BBC Studios Asia Announces First Co-Production with Studio JanChi: ’12 Seas’
BBC Studios Asia has recently revealed its first co-production venture with Studio JanChi, a renowned Korean food content specialist known for hit series like “Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody” and “A Nation of Kimchi.” The collaboration will result in the creation of a new four-part series titled “12 Seas” (working title), which will delve into the rich seafood culture of South Korea.
This exciting partnership came to fruition as part of an initiative established between KOCCA (Korea Creative Content Agency) and BBC Studios, with the goal of co-producing, co-developing, and distributing Korean factual content on a global scale. Studio JanChi emerged victorious in a pitch competition with their captivating series proposal aimed at bringing Korean stories to audiences worldwide.
The upcoming series will follow Chef Edward Lee and actor Ryu Soo-young as they embark on a culinary journey along South Korea’s coastline throughout the four seasons. Together, they will uncover the secrets behind the country’s most beloved seafood dishes, immersing themselves in the vibrant maritime heritage of Korea. From harvesting wild seaweed using traditional methods to joining local fishermen in catching anchovies with ancient bamboo fish traps, the duo will showcase the beauty and diversity of Korean seafood.
Ryan Shiotani, Senior VP Content at BBC Studios Asia, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Studio JanChi are leading producers of K-food titles and we were immediately drawn to their concept for 12 Seas. This series will offer BBC Earth audiences a fresh perspective on Korea and its seafood through the eyes of acclaimed chef Edward Lee and his foodie partner Ryu Soo-young.” He also extended his gratitude to KOCCA for their support and highlighted BBC Studios’ commitment to bringing global expertise to the partnership.
CEO of Studio JanChi, Heonseok Baek, shared his excitement about the project, stating, “We’re thrilled to be working on this title with BBC Studios after our winning pitch last year. The story of seafood and the ocean is deeply intertwined with Korea’s identity, and we’re eager to share this narrative with audiences in Asia and beyond through our collaboration with BBC Studios.”
Following the success of “Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji Hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure,” BBC Studios Asia’s first original series with JTBC, the co-production of “12 Seas” marks the company’s continued investment in Korean content featuring Asian talent, locations, and stories.
Viewers can look forward to watching “12 Seas” on BBC Earth and BBC Player across Asia in 2026. While Studio JanChi will hold the Korean broadcast rights for the series, BBC Studios will handle global distribution outside Korea.
Studio JanChi, a subsidiary of ELTV known for producing popular food series like “The Korean Food Rhapsody” and “K-Food Show: A Nation of Taste,” specializes in developing engaging food content. With a focus on storytelling and cultural context, the studio aims to create content that brings people together through the universal language of food. Their expertise lies in producing food factual shows, documentaries, and culinary-themed events that captivate audiences with rich narratives.
Stay tuned for more updates on “12 Seas” as BBC Studios Asia and Studio JanChi join forces to showcase the captivating seafood culture of South Korea to audiences around the world.
