World-class animation 'Guardians of the Video Game' set for nationwide release

Locus Co. holds special preview in Suncheon as film featuring city's mascot characters Rumi and Ddungi prepares for national rollout

Locus Co., an anchor animation company that relocated its headquarters from Gangnam in Seoul to Suncheon, held a special preview in the city ahead of the nationwide opening of its first animated feature film, "Guardians of the Video Game."

The film features Rumi and Ddungi, the mascot characters of Suncheon, and carries added significance as Locus — which declared its departure from Seoul for a regional city — brings a world-class production to screens across the country.

About 200 people attended the preview, held Wednesday at CGV Suncheon Sindae, including Suncheon Mayor Son Hun-mo, city council Speaker Yu Yeong-cheol, Locus CEO Hong Seong-ho and director Eom Yeong-sik, as well as fans of the original work, university students in content-related programs, aspiring young creators and residents, according to Suncheon city.

"Guardians of the Video Game" is an animated feature based on a popular webtoon by the artist known as Gaspard, whose work has accumulated 340 million views globally.

The film blends 8-bit pixel art with 3D animation in a distinctive visual style and is set to open at major movie theaters nationwide on Wednesday.

"Rumi and Ddungi, the symbolic characters of Suncheon and Suncheonman National Garden, also appear in the film, showing how local resources and a company's creative capabilities can combine to demonstrate the potential of the content industry," Mayor Son said at the preview. "We will actively support efforts to build a content industry ecosystem where local talent and businesses grow together, so that it can translate into jobs, tourism and greater competitiveness for the city's brand."

The city plans to go beyond attracting content companies by strengthening local talent development, investment and retail linkages, and support for entering overseas markets, while connecting local assets — including the national garden, the original city center and regional characters — to content projects that can drive tourism and revitalize the local economy.

Locus relocated its headquarters to Suncheon, a city positioning itself as a hub for webtoons and animation, in May last year. About 100 staff are now based at the Suncheonman Animation Cluster studio inside Suncheonman National Garden, where the company operates a four-day workweek.