BBC Studios Asia has unveiled its first co-production with Korean production company Studio JanChi, a four-part culinary travel series titled 12 Seas (working title).
Announced during this week’s APOS media summit in Bali, the project is part of BBC Studios’ growing partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), and signals the company’s continued investment in Asian storytelling with global appeal.
The new series, slated to debut on BBC Earth and BBC Player across Asia in 2026, follows acclaimed Korean-American chef Edward Lee and actor Ryu Soo-young as they embark on a seasonal voyage around the South Korean coastline, exploring the traditions and techniques behind the country’s most iconic seafood dishes. From harvesting seaweed by hand on rugged tidal flats using the traditional Ttulidae method to fishing for anchovies with bamboo traps passed down for generations, the pair will immerse themselves in Korea’s maritime food heritage, BBC Asia says.
“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,” said Ryan Shiotani, SVP of Content at BBC Studios Asia.
The series follows the recent success of Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji Hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure, BBC Studios Asia’s first Korean original, produced in collaboration with local broadcaster JTBC.
Studio JanChi, known for culinary documentaries such as Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody and A Nation of Kimchi, won the pitch for the co-production following a competition launched by BBC Studios and KOCCA last year. The company, a subsidiary of ELTV, has carved out a niche as a producer of culturally rich, food-themed factual content.
“We’re thrilled to be working on this title with BBC Studios after our winning pitch last year,” said Heonseok Baek, CEO of Studio JanChi. “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.”
BBC Studios will handle global distribution of 12 Seas outside of Korea, while Studio JanChi retains Korean broadcast rights. The series is currently in production, with its release set for next year.
