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Disney's Korean Rhapsody: How Universal Stories Find a Special Home in Asia. Plus, The New Animated Film, "Elio" Details!

From the new hit Disney Pixar film Elio's message of belonging to the enduring magic of animation, we unpack Korea's deep connection to Disney.


Disney Pixar Mashup (Credits: Disney)
Disney Pixar Mashup (Credits: Disney)

Disney's new animated film, Elio, sends a strong message of belonging. Many young and older Koreans battle with loneliness, which is mostly driven though the intense social pressures, and strong traditional community ties. Also feeding into this is a very competitive nature when it comes to work and education, and therefore the rise in single person households, lack of family units and a growing sense of detachment. This film will focus in on some of the issues that many Koreans face, in order to bring awareness to them.



Storytelling Excellence & Stunning visuals


Disney Pixar, is well known for it's cutting edge animations, stunning visuals and artistry, and this has not gone unnoticed by the Korean audience who appreciate the high quality production.


The way that Disney is able to tell stories and put across key messages remain fresh and engaging and also relevant. Disney's storytelling also evolves to stay relevant, as seen with Frozen series shifting focus to sisterly bonds, ensuring narratives remain fresh and engaging.



Strategic Market Focus for the Korean market


In recent years Disney has put real focus on ramping up for their Korean market, especially through Disney+ as it includes Korean original content. The Dojeon team have written serval articles which have homed in on hit Disney+ dramas. This clever movie by Disney does not stop there, as they also have worked closely with Korean creators as seen in the hit series Moving, demonstrate Disney's commitment to building strong, localized ties within the industry.




Educational value


In the past, many Koreans watched Disney films in order to learn English. Disney movies were once seen as a valuable tool for learning, and this has continued through to today. Disney has realized this, and as a result have shifted some of their focus onto Disney learning tools, through work shops to toys.


With many classic Disney animations such as Lion King, bringing a strong nostalgic sense to many generations of Koreans this has led to a long lasting affection for the brand. This intergenerational connection ensures Disney's magic continues to be passed down through families.




So what is the dealio with Elio, the new Disney Pixar Movie?


While sequels like Zootopia 2 and Toy Story 5 near the horizon, the spotlight for now is firmly on Elio, which promises to be a sci-fi comedy! This extra-terrestrial adventure hopes to bring some of Pixar's space magic to global audiences, including those in Korea.


Image: Screenshot from the animated sci-fi movie Elio. Photo credit: Disney
Image: Screenshot from the animated sci-fi movie Elio. Photo credit: Disney


A Journey from Loneliness to Leading the Galaxy


In a bustling world where many Koreans, despite their vibrant culture, often grapple with silent feelings of isolation and loneliness. Elio, arrives with a profoundly powerful message of connection and belonging. The Dojeon team believes Elio is poised to become the next must-see animated hit for Korean audiences, especially given its central theme that mirrors the everyday experiences of so many here. This isn't merely another animated adventure; it's a deeply resonant story for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, searching for their unique place in the vast universe, a feeling we're sure many Koreans can identify with.



Synopsis


The main plot follows Elio Solis, an eleven-year-old boy, who, much like many navigating modern Korean society, is desperate to understand his true self and find a genuine connection. Though he begins as an underdog, Elio accidentally stumbles into the most exciting adventure imaginable, proving that even the most unassuming among us can find extraordinary purpose. Elio offers a timely and heartfelt exploration of what it means to belong, both within oneself and in the wider cosmos.




Later, Elio is suddenly tasked with representing our entire planet! Talk about being thrown into the spotlight! This showcases the realities in which many Koreans often find themselves, from giving presentations, or preparing for interviews. Since this is a cute animation, it highlights social problems that Koreans often face, in a fun way.


In the trailer, there is a great blend of action within the deep messages, in an attempt to make this movie more of a comedy which hopefully brings a fresh approach to alien movies! Will all things cute, could this be one of the reason why Koreans love Disney so much?



Elio is premiering today! Let us know your thoughts on this new animated film and will you be watching it?


Why do you think Koreans love Disney movies so much? Leave a comment below and let us know!




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