Character dolls are sparking all-night "open-run" queues as fans rush to buy them.

This comes amid the box office success of the Japanese animated film "Chiikawa."

Chiikawa is known in South Korea under the abbreviated title "Meonjakgwi," which translates to "something small and cute."

Released on September 30, the animated film has surpassed 1 million cumulative viewers within just ten days of its release, driving its soaring popularity.

A ticketing analysis by a multiplex cinema showed that viewers in their 20s accounted for 47 percent of ticket reservations.

This popularity is also evident in the merchandise market.

At a permanent store in Yongsan, Seoul, hundreds of teams lined up even before opening, and first-come, first-served promotional gifts at movie theaters are selling out one after another.

Experts note that its appeal goes beyond simply being cute.

In the story, the Chiikawa characters work to make a living and even study for certification exams to earn higher pay, only to face repeated setbacks.

Analysts suggest that the reality depicted in the animation resonates deeply with young people today who are accustomed to job shortages, high inflation, and unstable employment.

(Photo courtesy of IPark Mall)