural items (jewel crowns, norigae, hourglasses) are incorporated into Wish Cat character designs as part of a cultural education program running through December 2028.
• Fila KidsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeenieping × Fila Kids collaboration, part of the broader lifestyle product expansion for THE TEENIEPING brand into apparel categories.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights2 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@miniforce
• Facebookfacebook.com/samganimation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/samg-entertainment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SAMG ENTERTAINMENT