HelloWorks plans Rayphie revival at Global Stage Hollywood

Seoul studio HelloWorks will outline a plan to turn Korea’s first science-fiction comic, Rayphie, into a global IP business at Global Stage Hollywood on Oct. 3 in Los Angeles. The rollout starts with a documentary on creator Sanho Kim, with animation and other formats to follow if the rights are secured and awareness builds.

Why it matters: - HelloWorks is betting that a classic Korean comic can travel globally the same way Korean pop culture did. - The company is positioning Rayphie as a multi-format IP, starting with a documentary and eventually moving into animation and other content. - The project could add a new Korean superhero franchise to a market already shaped by K-pop and Korean drama.

What happened: - HelloWorks will present its Rayphie revival plan at Global Stage Hollywood on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. - Sam Woo, head of HelloWorks’ Los Angeles office, will deliver the talk, “Rayphie: The Revival of Korea's First SF Comic and a Global IP Business,” at 1:05 p.m. PT. - The presentation is part of the Korea session, “Korean Entertainment Tech Companies Going Global,” organized by K-EnterTech Hub with GSH. - HelloWorks is a Seoul-based short-drama and AI content studio with a US office in California.

The details: - Rayphie was drawn by cartoonist Sanho Kim and serialized in Korea from 1959 to 1962. - The comic ran four parts and 32 volumes. - Kim later moved to the United States and worked for Charlton Comics from 1969 to 1976. - Lambiek lists more than 300 credits for Kim. - No new Rayphie story has appeared since 1962, aside from a 2003 reissue and a short AI-generated video in 2025. - HelloWorks is producing a documentary, “Korea's First SF Cartoonist Sanho Kim and the Return of Rayphie.” - Principal photography is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. - The documentary’s broadcast target is the second quarter of 2027. - HelloWorks plans to expand into animation and other formats after building awareness. - Koo Yong-nam, CEO of HelloWorks, said the company will not pitch the property abroad until the rights are secured. - Koo said the company sees room for a Korean superhero that blends taekwondo, K-culture and K-pop. - HelloWorks was founded in August 2018. - The company first developed scripts in new genres for CJ ENM over four to five years. - HelloWorks later moved into short-form drama as the theatrical market shrank. - Its short drama “Wife's Letter of Resignation” ranked 11th among new releases on ReelShort. - Its “K-Short Drama AI” work was screened at GAMFF 2026. - HelloWorks also works with local promoters and venues on K-pop performances. - The company uses generative AI in production but avoids calling itself an AI production studio. - HelloWorks is developing VR K-pop concert content in Vietnam. - HelloWorks has signed an MOU with a Chinese partner for the co-production of five short dramas. - The company is preparing programming for K-Channel 82, a Korean-content channel for US audiences.

Between the lines: - HelloWorks is using a rights-first strategy, which signals it wants control of the IP before making international sales pitches. - The documentary is doing more than storytelling. It is serving as the first step in a broader franchise plan. - The company’s mix of short drama, AI production and K-pop content suggests HelloWorks is trying to build a cross-platform business rather than a one-off remake. - The GSH session also reflects a bigger industry question: how AI-made content can navigate rights checks when it is built on existing IP.

What's next: - HelloWorks plans to begin principal photography on the documentary in Q4 2026. - The company is targeting a Q2 2027 broadcast window. - If the rights are secured and awareness grows, HelloWorks expects to move Rayphie into animation and other formats. - The Korea session will also include responses from CopySight AI, Millennial Works and HumaAI, plus two fireside chats on AI rights and global expansion.

The bottom line: - HelloWorks is trying to turn a 1950s Korean comic into a modern global franchise, with rights clearance and documentary storytelling as the launchpad.