This archive report was first published on 15 January 2020.
January 15, 2020, marked a significant milestone for Molang, a lovable white rabbit created by Yoon Hye-Ji as an emoji in South Korea. The character's journey to global fame began when the French animation studio Millimages brought Molang to life in a quirky kids series four years ago.
Developed by Marie-Caroline Villand, Molang is a big round rabbit who is extremely positive, imaginative, and enthusiastic. He is accompanied by his best friend, Piu-Piu, a chick who is smaller, more nervous, and shy.
Millimages' managing director, Roch Lener, picked up the worldwide rights for Molang in 2014, despite initial skepticism from his peers. However, the series' global success, with an audience of over 200 million, is attributed to Molang's clear identity and strong association with happiness and friendship.
The series' wide family appeal is also credited to its clever cultural references and modern writing style, which speaks to both children and adults. Molang's merchandising brand, 'My Best Friend,' has expanded to include toys, towels, and even McDonald's children's menus.
As the series continues to grow in popularity, Millimages has high hopes for franchising and merchandising opportunities. The fourth series, which began screening in November, features longer storylines and more complex adventures, including time travel.
