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Red Cross Mascot Nanumi and Gyeongnam's Byeori Win Grand Prizes at 2026 Character Awards

Nanumi won in the public representative character category. Byeori won the local government communication and promotion category for the second year in a row.

Nov 12, 2026

What 10 Years of the Yuru-chara Grand Prix Left Behind

Japan's mascot popularity contest drew a record 1,727 characters in 2015. After controversy over organized voting, it ended in 2020.

News · Notice

2026 Mascot of the Year Opens Soon

Daily Mascot and Lud Dynamics are jointly hosting the event. It will select the mascots that were loved over the past year.

Opinion · Column

Mascots Do Not Have Terms of Office

Growing an existing face is harder than creating a new one. That is why it is worth more.

Opinion · Column

Mascots Need a Record Too

On the launch of Daily Mascot, we commit to recording, accurately, why mascots are created and how they are used.

News · Analysis

The Mascot Directory by the Numbers: 5,091 Mascots

Local government mascots are the most numerous in the Mascot Directory. Public institutions and elementary schools come next.

South Korea's Mascot Awards: Who Runs Them and What They Pick

Public characters compete at a festival, while club mascots run in a class president election. Each award differs in who can enter and how winners are chosen.

Opening Up the Artwork Sold the Mascots: Boogi and Kumamon

Busan opened its mascot Boogi to free use in 2021. Japan's Kumamon can be used without a fee when the purpose is promotion.

Tech · Feature

A Mascot Suit's Summer, and Now a Walking Character Robot

Stricter heat rules have made mascot suits harder to run. Disney and South Korean companies are putting character robots to work.

News · Notice

Daily Mascot Launches With a Directory of 5,091 Mascots From Across South Korea

An online newspaper that covers only mascots has launched. It is also publishing a record of South Korean mascots going back to 2023.

Business

Boeun Jujube Festival Turns 20, Opens Shop for Mascots Bomi and Euni

Boeun County gave away free Bomi and Euni emoticons to mark the jujube festival's 20th anniversary. It also ran a merchandise shop at the festival grounds.

Archive · Oct 16, 2026

Local · Feature

Mascots Take the Stage at Fall 2026 Festivals and Events

Ssiagi of Eumseong, BBOGI of Daegu and Hamo of Jinju were among the mascots out in force at fall festivals. Others appeared at a film festival and a content fair.

Archive · Sep 28, 2026

Incheon's New Geomdan and Yeongjong Districts Put Mascots Front and Center

Geomdan District is bringing its mascots Geomi and Danbi to its events. Yeongjong District introduced its new mascot Yeonggeuli at its first festival.

Archive · Jul 14, 2026

Busan Transportation Corporation Unveils New Mascots Booray and Tavio, First in 15 Years

The two characters, a seagull train and a paper ticket, were chosen in a vote weighted 60% to citizens and 40% to employees.

Archive · Jul 1, 2026

People · Feature

Schools Pick New Mascots Through Student Contests and Ideas

From Sanggal Elementary School's Songi to Woosuk University's WOON, several schools chose mascots through student contests and ideas.

Archive · Jun 2026

Korea Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission Picks Media Guardians as Mascots

Miring, Bangtol and Tongdi, the top entry in a public contest, work as one team. The commission has also released digital goods every month.

Archive · Apr 17, 2026

Damyang County Finalizes New Tourism Mascots Damnagwi, Daejjogi and Meti

The county gathered opinions from about 2,000 residents and tourists and 40 experts. The new characters will be officially unveiled at the Damyang Bamboo Festival.

Archive · Apr 8, 2026

Sports · Feature

Corporate and Club Mascots Team Up With Sports Teams in 2026

Malhaeboca's Chu, Hana Insurance's Byeoljanggun and Everland's Lessy partnered with sports clubs. SSG Landers and IBK Altos put their own club characters forward.

Archive · Mar 29, 2026

Chuncheon Tourism Characters Bomnae Crew Hold First Pop-Up in City Hall Lobby

Six characters, including ones modeled on dakgalbi and makguksu, appeared at their first pop-up store. The event continued as a pop-up touring local tourist sites.

Archive · Mar 20, 2026

Sports

Hwaseong FC Unveils Mars and Po, the Club's First Mascots

Mars is an alien creature styled as the club's official cheerleader. The mascots have expanded their activities through themed events and pop-ups.

Archive · Mar 19, 2026

From a Keyring Vote to Emoticons, February's Mascot Merchandise

From a vote on Eokdori keyrings to KDZ emoticons, a research institute, an international organization, universities and companies turned their mascots into merchandise.

Archive · Feb 2026

Cheonan Steps Up Tourism Marketing With Mascots NUBI and DDOWA

The campaign began with monthly wallpapers and short-form videos. It has since expanded to Cheonan City FC home games and the Heungtaryeong Dance Festival.

Archive · Jan 23, 2026

New Faces and New Versions for Mascots in the First Month of the Year

Samcheokdongja got its first new look in 25 years. Soeburi gained an eco version, and Starkona hosted an event as an AI character.

Archive · Jan 2026

People · Feature

Youth and College Mascots Born From Votes and Contests in 2025

In Asan and Gangseo, young people voted to pick the mascots ARO and Funfuni. At Kyungnam University, students designed Handami and Kusomi.

Archive · Nov 18, 2025

Hospitals That Gained Mascots in 2025, From Bubaegi to Ilbaegi

Busan Paik Hospital unveiled Bubaegi and Ilsan Paik Hospital unveiled Ilbaegi. KIRAMS and the National Center for Mental Health brought out their characters as plush dolls and costumes.

Archive · Oct 10, 2025

Public Procurement Service Unveils New Mascots Narumi and Dali

The Public Procurement Service has redesigned its 2007 mascot for the first time in 18 years. The new lineup pairs Narumi, a stork, with Dali, a squirrel.

Archive · Aug 14, 2025

Public Mascots Reach Out Through Free KakaoTalk Emoticons

The National Fire Agency, the Gangwon State Office of Education, Taebaek, Yongin and Yanggu gave away free emoticons. Most sets had 16 designs, and one reached up to 270,000 people.

Archive · Aug 2025

Sports · Feature

T1, SSG Landers and PBA Unveil New Mascots in July 2025

T1 unveiled ATI, SSG Landers introduced Puri and Batty, and the PBA revealed Billy Bear. Gen.G Esports' GenRang served as an EWC ambassador.

Archive · Jul 2025

South Korean Local Governments Widen Paths to Mascot Merchandise in First Half of 2025

Yangpyeong County and Bucheon City opened the economic rights to their characters. Gyeongju City cut the copyright fee for its symbols to 1%.

Archive · Jun 17, 2025

Seosan Tourism Mascots Gati and Osyu Share Live Broadcast Stage With Lightning Man

Gati and Osyu teamed up with Lightning Man on stage. Within three months, the mascots won a contest grand prize and their trademark was opened to small businesses.

Archive · May 22, 2025

Local · Brief

Seocheon Webfoot Octopus Festival Unveils AI Games Featuring Kkumi and Dongbaegi

Seocheon County released five AI interactive games to promote the 23rd Camellia and Webfoot Octopus Festival. It also introduced Seobeulli and Maru at its blueberry festival.

Archive · Mar 14, 2025

Business

National Park Mascots Bandari and Ggomi Bring About 150 Items to COEX Mall Pop-Up

About 150 character products went on sale at COEX Mall in Seoul. In the fall, the pop-up moved to the Juwangsan visitor center.

Archive · Mar 6, 2025

Daegu's Dalseo District Turns Mascots Dalsu and Dalhui Into AI Announcers

The two characters deliver district news on the official YouTube channel. The district plans to expand their story through musicals, animation and merchandise.

Archive · Feb 11, 2025

KAMCO Renews Mascot Kiumi, Adds Sidekick Mascots Jiki and Botta

The official mascot Kiumi has a new look. A Jindo dog named Jiki and an all-purpose bundle named Botta now stand beside it.

Archive · Dec 10, 2024

Local · Feature

Research Institute Mascots in 2024, From Naming Contests to New Friends

KRIBB named its mascot Seppo through a public contest, and KITECH held a drawing event for Dr.K. KRICT unveiled its Chemie Friends at the end of the year.

Archive · Dec 2024

Sports

Korea Volleyball Federation Unveils Five Position Mascots for 20th Anniversary

Each of volleyball's five positions is now represented by an animal. The federation also replaced its emblem and three trophies.

Archive · Oct 17, 2024

People · Feature

Names Chosen by Students and Staff: School Mascots of 2024

Chuncheon Mechanical Technical High School, Yonam Institute of Technology, Korea National University of Education and Anseong High School got mascots through contests in 2024. Students and school members picked the names.

Archive · Oct 2024

Public Mascots That Gave Away Free Emoticons in 2024

Cheongju National Museum, Seoul's Yangcheon District, Gunsan City and the Gyeonggi Northern Autonomous Police Committee gave away free character emoticons in 2024.

Archive · Sep 2024