Introducing “12 Seas”: A New Korean Culinary Series by BBC Studios Asia
Last month, following the debut of Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji Hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure, BBC Studios Asia announced its collaboration on a new Korean program, tentatively titled 12 Seas.
In partnership with Studio JanChi, known for their work on Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody and A Nation of Kimchi, the upcoming four-part series is scheduled to premiere in 2026.
This project is part of a broader agreement with the Korean Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), which was established by BBC Studios last August. The agreement focuses on the co-production, co-development, and international distribution of Korean factual programming.
Exploring Korea’s Coastal Cuisine
12 Seas will feature culinary expert Chef Edward Lee, known from Masterchef and Culinary Class Wars, and actor Ryu Soo-young, famous for his role in Real Men. The series will take viewers on a journey along South Korea’s coastline through all four seasons. Lee and Ryu will delve into the traditional seafood preparations that define Korean cuisine. They will engage in activities like gathering wild seaweed by the traditional “Ttulidae” method and joining local fishermen who use age-old bamboo fish traps to catch anchovies. The show aims to highlight the deep cultural significance of seafood in Korea, beyond its role as a staple food.
BBC Studios Asia plans to air 12 Seas on BBC Earth and BBC Player throughout Asia, while also handling its global distribution outside Korea.
The rights to broadcast the series within Korea will be held by Studios JanChi.
Previously, BBC Studios Asia and Korean broadcaster JTBC successfully collaborated on Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji Hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure.
Ryan Shiotani, SVP Content of BBC Studios Asia, expressed excitement about the new series: “Studio JanChi are renowned for their K-food productions, and their concept for 12 Seas immediately captivated us. This series will provide BBC Earth’s audience with a fresh perspective on Korean culture and its seafood, seen through the adventures of esteemed chef Edward Lee and his sidekick, Ryu Soo-young. We appreciate KOCCA’s support and are eager to apply BBC Studios’ global expertise and creativity to this venture.”
Heonseok Baek, CEO of Studio JanChi, also commented on the collaboration: “We are excited to partner with BBC Studios on this project, following our successful pitch last year. Korea’s rich marine environment, which includes three distinct seas, one of the world’s largest tidal flats, and over 3,000 islands, provides a unique backdrop to explore the intertwined narratives of the ocean and seafood. We look forward to sharing these stories with not just Asian viewers but a global audience.”
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