TALK! TALK! KOREA 2015
Webtoons are the latest trend in Korea especially for those who are bored out of their minds and have access to the computer. And surprisingly, there are copious unique yet talented authors and illustrators residing in Korea who will get you lost in the fantastic worlds that they have created.
Webtoons are comics that get released on a weekly basis via popular portal sites such as Naver and Daum. They have a huge community of people who visit these sections on a daily basis.
We've gathered 15 popular webtoons that have been reinterpreted for dramas and movies. Perhaps these will inspire you to create your own webtoon and submit it to 'Talk! Talk! Korea 2015' global sweepstakes. First place winners will be awarded with a round-trip ticket to Korea!
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'Pretty Boy' by Chun Kye Young
One line synopsis: A pretty boy's escapade to seduce women who are in power in hopes of riding on their success using his ridiculously good looks, and a poor girl who falls head-over-heels for the boy.
Why we love it: The detail in the illustration is impeccable and it's aesthetically pleasing. Just like the drama, you will get frustrated and find it ridiculous that this good looking guy is just using women for his own good. Nonetheless, it's a light hearted storyline that will help you pass the time and keep you thoroughly interested throughout.
Orange Marmalade
One line synopsis: Fantasy romance between a girl who is a vampire and a popular boy
Why we love it: The love story between a vampire and a human has been trending ever since 'Twilight' and with this, it puts a new 'Korean' twist to it.
Find it: http://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/orange-marmalade/list?title_no=97 (English ver.)'Peep at him Everyday' by Yoo Hyun Sook
One line synopsis: A severely introverted girl forms one-sided love for a guy who lives nearby by stealing glances at him.
Why we love it: The innocent romance story between the main female and male character and the underlying societal issues such as individualism, voyeurism, and severance from society that are portrayed within each characters.
Find it: http://webtoon.daum.net/webtoon/view/peekinghim
*The title has been changed to 'Flower Boy Next Door' for the drama.
'Hyde, Jekyll Me' by Lee Choong Ho
One line synopsis: Love story between a sensationalized novelist who suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID) and a girl who starts to fall in love despite the confusion.
Why we love it: The story of Jekyll and Hyde has been told, retold, and revamped so many times, but it was never like this.
Find it: http://webtoon.daum.net/webtoon/view/jekyllhyde'The Girl Who Can See Smells'
One line synopsis: A supernatural girl who can see smells meets a cub officer, and the two go on to solve small to criminal cases, all the while falling in love with one another.
Why we love it: Though it is considered as a thriller, it is refreshing to see the main characters go through various changes in their characteristics as they face each turning point in their lives. The female character is definitely your generic damsel in distress, but is the one to fight off her initial fears as well as her traumatic past.
Find it: http://webtoon.olleh.com/toon/timesList.kt?webtoonseq=15 )'Fashion King'
One line synopsis: Story about adolescents who want to look fabulous.
Why we love it: It's ridiculously funny and the author's sense of humor is 4D yet it is translated so well in his illustrations. The storyline doesn't revolve around a romantic relationship and it exhibits the extremely superficial culture that Korean high school students have adapted.
Find it: http://comic.naver.com/webtoon/list.nhn?titleId=325629&weekday=thu'Secretly, Greatly' by Hun
One line synopsis: An elite North Korean spy is tasked with a duty and is sent to South Korea.
Why we love it: It has a good balance of humorous and serious elements. It's also interesting to see the discord between the intense patriotism that North Korean spies have for their country and the brotherhood that the spies develop during their assignment in South Korea.
Find it: http://webtoon.daum.net/webtoon/view/covertness
'Transperceneige' by Yoon Tae Ho
One line synopsis: A story about the last people on earth who are struggling to survive while living inside a train that has been running non-stop on the tracks for 17 years.
Why people love it: Shows the cruel reality of hierarchy and human beings when it comes to power and the helpless feelings of finally accepting that, in order for the majority to be happy, there needs to be order. This is the fight for power and deeper thoughts when it comes to hierarchy.
Find it: http://webtoon.daum.net/webtoon/viewer/21851'Pure Love Comic' by Kang Pool
One line synopsis: An innocent and pure love story between an awkward middle-aged man and a female high school student.
Why we love it: Despite the age gap between the two characters, the storyline is engaging and brings out a sense of nostalgia to when people would become lovers in the most authentic way. It makes you want to believe in fate and serendipity again.
Find it: http://webtoon.daum.net/webtoon/view/kangpool'Shut up Flower Boy Band' by Choi Yeji
One line synopsis: Ridiculously youthful story of the mischievous six-member band group, 'Eye Candy.'
Why we love it: It's a story about six beautiful boys who play in a band together, who wouldn't want to read about that?
Find it: http://comics.nate.com/webtoon/list.php?btno=41613'Cat Funeral' by Writer Hong
One line synopsis: Two years after their love faded, an ex-couple reunite in order to pay rightful condolences to the cat they had raised together when they were dating.
Why we love it: Ex-couple get together after two years since their break up because the cat that they used to raise together dies. The storyline is pretty bizarre, but the writer does a good job making the impossible possible as you go through this seamless webtoon series. It's also interesting to see the changes that the characters go through during their two-year gap and how they come together in the end. The power of nostalgia.
Find it: http://webtoon.daum.net/webtoon/view/cat'We Broke Up' by Ryu Che Rin
One line synopsis: An ex-boyfriend and girlfriend continue to live together due to financial issues even after they break up.
Why we love it: It is relatable for those who have experienced a heartbreak after being in a long-term relationship. Relationships come and go, but there are ones that you just can't let go of. Though the circumstances seem unrealistic, the emotions are real and honestly might be able to bring you to tears.
Find it: http://comic.naver.com/webtoon/list.nhn?titleId=635989*This drama has not yet aired, but reports have confirmed that 2NE1's Dara and WINNER's Kang Seung Yoon will be taking on lead roles!
'Misaeng' by Yoon Tae Ho
One line synopsis: Story about people who are struggling to succeed in their life one move after the other.
Why we love it: Never has there been such a heartwarming storyline about normal office workers that was this relatable. It draws out the minor to major issues that employees will face at least once in their work field, all the while bringing hope to ordinary people, such as Jang Gu Rae, to never give up despite what the circumstances may be.
Find it: http://webtoon.daum.net/webtoon/view/miseng
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