Annyeonghaseyo. Gwenchana. Daebak. Oppa.
For Korean drama (K-drama) fans, these words are far from unfamiliar. As K-dramas, K-pop, and Korean food continue to gain global attention, interest in South Korean culture is soaring, fueling curiosity about life in the East Asian country and a growing desire to experience it.
In the midst of this cultural wave is the South Korean company Name x Entertainment, with its character IP and animated series Dr. B-Pang. Dr B-Pang is a bungeoppang – a fish-shaped pastry or bread that’s a popular winter street food in Korea.
The yet-to-be-released 3D animated show follows Dr. B-Pang, who longs to escape the monotony of being just another bungeoppang. Paired with this crispy bread is K-pop idol trainee Hosoo (pronounced “Ho-su”) who runs a bungeoppang street food stall to make ends meet, while dreaming of stardom. One day as Hosoo is preparing the treats, Dr. B-Pang escapes the mold, and thus begins their unlikely friendship. Cooking expert Dr. B-Pang saves Hosoo’s street food business and together they go on an adventure that takes them from the alleyways of Korea’s capital Seoul to a culinary exploration of street foods across the country, and eventually the world.
“Dr. B-Pang is about more than food—it’s about friendship, following your dreams, and overcoming life’s challenges,” said Name X Entertainment CEO and executive producer Yoon A Ko to AnimationXpress. “Our show blends elements of K-pop, Korean cuisine, and street food culture into an adventure that resonates with audiences worldwide.”
The first season of the show will have 13 episodes, each seven minutes long. With the series set to follow Dr. B-Pang and Hosoo on their culinary adventures around the world, Name X Entertainment plans to create two more seasons. The company is keen to reach a global audience, specifically targeting fans of Korean culture in South Asia, South America, the US, and Japan, along with B-Pang’s growing fanbase on digital platforms and social media.
The show’s introductory videos have already garnered impressive attention, with YouTube views ranging from 100K to seven million. According to Ko, the company’s focus is on building long-lasting character IPs through rich storytelling. “Characters with deep narratives can transcend the screen,” she explained. “They can live on as virtual artists interacting with their audience or as elements in game worlds.” This approach helps cultivate a dedicated fandom, where fans not only follow the characters but also emotionally invest in their journeys, thus increasing the overall value of the IP.
Currently, Name X Entertainment is searching for distribution partners to bring Dr. B-Pang to digital platforms worldwide. If the teaser videos are anything to go by, Dr. B-Pang is set to be a daebak—an absolute hit!