The Character Licensing Fair 2026 (CLF) is Korea’s largest exhibition for character IP, brand licensing, and pop culture business, taking place at COEX Seoul July 16-18, 2026. This pre-event guide covers what international licensors, licensees, brand managers, and pop culture industry professionals need to know.

Event Essentials

  • Dates: July 16-18, 2026 (3 days)
  • Venue: COEX Hall A and Hall B1, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
  • Hours: 10:00 — 18:00 (KST) daily
  • Official website: characterfair.kr
  • Admission: Pre-registration recommended. Trade visitors free with business card. General public ₩10,000.

What to Expect

Expect 300+ exhibitors from Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia including character owners, licensing agencies, manufacturers, and retailers. Major Korean IP including Kakao Friends, LINE Friends, Baby Shark, and BTS-related properties will exhibit alongside global brands like Sanrio, Pokémon, and Disney. The fair includes the Character Brand Awards, B2B matchmaking, and seminars on licensing trends, royalties, and digital character IP.

Getting There and Tips for International Visitors

COEX is directly connected to Samseong Station (Line 2). From Incheon Airport, AREX to Seoul Station + Line 2 (90 min) or limousine bus 6106 (80 min). For international visitors, the fair coincides with other pop culture events in Seoul. Apply for K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr before departure. Most exhibitors have English materials; bring business cards for networking.

Beyond the Show

COEX is connected to Starfield COEX Mall, which has character merchandise stores including Kakao Friends flagship and LINE Friends store. The nearby Gangnam and Apgujeong areas have concept stores and pop-up exhibitions. For pop culture industry visitors, Seoul’s Hongdae and Itaewon neighborhoods (30-40 min by subway) have independent character and merchandise shops.

Related Events at COEX

Character Licensing Fair 2026 is one of several exhibitions taking place at COEX on July 30, 2026. If you’re visiting Seoul for this event, you may also want to check out these other events happening simultaneously at the same venue:

  • Join our comprehensive guides for each event to plan your exhibition visit efficiently.

Seoul Bar & Spirits Show 2026, K-Display 2026, University Early Admission Fair 2026, Seoul Illustration Fair V.21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is this show for trade or consumers?
A. Both. Trade visitors get priority access, but consumer tickets are available for fans who want to buy merchandise.

Q. Can I license a character at the show?
A. Yes, most character owners have licensing teams available for meetings. Pre-arrange via the official matchmaking system.

Q. What types of characters are shown?
A. Everything from animation and gaming to K-pop IPs, webtoons, mascots, and brand collaborations.

Q. Are there seminars in English?
A. Yes, the international licensing seminar track has English interpretation. Check the schedule on the official website.

Q. Can I buy merchandise at the show?
A. Yes, there’s a consumer section with official merchandise, limited editions, and artist meet-and-greets.

Q. What’s the difference between CLF and Seoul POPCON?
A. CLF is B2B-focused on licensing business. Seoul POPCON is more consumer-focused on pop culture fandom.

Exhibition Zones & Highlights

The Character Licensing Fair 2026 spans COEX Hall A and Hall B1, organized into several specialized zones. The Main Exhibition Hall (Hall A) hosts the largest character owners and licensing agencies — Kakao Friends, LINE Friends, Sanrio, and global franchises. Hall B1 is dedicated to emerging IPs, webtoon-based characters, and independent creators. A dedicated K-Pop Character Zone features BTS-related IPs, K-pop merchandise partnerships, and music entertainment brands. The Licensing Business Center provides private meeting rooms for B2B negotiations, with interpreters available upon pre-booking. The Character Brand Awards Stage hosts daily ceremonies recognizing outstanding character IP in categories including Best New Character, Best Webtoon IP, and Best Brand Collaboration. First-time visitors should allocate at least 3-4 hours to cover both halls comprehensively, with an additional hour for seminars and networking sessions.

International Licensing Opportunities

For international licensors and licensees, CLF 2026 offers structured B2B matchmaking through the official event app. Register in advance and the system pairs you with exhibitors based on your business profile and target markets. Key sectors with strong international potential include K-pop character merchandise — BT21 and TinyTAN have demonstrated strong global demand across Asia, North America, and Europe. Webtoon IP licensing is another rapidly growing sector — Korean webtoons are increasingly adapted into global animation, gaming, and consumer product programs. Animation and gaming character partnerships alongside fashion brand collaborations present additional opportunities. Most major Korean licensing agencies maintain dedicated English-speaking international business teams. The Korea Copyright Commission operates an information booth offering free consultation on IP protection strategies in Korea. International visitors should bring company profiles, brand portfolios, and ample business cards — relationship building is central to Korean business culture and initial meetings frequently evolve into long-term partnerships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I need to speak Korean to negotiate licensing deals?
A. Most major agencies have English-speaking international teams. For smaller studios and independent creators, bring a translator or use the interpretation services at the Licensing Business Center. Pre-arrange meetings through the matchmaking app so both parties can prepare for language requirements.

Q. How is intellectual property protected at the show?
A. All initial discussions are conducted on a confidential basis. The Korea Copyright Commission offers free IP consultation at their booth throughout the fair. For formal licensing agreements, consulting a Korean IP attorney is recommended — Seoul has many international law firms with dedicated IP practices experienced in cross-border licensing.

Q. What are typical royalty rates for Korean character licensing?
A. Rates vary significantly by property strength and territory scope. Korean domestic licenses typically range from 5% to 12% of wholesale. International licenses for major K-pop IPs can command 10% to 15%. Rates are negotiable based on territory exclusivity, minimum guarantees, and the strength of the character IP. The fair’s seminar program includes sessions providing current market data and licensing benchmarks.

Q. Can international companies exhibit at the fair?
A. Yes, international exhibitors receive dedicated support. Standard booth packages start at approximately ₩2,000,000 for a basic unit. Contact the CLF international desk through the official website for detailed pricing and application forms. Prime booth locations typically sell out by May — early application is strongly recommended.

Q. Are there official networking events for international attendees?
A. Yes, the official networking reception is held on Day 1 (July 16) from 18:00 to 20:00 at the COEX convention area. Industry-specific dinners and after-parties are organized by various trade associations throughout the three-day event. Check the event app for official invitations and RSVP procedures.

Q. What makes Korean characters successful in global markets?
A. Korean character IPs combine distinctive visual identity with deep digital engagement strategies. Most successful characters originated as mobile messaging stickers, webtoon series, or social media content before expanding into merchandise and global licensing programs. This digital-first approach creates organically engaged fan bases and provides measurable market demand data that international licensors value highly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I visit the fair as a consumer interested in character merchandise?
A. Yes, consumer tickets are available and the fair has a dedicated consumer section with merchandise sales, character meet-and-greets, and photo zones. While the primary focus is B2B licensing, consumer visitors will find plenty to enjoy including limited edition merchandise and interactive character experiences throughout both halls.

Q. Are there seminars for beginners in character licensing?
A. Yes, the fair offers introductory seminars covering the basics of character licensing, IP valuation, and contract negotiation. These sessions are designed for newcomers to the industry and are offered in both Korean and English. Check the seminar schedule on the event app and arrive early as seating is limited for popular introductory sessions.

Authoritative Sources

I’m K-Expos. I write pre-event guides for trade shows, expos, and conventions across Korea — from COEX and KINTEX to BEXCO and beyond. Subscribe for monthly coverage of Korea’s major exhibitions.

Information Verification: Event details, venue assignments, ticket prices, and admission policies were verified against official sources as of 2026-07-30. Exhibitions may change schedules or details after publication. K-Expos recommends confirming directly with each event organizer before making travel arrangements.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *