BBC Studios Clinches Korean Co-Pro for 12 Seas

BBC Studios Asia has sealed its first co-pro pact with South Korea’s Studio JanChi, clinching a deal for the four-part series 12 Seas.

KOCCA and BBC Studios announced a deal last year to co-produce, co-develop and distribute Korean factual content worldwide. Studio JanChi successfully won the pitch with its 12 Seas proposal.

The series is set to air on BBC Earth and BBC Player across Asia in 2026, following chef Edward Lee and actor Ryu Soo-young as they travel across South Korea’s coastline exploring seafood dishes. BBC Studios will handle global distribution.

12 Seas follows BBC Studios Asia’s successful alliance with JTBC on Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji Hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure.

Ryan Shiotani, senior VP of content at BBC Studios Asia, said: ‘Studio JanChi are leading producers of K-food titles and we were immediately drawn to their concept for 12 Seas, which will offer BBC Earth audiences a new perspective on Korea and its seafood through the eyes of acclaimed chef Edward Lee and his foodie accomplice Ryu Soo-young. We are grateful to KOCCA for their support and look forward to bringing BBC Studios’ global expertise and creative approach to the partnership.”

Heonseok Baek, CEO of Studio JanChi, added, “We’re thrilled to be working on this title with BBC Studios after our winning pitch last year. With three distinct seas, home to one of the world’s five largest tidal flats, and over 3,000 islands, the story of seafood and the ocean is inseparable from Korea and we’re looking forward to telling this story to audiences in Asia and beyond with BBC Studios.”