SAMG Entertainment Releases "Hachu Ping of Love: The Legend of the Whale Jewel" with Top Reservation Rate, Fueling Box Office Anticipation

SAMG Entertainment (419530) announced that the animated film "Hachu Ping of Love: The Legend of the Whale Jewel" was released on August 5, 2026. The company aims to maintain its box office momentum by offering a variety of related content, including merchandise and pop-up stores, in addition to high ticket reservation rates even before its release.

Before its premiere, the film became highly anticipated for the summer box office, topping reservation rates for Korean films and ranking third in overall advance bookings. As of 8 a.m. on the release day, it recorded a reservation market share of 10.4% and a reserved audience count of 124,422, drawing strong interest, particularly from family audiences.

To coincide with the film's release, SAMG Entertainment also launched a range of products featuring the film’s characters and universe. Lotte Cinema is offering exclusive items, including Hachu Ping plush pouch keyrings, silicone pouches, and figure keyrings, while CGV presents theater-exclusive products such as plush keyrings and metal keyrings.

A variety of online events have also been organized. During August, the Dirty Niniping online mall is running a proof-of-viewing event for moviegoers, and for the first week after release, a comment event on expectations will kick off weekly participation programs.

A wide array of toys and merchandise utilizing the film's characters has also been released. These include the Whale Jewel Compact and a set of four Mermaid Niniping plush dolls, diorama random figures, random plush keyrings, and the customizable “My Ping” figure collection, as well as Romi dress sets and Mermaid Hachu Ping transformation sets. In total, 28 movie-themed goods—such as movie edition film stickers and film keyrings, fabric posters, and special artwork Mermaid Hachu Ping—are being introduced.

Offline, film-related pop-up stores are also being operated. At Lotte World Tower’s “Dirty Niniping Grand Summer Festa,” visitors can see a giant Mermaid Hachu Ping balloon, submarine photo zones, and movie merchandise. The “Dirty Niniping Cinema Edition” at Starfield COEX Mall will offer interactive content, including an underwater universe-themed exhibition and photo booth, gacha machines, and a custom cinema zone.

A representative from SAMG Entertainment stated, “To coincide with the film’s release, we have prepared various content—including merchandise and pop-up stores—so audiences can enjoy the movie’s characters and universe in many ways. We will continue to expand our IP business by linking content, products, and experiential spaces.”

This film release is expected not only to succeed at the box office but also to strengthen the revenue model connecting content and merchandise by expanding the IP business to include pop-up stores and experiential offerings alongside the movie and related goods.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.