Suncheon previews Locus animated film Guardians of the Video Game

Suncheon Previews Landmark Locus Adaptation

The animated adaptation of Gaspard’s popular webtoon Guardians of the Video Game held a special preview screening on October 7 at the CGV movie theater in Suncheon Sindae, ahead of its national release across South Korea on October 14, according to Herald Corp.

High-Profile Turnout in Suncheon

The screening brought together roughly 200 attendees, including Suncheon Mayor Sohn Hoon-mo, city council chair Yoo Young-chul, Locus CEO Hong Seong-ho, director Um Young-sik, original webtoon fans, content students, and local creators. The project marks the first animated feature film from Locus, a studio that relocated its headquarters from Seoul to Suncheon last year.

Blending Pixel Art With 3D Animation

Production on the film incorporates distinct visual elements by blending eight-bit pixel art with three-dimensional animation. The original webtoon accumulated 340 million views globally before its transition to the big screen.

Weaving Local Landmarks Into the Frame

Local identity directly shapes the film's visuals. Characters representing Suncheon, specifically Rumi and Ttungi, appear within the movie alongside imagery from the Suncheon Bay National Garden. Mayor Sohn Hoon-mo stated at the event that the inclusion demonstrates the potential of combining local resources with corporate production capabilities.

Expanding Regional Studio Operations

Locus currently operates an office within the Suncheon Bay Animation Cluster, employing about 100 workers under a four-day workweek system following its corporate move in May of last year. City officials plan to use the studio’s presence to expand local job training, investment matching, and overseas market access while linking regional assets to tourism and economic growth.