The Korean Cultural Center in Thailand hosted the opening ceremony of 'K-Webtoon Exhibition' on 10th October at 11AM at the Center. In this exhibition, various videos and images of popular webcomic series from Kakao Webtoon(Kakao) in Thailand, including 'One Day, My Favorite K-Pop Idol Group Leader Disappeared!', which is co-produced by the Center and Kakao to commemorate Thai veterans of Korean War.
In the opening ceremony, H.E. Moon, Seoung-hyun, the Ambassador of the republic of Korea said by his welcoming speech, "I would like to appreciate to Thai veterans who contributed most to the webtoon 'One Day, My Favorite K-Pop Idol Group Leader Disappeared!', the Center produced. Since culture can be developed through two-way, I believe that cultural exchange between Korea and Thailand will be more diversified by this K-webtoon exhibition."
Also, three webtoon artists attended in the ceremony, including Suea Kim, the writer of 'One Day, My Favorite K-Pop Idol Group Leader Disappeared!', Fynnyx, the cartoonist of 'One Day, My Favorite K-Pop Idol Group Leader Disappeared!', and NARAK, the cartoonist of "The Business Proposal". Suea Kim mentioned, "I am very pleased to work this project as it is based on the beautiful history between two countries. I hope that this webtoon will be launched in Korea, and go further, it could be made by co-producing series by Korea and Thailand." Fynnyx said, "It is a great honor as my debut work is not only Thai-Korean collaboration work, but also the meaningful to commemorate Thai Korean War veterans."
The webtoon "The Business Proposal" was produced as TV drama and reached No. 1 as the most watched series in Netflix Thailand this year. The Cartoonist NARAK of "The Business Proposal" has been appointed as the honorary ambassador of K-Webtoon on the ceremony. Also, the Center hosted the meeting with webtoon artists, fan signing event and drawing workshop for aspiring artists, to promote exchange webtoon industry of both countries.
The Thai Webtoon artist ‘Hiruna’ who visited the opening ceremony said, “Webtoon in Thailand is still not that popular, like one in Korea, but it means that it has potential to develop. I think this exhibition will contribute to webtoon industry in Thailand.”
Through this exhibition, various webtoon series not only 'One Day, My Favorite K-Pop Idol Group Leader Disappeared!' and "The Business Proposal", but also "Solo Leveling" and "Solitary Lady". "Solo Leveling" ranked no. 1 in Action Fantasy genre, and "Solitary Lady", the representativecomic in Romance Fantasygenre of Kakao Webtoon in Thailand. The audience can enjoy videos and images of total four webtoons, in the four themed spaces.
For example, under the theme of "Solo Leveling", the audience can watch the action video through the exciting media wall, which is the supersized screen. The mirror room, under the theme of "Solitary Lady", the audience can take selfies utilizing mirrors from many angles. In the theme of "The Business Proposal", the audience can experience to be the comic character, as it is decorated as the office in the comic and can take the instant photo with the character from "One Day, My Favorite K-Pop Idol Group Leader Disappeared!" in the photo booth. The cafe-style space for reading webtoon is also in the exhibition.
The Center and Kakao operated many events, including money donation for Korean war veterans once the reader subscribes 'One Day, My Favorite K-Pop Idol Group Leader Disappeared!', giving webtoon cash in Kakao webtoon application once the reader visits the exhibition, and giveaway of webtoon merchandise.
Exhibition: K-Webtoon Experience
Venue: Korean Cultural Center in Thailand
Date: October 10, 2022 - January 31, 2023
Time: 9AM - 9PM on Mondays - Thursdays / 9AM - 5PM on Friday (except public holidays)