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Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has transformed the content development environment. It automates repetitive tasks such as background generation and motion correction, and assists in story creation. While past 3D CG technology significantly enhanced content production efficiency, generative AI now assumes that role. Creators are now able to dedicate more time to creative tasks like storytelling and directing.

The animation industry is actively adopting AI due to its advantage of completing tasks that previously required hundreds of people over several months with a small team in a short period. The Japanese terrestrial broadcast of 'Twins Hinahima' in March 2025 garnered attention by utilizing AI for 95% of the entire production process. Global animation studios like Pixar and Disney are also investing in AI technology development.



Content startup Studio Popcorn has incorporated generative AI into the animation development process. The plan is to enhance both production efficiency and the quality of works by combining traditional production methods with generative AI. CEO Hwang Jun-ho of Studio Popcorn shared insights on the future of AI animation.

Adding AI Wings to a Veteran's 25-Year Expertise

“In the past, creating a 20-minute 2D animation like Tom and Jerry required 30,000 to 40,000 drawings. The production period alone took at least 15 to 20 weeks, and from planning to broadcasting, it could take up to five years. Although significant time and manpower are inevitably invested, it doesn't align with the domestic environment of limited budgets. By introducing AI into repetitive tasks, we saw the potential for innovation in the production environment, which led to the establishment of Studio Popcorn.”

CEO Hwang Jun-ho has been in the 2D animation industry for 25 years, battling inefficiencies in the production process. The solution he focused on was 'digital transformation.' Although he attempted digital transformation in animation production in 2012, it was not smooth due to being ahead of its time. Despite foreseeing the future, the industry was still drawing on paper.

The opportunity arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. As remote work became essential due to social distancing, the method of drawing on paper naturally shifted to digital. CEO Hwang stated, “In the past, animations were created by drawing on paper, but during the pandemic, the digital method of working from home with tablets became widespread. Currently, over 80-90% of domestic work is done in a paperless environment.”



The technology possessed by Studio Popcorn is the cut-out production method, which involves moving character joints to act. It is a 2D animation production technique where each joint of a character is rigged with a skeleton and moved with a mouse, similar to a paper puppet show. CEO Hwang explained, “Most Disney and other cartoon animations use this method. One person can handle tasks from layout to coloring, which were previously done by multiple teams. While the production staff is reduced, the production period is shortened from 5 to 8 weeks.”

Studio Popcorn has combined AI with cut-out animation production technology. The labor-intensive task in the animation production process is interpolation, which involves drawing intermediate actions between original drawings. While it is easy to implement in 3D animation, it is challenging in 2D. Studio Popcorn automated this process with AI, reducing the production period.

CEO Hwang stated that since 2024, they have been building prompts necessary for implementing interpolation through AI learning. Although stabilization is needed, the 2D animation production period is reduced by about two-thirds on average. Optimization of production staff has also become possible.

Collaboration with Mopic, Enhancing Completeness with AI Technology

“In the era of generative AI, small production companies like Studio Popcorn cannot directly develop large models like OpenAI's Sora. Our strategy is to become an 'expert user' who utilizes AI tools better than anyone else, rather than a developer.”

Studio Popcorn initially built an AI development environment using domestic and international animation production tools. However, due to limitations in quality and capacity, they were difficult to use in practice. During trial and error, they encountered AI tools from Mopic, a company creating content creation tools for animation and live-action. Studio Popcorn expanded the scope of Mopic's use based on a comprehensive assessment of usability and the quality of results.

Studio Popcorn and Mopic developed a relationship that progressed to technical collaboration starting in May 2025. CEO Hwang said, “We directly contacted Mopic to propose collaboration. We anticipated that if Studio Popcorn handled planning and post-production while Mopic supported AI tool technology, it would create great synergy.” This close technical collaboration led to business expansion, with Studio Popcorn securing the domestic distribution license for Mopic's AI tools.

Studio Popcorn is embarking on building an AI animation development ecosystem based on the distribution license for Mopic tools. They are discussing introducing the use of Mopic tools into the regular curriculum of university animation departments, such as Dongyang University and Honam University. CEO Hwang stated, “The goal is for students related to animation to create works using Mopic's AI tools. We also plan to host university collaborations and animation contests.”

Challenges of Advancing AI Technology and Securing Investment

Studio Popcorn, aiming to be an AI content tech company, faces challenges in advancing technology and securing investment. The primary focus for advancing technology is enhancing the completeness of interpolation technology. They concentrate on the AI tracking the movement of points, considering that images are a collection of points. Once the technology is completed, it is expected to become a core differentiating factor for Studio Popcorn.

However, advancing technology incurs costs. The problem is that securing investment in the animation field is difficult. CEO Hwang remarked, “To be honest, there are almost no cases of investment in small-scale animation companies domestically. Investors also need to recover costs in the long term, but the timing for animation is uncertain and takes a long time.”

To tackle these difficult challenges, Studio Popcorn has devised two strategies. One is to secure a stable cash flow through traditional outsourcing business orders from the U.S. and Japan. The other is developing AI-based proprietary intellectual property (IP).



Studio Popcorn is accelerating the business related to 'Munggle Munggle Bakery,' which they produced. They are creating various products using the characters, such as keyrings, MagSafe equipment, and stickers. They are also preparing for crowdfunding. Plans are in place to link sales with Naver Smart Store and YouTube channels. CEO Hwang explained that they are building character recognition by exposing shorts videos to the public.

Additionally, they plan to establish a branch in the AI innovation city promoted by Gwangju Metropolitan City to utilize data center infrastructure and address research and development cost issues in connection with government AI voucher projects.

Growing into an AI Content Tech Company

Studio Popcorn plans to achieve results with the AI-based TV animation 'Munggle Munggle Bakery.' As a proprietary IP work, it tells the story of ordinary people during the day but features yeast spirits making bread at night. It is a 5-minute animation where over 80% of elements, excluding characters and scenarios, such as backgrounds, music, and sound effects, are produced with AI. Studio Popcorn aims to release two works in 2025 and air a 26-episode series in 2026.

They plan to participate in the Content IP Market held at COEX in November 2025 to promote Munggle Munggle Bakery and AI animation production technology. They are also exploring collaboration opportunities with local companies by entering overseas markets such as Singapore, Vietnam, and Beijing.

Behind Studio Popcorn's relentless challenges was the support of the Startup Support Group at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. Having received support from the early-stage startup package, Studio Popcorn conducted various programs such as overseas investment presentations (IR), networking with related companies, and investment mentoring. The Dubai investment presentation program linked by SeoulTech and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development became a turning point for growth. At this event, Studio Popcorn discussed market entry with a Pakistani company and Uzbek government officials.

CEO Hwang stated, “The early-stage startup package from Seoul National University of Science and Technology greatly helped the company's growth. I remember even the meticulous parts. When I requested to meet investors who know the animation industry well, they didn't just listen but actually arranged meetings with real companies. Thanks to such detailed support, Studio Popcorn was able to achieve stable growth.”



“There have been many works that couldn't be released due to cost issues. Now that we have acquired the powerful weapon of AI, we will open a new chapter in the K-animation market with our own planning and stories.”

Studio Popcorn dreams of expanding from an animation production company to an 'AI content tech' company. This means advancing to a company capable of independent planning and production based on AI animation production technology. CEO Hwang plans to commercialize students' ideas and develop animations targeting special markets to achieve this goal. CEO Hwang stated, “We will strive to make Studio Popcorn a leading company in 2D animation technology that effectively utilizes AI.”

IT Donga Reporter Kang Hyung-seok (redbk@itdonga.com)

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