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.
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.
Authoritative Sources
- Character Licensing Fair 2026 official website
- COEX event calendar
- KOTRA (Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency)
- Korea IP Promotion Agency
- Korea Tourism Organization
I’m 솔로키친, a Melbourne-based writer covering Korean exhibitions for international visitors. 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.