Cartoon Network (South Korean TV channel)


Cartoon Network is the South Korean version of the original American Cartoon Network television channel in the United States and is a cable and satellite television channel created by Turner Broadcasting, a unit of AT&T’s WarnerMedia which primarily shows animated programming. It was launched on 11 November 2006. As of 2019 the channel is managed by Warner Bros. through its Korea unit.

History

1995–2006: Predecessors

In 1995, Orion Cartoon Network was launched. The channel's logo had nothing to do with Cartoon Network's instead using Orion's logo with the text 오리온카툰네트워크 next to it. The channel was renamed Tooniverse a few months later. The rebranded channel aired a Cartoon Network block until December 2002, when they lost the contract. At the same time, CSTV started distributing the Southeast Asian version of the channel, but only in English, as Korean laws imply that channels operating outside of South Korea are forbidden to carry Korean audio or subtitles within South Korean territory. Previously, the Japanese version was relayed on certain cable TV providers.
On 12 July 2006, Turner and JoongAng Media Network signed a deal to launch the Korean version of the channel.

2006–2008: City Era

On 11 November 2006, the channel was launched replacing the Southeast Asian version on certain South Korean providers. As their first look, the bumpers were replaced with 3-D animations of a 'city' that all the Cartoon Network toons lived in. Show-specific bumpers were replaced with 3-D animations of a well-known scene from the particular show. The retro, checker board logo was replaced with the 'CN' city-style logo of today. In 2006, several new Cartoon Network originals premiered, including Robotboy, The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, Camp Lazlo, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, My Gym Partner's a Monkey and Squirrel Boy. The Cartoon Cartoons moniker previously used for Cartoon Network originals was also dropped in 2006.

2009–2011: New Wave Era

In July 2009, the format of Cartoon Network's bumpers and commercials changed, and the Cartoon Network Theatre and Fridays Flicks were renamed to Cartoon Network Popcorn. This mimics a similar decision made by Cartoon Network Southeast Asia, with the major visual theme being the recurring 'dynamic line' on the network's official website and also in all the Station IDs, bumpers, etc. During the New Wave Era much of Cartoon Network's comedy/fun-oriented programs, which were popular in the early-mid-2000s, are being shown much less frequently on the network, making way for more anime and action-oriented shows.

2011–2014: Exciting Fun Era

On 1 October 2011, Cartoon Network Korea changed to the CHECK it 1.0/It's a Fun Thing look using their own slogan, 신나는 재미 as well as introducing their own jingle.

Programming