Mention the name Sonokong, and most people picture the South Korean toy titan behind hit animated franchises like Turning Mecard or Hello Carbot. But surprisingly, this playful empire didn’t start with toys—it started with plumbing fixtures.

Humble Beginnings Under a Different Name (1974–1986)

Back in February 1974, founder Choi Shin-kyu launched a small venture named Hyupsung Industry, primarily focused on manufacturing faucets and brass plumbing parts. It wasn't until 1986 that he pivoted into the world of imagination, founding Seoul Chemical to step fully into toy manufacturing.

His breakthrough product? Sticky toys—the elastic, tacky novelty hands that could stick to walls. The line became an instant sensation, laying a rock-solid financial foundation for the company's rapid growth.

The Birth of "Sonokong" and the Golden Era (1996)

After accumulating more than a decade of industry expertise, the business formally incorporated and rebranded as Sonokong Co., Ltd. in November 1996. (The name Sonokong is the Korean moniker for Sun Wukong, the mythical Monkey King.)

This marked the dawn of a golden era. Sonokong expanded beyond basic manufacturing into high-profile import partnerships and joint ventures with international industry leaders.

The Legend of the Jenny Doll (1997–2005): Takara Meets Sonokong

One of the most iconic chapters in Sonokong’s history was its strategic partnership with Japanese toy giant Takara (now Takara Tomy). Though their import relationship began in 1992, the absolute standout moment for fans was the localized production and release of the Jenny doll.

• The Golden Years: Sonokong held the licensing rights to produce and distribute Jenny dolls across South Korea from 1997 through 2005.
• What Made Them Special: Sonokong’s Jenny dolls featured distinct styling, face molds, and wardrobe choices tailored specifically to Korean sensibilities. They became an absolute must-have for young girls at the time and remain highly sought-after holy grails for vintage doll collectors today.

From a modest faucet factory to a pioneer of legendary fashion dolls and an industry powerhouse, Sonokong stands as proof that imagination, timing, and adaptability can turn any business into a legacy.

I love them so much. It's a pity I took off their original outfits and can't find them anymore. They are another truly beautiful Asian doll line. I once read a bit of their history saying they were inspired by Barbie, and the first releases even used Barbie as a base!

Sweet and adorable with Licca, the playful tanned beauty.

In the world of Jenny doll collecting, we are familiar with Takara’s standard releases from both Japan and China across various eras. However, this particular set of "4 Jenny Dolls" possesses unique characteristics that set them completely apart from other models released during the same period, raising several intriguing questions.

• Distinctive Makeup Tone and Facial Features: Typically, China- or Japan-made Jenny dolls of that era featured pink-toned skin, brown eyes, fine brown eyelashes, and orange lips. In contrast, these four dolls feature a completely different makeup color palette, along with noticeably thicker and bolder eyebrows than standard China-made Jennies from the same era.
• Untraceable History: Despite extensive searches through major collector reference books and global online Jenny archives, no records of these four dolls appear in any official catalog or registry.
• Puzzling Text on the Box: The most unusual detail is the statement printed on the back of the box, which reads "Designed by Takara Japan"—a specific wording never seen on standard Jenny packaging.

Based on all these clues—from the unique makeup details and their total absence from global catalogs to the special design statement on the box—it strongly suggests that these four Jenny dolls may have been a custom-manufactured (OEM) special release produced exclusively for sale in Thailand.

Elegance in a kimono