Ed Online, Malaysia & NHC Media, Korea to co-produce 2D series 'Eori'

MSC Malaysia Company - Ed-Online Technologies, a multimedia developer focused in producing content for eLearning, Communications and Entertainment based in Malaysia is to sign a co-production contract at MIPTV 2010 with NHC Media, an animation production and distribution company in South Korea. Both the companies will join forces to produce a 2D animated TV series (78 episodes x 7 minutes) named "Eori" which targets children aged 4-6 years old. The deal also involves global broadcast distribution and merchandising rights worth US$15 million.

"With the increased number of strategic alliances with foreign government bodies that will allow greater co-productions & collaborative programs to take place, the success of Malaysian companies is something that we are proud of. In conjunction with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between Malaysia & Korea, we believe that in partnership with MSC Malaysia and KOCCA (Korea Creative Content Agency) we are indeed able to provide a conducive platform & co-production grants to position Malaysia as a provider of content/IP for the world, by enabling the right environment for animation, visual effects, games and new media development," said Adam Ham, Entertainment & Media Specialist of Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), who is also currently in Cannes bringing a 13 strong Malaysian creative content delegation to MIPTV 2010.

Eori is a boy who happened to save a fairy. In return, the fairy brought Eori to her place which is full of storybooks. Whenever Eori reads a book, the fairy puts a magical mask on him and he is transported into the story world, playing the role of a character in that story. The stories are based on Malaysian and Korean folk tales as well as internationally known fairy tales - but Eori is going to drive the stories in his own way by steering them with his extraordinary imaginations!

With a budget of US$2 million, the co-production is an opportunity for talented young people from both the countries to show the world what they are capable of. The main production of the series will be done entirely in Malaysia and is expected to create more than 100 jobs in the country.

"We are excited to work with some of the best talents from the animation industry in Korea. Training and the transfer of skills shall be the priority in this co-production," says Mr Lee Chuen Loong, the CEO of Ed-Online. "And we are ready to prove to the world that Malaysians are capable of producing world class animations."

According to Mr Hyeon-chai Ra, the CEO of NHC Media, "We are very impressed by Ed-Online's portfolio and track record in multimedia development. We are confident that the cartoon will be well received not only in Korea & Malaysia, but worldwide."

The co-production is supported by Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) of Malaysia, Seoul Business Agency (SBA) and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).

Eori is scheduled to be released by the second quarter of 2011 and will be available in Korean, Bahasa Malaysia and English.