NAMU Animation Co., Ltd. is collaborating with Pencil and Meditation to co-produce a feature-length

animated film titled 'Gill' for theatrical release.

"Gill" tells the story of a boy who, on the verge of death, lives in isolation with gills.This captivating 

tale originates from the imagination of the author Koo Byung-mo, who has gained a strong

following and steady sales since its publication.

Gill's director, Ahn Jae-hoon, is known for his animation work that reflects Korean culture, including

titles such as "Dream of a Precious Day," "Korean Short  Literature Series," and "Salaoreum." His ability

to infuse his colorful style into adaptations of renowned Korean literary classics like "When Buckwheat

Blossoms Bloom," "Downpour," and "Wunyeo Island" has earned recognition at international animation 

film festivals.

Ahn Jae-hoon shared a personal connection to this production, saying, "I don't know how many times

I've fell into the water. Every time I do, I feel like I'm living with gills forming within me bit by bit. I hope

people can think about the 'gills' inside themselves and what it means to live."

Jang Min-ji, the background director at Pencil and Meditation responsible for the film's settings, 

explained their approach: 'To enhance the fantasy elements of the original work, we've chosen a 

European setting. We invite the audience to explore various locations within the film, including the iconic

Pont Nef Bridge in Paris, France, and the enchanting Venice in Italy.'"

"Gill," a project unanimously approved by all staff members since its selection stage, is currently in pro

duction. The goal is to complete the main production within one year, with plans to release it as a special

animation in 2024.

Additionally, "Gill" has received support from the BIAF Anime Fair and will be submitted to the 25th

Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF2023), scheduled to take place from October 20 to 24, 2023.