[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] “Wasn’t ‘Love Hachuping’ just an animated series for kids?”
A slightly unusual scene unfolded at movie theaters across Korea during the summer of 2024. This was because, among mothers who visited theaters with their young children, there was a character being talked about just as much as Hachuping. It wasn’t the main character, Princess Romi, nor the cute Tini-ping. It was none other than Prince Liam.

◇How Did Prince Liam Become Moms’ Favorite?
Immediately after the film’s release, online communities and social media were flooded with reactions such as, “I went to see it with my kid and fell in love with Prince Liam,” “The character moms like even more,” and “Why did they make him so handsome?” It was unusual for a male character from a children’s animated film to become the center of attention outside the film itself.
What’s interesting is that this reaction was by no means a coincidence. Prince Liam was a character created from the very beginning with a broad audience in mind.
Kim Soo-hoon, the executive director of *Love Hachuping*, explained in an interview at the time of the show’s release that while “it’s true we drew inspiration from the images of various idols,” he added, “We didn’t model him after any one person; rather, we wanted to create the ideal image that anyone would naturally associate with a prince, and we aimed for visuals that everyone would find appealing.”
In fact, Prince Liam was designed with the classic “prince” look—golden hair, striking features, and a gentle demeanor. Combined with his kind and trustworthy personality, he left a deep impression not only on children but also on mothers in the audience.
But that’s not all. There’s another interesting behind-the-scenes story surrounding Prince Liam. In a typical animated film, Prince Liam would naturally form a romantic storyline with Princess Romi, but the production team ultimately decided not to pair the two. They judged that leaving Prince Liam not as Romi’s love interest, but as an ideal prince whom anyone could admire, would leave a more lasting impression. Once this decision became known, reactions online included comments such as, “A character who truly understands moms’ fantasies.”

◇Kite Takes Up the Baton from Liam
Now, all eyes are on the sequel. In “Love Hachuping: The Legend of the Whale Gem,” set to premiere on August 5, a new male character—Kite, the “Boy of the Sea”—makes his debut. Kite serves as an ally who accompanies Romi on her journey to find the Whale Gem and save her mother; he is a central figure through whom the story will explore themes of friendship and personal growth.
In the released visuals, Kite captivates the eye with his ocean-inspired blue outfit, refreshing aura, and boyish good looks. While Prince Liam embodies the “textbook prince” from fairy tales, Kite sets himself apart as a character defined by his free-spirited and refreshing charm. Critics note that the character exudes the fresh, innocent charm of a newly debuted idol.
Fan anticipation is already running high. Online reactions include comments such as, “Isn’t this going to be another favorite character for moms?” and “He seems poised to follow in Prince Liam’s footsteps.”
Of course, the production team hasn’t explicitly stated that Kite is also a character aimed at mom viewers. However, just as Prince Liam established himself as another key draw in the previous installment, there’s every reason to believe that Kite will also become a new highlight of this series.
The “Love Hachuping” series has established itself as a family animation that bridges generations, offering children a fantasy filled with excitement and parents a different kind of enjoyment. If Prince Liam demonstrated the series’ potential, it’s now time for the baton to be passed to Kite, the boy of the sea. Attention is focused on whether a new “moms’ favorite” character will emerge this time as well.