Global kids and family entertainment powerhouse KidsLoop has partnered with China Bridge Content on the new CGI preschool series My Friend Bada (52×11”), the two companies announced in a joint statement today. KidsLoop and China Bridge Content will be giving global buyers a preview of this adorable new series during MIP Jr. and MIPCOM.
My Friend Bada was created by KidsLoop creative directors Joey Lee and Ayoung Ra (Badanamu Cadets, Badanamu Stories, Badanamu Songs) and multiple Emmy Award winning Creator Josh Selig (Wonder Pets, Small Potatoes). The show features an educational curriculum with a focus on cognitive flexibility and content knowledge that was written by the show’s director of research, Beth Richman, Ed.M. (Sesame Workshop, Super Wings). The show’s pilot script was written by Josh Selig who has also signed on as showrunner. Josh is the former executive producer of Super Wings, and has a proven track record of bringing South Korean projects to the international market and turning them into leading global preschool franchises.
My Friend Bada follows the adventures of Bada, a cute puppy-like creature who takes the viewer on creative journeys inspired by a single theme such as Food, Music, Vehicles or Art. Bada always greets the child-viewer outside his unique home, the Bada Cabana, and then heads off to an exciting new destination like a music concert, the beach, or even the moon! Bada is joined by his best friends Mimi and Abby, who help Bada overcome a variety of challenges they face along the way. When they arrive at their destination, Bada leads his friends and the viewers in a big sing-along about the day’s theme. There is never any “fourth wall” on My Friend Bada which encourages the children watching to feel less like viewers and more like Bada’s good friends.
My Friend Bada is a spinoff of the current hit preschool series Badanamu Stories, Babanamu Songs and Badanamu Cadets which air on leading channels around the world and have garnered 40 billion views across multiple streaming platforms in more than 100 countries. Badanamu is a top brand in China where it has been seen on CCTV-14, Tencent, iQiyi, and YouKu.
“I have always been a big fan of South Korean design so I was thrilled to join this exceptionally talented creative team in Seoul and support the iconic Badanamu brand with world-class writing and a robust educational curriculum. My Friend Bada has all the makings of a global media and licensing mega-hit, and I can’t wait to share the project with buyers and toy companies at the upcoming markets,” said China Bridge Content founder and president Josh Selig.
KidsLoop CEO Mark Law added, “Badanamu has gone from strength to strength over the past five years and we’re certain that My Friend Bada, with its strong international team, will carry Bada and his friends to exciting new heights. We are delighted to be partnering with Josh and his team at China Bridge Content. They have shown again and again that they know how to make innovative, meaningful preschool content that connects with kids all around the world.”
