Agencies and Companies Turn to Contests for Mascot Merchandise and Names in 2026

In 2026, public institutions, local governments and companies in South Korea used contests to find character merchandise designs and character names. Many turned winning entries into real merchandise or produced them with local businesses.

Korea Expressway Corporation: Car Merchandise Designs

Korea Expressway Corporation accepted entries from May 6 to 31, 2026, for a car merchandise design contest for "Giltongi and Charocharo Friends." The contest awarded 18 people in total, including a grand prize of 1 million won ($720), and made it possible for winning entries to be produced as real merchandise.

Gwangjin District, Seoul: Contest Designs Become Plush Goods

Gwangjin District in Seoul selected 10 merchandise designs for its characters Gwangi and Jini through a contest in June 2026. From July 31 to Aug. 10, it then recruited five sewing businesses in the district to make the designs into plush goods. The district ran this as the Gwangi and Jini plush merchandise project and decided to use the finished goods as visitor souvenirs and department promotional items.

Korea Sports Promotion Foundation: 256 Baekhodori Merchandise Designs

The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO) held the "2026 Baekhodori Merchandise Design Contest." It received 256 entries and selected seven winners. The grand prize entry, a Baekhodori gua sha scraper, earned a chance to be made into real merchandise. The Electronic Times reported the results on Aug. 5, 2026.

Mungyeong City: Tourism Character Souvenir Designs

Mungyeong City in North Gyeongsang Province announced the "2026 13th Mungyeong City Tourism Souvenir Design Contest" on Sept. 30, 2026. The contest seeks souvenirs that use Mungyeong Saejae and the city's tourism characters. Mungyeong's characters include Munhui and Gyeongseo.

Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety: Names for New Characters

The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety held a naming event for two new characters, a main and a sub character, and announced the winners on Sept. 11, 2026. The institute shared news of the event and the winners on its official blog. It also held a character contest in 2023.

CJ CheilJedang: CJ The Market Mascot Naming Office

CJ CheilJedang unveiled the official mascot of CJ The Market on Oct. 6, 2026. It then ran "The Market Freshman Naming Office" until Oct. 20, taking votes on the mascot's name.