Jeju Conversation Cards Secure Export Deal with Norway... AI Picture Books Aim to Enter China

【Financial News, Jeju = Reporter Jeong Yong-bok】Conversation cards developed in Jeju to support emotional expression and communication have secured an export deal with a Norwegian publisher. With plans for a local-language edition and collaboration on digital educational content, overseas commercialization by Jeju content companies has entered the concrete contract stage.
According to Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Jeju Content Promotion Institute on the 11th, The Want Cross Media Co., headquartered in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City, and headed by Park Seon-a, signed an export contract for its conversation cards, ‘The Want Card,’ with Norwegian publisher Game Forlag on the 1st.
Game Forlag is a Norwegian publisher specializing in publications related to quizzes, board games and role-playing. Under the deal, it will handle translation and localization of the Norwegian-language edition of The Want Card and plans to expand distribution through bookstores, educational institutions and other outlets. The two companies are also pursuing plans to expand into Swedish- and Danish-language editions.
The Want Card is a conversation tool that helps users express their needs, feelings and experiences through stories. It was created based on narrative therapy, which explores thoughts and experiences through storytelling, and dramatic structure. It is designed for use not only in family communication but also in counseling and educational settings.
The contract also includes cooperation related to the ‘The Want System,’ which connects conversation cards with a web app and educational content. Hans Olav Ekornrød, a game designer at the Norwegian publisher, visited Jeju before the deal was signed and tried the cards, board games and web app himself.
The deal is significant as an example of commercializing creative works developed by a Jeju-based content company for supply to overseas publishing and education markets. Unlike arrangements in which a company produces content on behalf of a foreign firm, this deal focuses on expanding the use of content the company conceived and developed itself.
The Want Cross Media was also selected for the Jeju Content Korea Lab’s ‘2026 JEMI Stepping-Stone Support Program’ and carried out the project ‘Development of Tewak and Hondi Emotion-Eliciting Immersive Content’ with 30 million won in support funding. Through the project, it developed the ‘Hondi Interactive Picture Book’ and the ‘Hondi AI Web App.’

Hondi is a Jeju word meaning ‘together.’ The characters, which draw on natural elements of Jeju such as camellias, horned turban shells, basalt and meonnamu, were conceived to help preschoolers and lower elementary school children express their feelings and talk with their families.
In particular, an AI-powered conversation feature has been incorporated into the picture book to help children connect their own experiences with the characters in the story. It is an example of using Jeju’s language and natural resources in digital content for children.
The company is also set to take part in the ‘2026 Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF),’ which will be held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in China from the 13th to the 15th. It will introduce the Hondi picture book and AI web app at the event and seek business partnerships with publishing and education stakeholders in Chinese-speaking markets.
The Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair is an international event where overseas rights to children’s publications are traded and content-distribution partnerships are formed. Following its deal with a Norwegian publisher, content developed in Jeju is expected to have an opportunity to test its business potential in the Chinese market as well.
Park Seon-a, CEO of The Want Cross Media, said, “We have created an opportunity to introduce content developed in Jeju to the Nordic market,” adding, “We will broaden our connections with overseas users through a range of content, including conversation cards, picture books and web apps.”
Kim Gyeong-tak, head of the Content Talent Team at the Jeju Content Promotion Institute, said, “It is highly meaningful to present content developed through a support program at an international book fair,” adding, “We will support local content so that it can move beyond the development stage to commercialization and entry into overseas markets.”


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