Webtoon, a combination of web and cartoon, is the Internet cartoon, and it has been getting lots of attention for years on the major online portal sites such as NAVER and Daum in Korea. For years, the number of Webtoons has continued to increase, influencing book and design markets. Sometimes famous Webtoons are made into movies. “Hello Schoolgirl”(2008) and “Moss”(2010) were originally cartoons by Kang Do Young, whose pen name is Kang Pull.

The Kookmin Review had a chance to interview the Kookminian Webtoonist, Na Seung Hoon, who has his webtoon section on NAVER. Na’s “Don’t Lose Your Mind (Nohjima Jungshinjul)” is uploaded twice a week, and is exactly the story of a family whose members are always losing their minds.

Webtoons attract netizens with easy access. Many portal sites provide webtoons for free. Netizens can read webtoons with just a few clicks. “The merit of a webtoon is its easy access, but because of that sometimes webtoons are regarded as a subculture,” says Na, who worries about the low reputation of his creations.

Another characteristic of webtoons is the ease with which they communicate with readers. Many webtoonists manage their own blog or personal site, so readers can visit their homepage and send them messages. “I got some messages from readers, most of whom were elementary students requesting help with their school assignments, and frequently I received swearing. Among them, I have received sincere letters only twice. For that I was really thankful,” he added.

His episodes are twisted with some stories. °∞Na’s cartoons attract readers with cute characters and twisted stories of today's busy days,” Shin Seong Su, a high school student says. Where do the ideas come from? Na tries to find ideas from his daily life. “I co-work with a story writer, so I don’t have to weigh too much on the story. However, I should find small episodes in an organized story. It is really stressful when I face a lack of ideas. Finding ideas is really difficult. I try to find ideas from my friends and my own experience.”

Making two episodes a week is really hard with school assignments as well. “My days are busy. When I have to do both school assignments and draw comic episodes, I lose my mind,” he smiles.

This year was a special year for him. In February this year, his webtoon was published, and he also worked for his graduation exhibition. After graduation, he will serve his military duty, so his episode will finish in summer next year. However his eagerness to create will continue.

THE KOOKMIN REVIEW No. 22
Lee G Hae Reporter / hottoto@kookmin.ac.kr