Manhwa, the Korean word for cartoons, comic strips, comic books and graphic novels, provide their fans with many a delight. When it comes to comic books, fans have to wait eagerly for the next issue to hit the presses. When transformed into new versions, such as dramas and films, manhwa fans are provided with a new experience that brings their favorite characters to life in a different format. In recent years, online distribution and comic book apps—turning traditional comic strips into so-called “webtoons”—have widened the fan base even further, helping to overcome the constraints of time and space.
Comic book characters, traditionally bound by the comic book page, animated film or computer screen, are now beginning to make their mark in daily life, too.
Seoul recently introduced its citizens to a new cartoon street, Zaemiro, in downtown Seoul. Visitors can see their favorite characters smile, laugh and fight on every corner of the street.
Zaemiro begins as a tiny alley squeezed between Exits 2 and 3 of Myeongdong Station, along subway line No. 4. Stretching from the 1970’s robot Jjibba, to the ‘80’s Run Hany, and reaching up to the prince and princess featured in 2002’s “Gung,” or “Princess Hours,” a variety of cartoon characters hide in every nook and cranny of the street, giving a complete overview of Korea’s manhwa history.
Taking a stroll along the half-a-kilometer street, visitors will come across on their right the manhwa-themed comic book museum, Zaemirang. The three-story gallery opened last December and now holds a special exhibition on Korea’s most prominent cartoon and comic book artists, including “webtoon” artists. The profiles of nine artists, with highlighted scripts and scenes and copies of their work notes, are on display.
Starting this week, every Saturday cartoonists will be invited, one at a time, to Zaemirang to spend time with their fans. A “Cartoon Concert” will also be held, during which comic book artists will draw pictures while enjoying a live performance by a local indie band.
The rooftop cartoon reading room is the most popular spot in the whole building. People can enjoy a wide range of comics and “webtoons” while sitting on the heated floor.
*Zaemirang is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free of charge. (www.zaemirang.com)
Kim Yoon-hyuck and Lee Min-hee, both in their 20s, were there reading in the rooftop arcade. Kim said, “We dropped by this cartoon building on our way to Namsan Mountain. I am personally a great fan of all comic books, and so I love this place. It is interesting to see and learn about these popular cartoon artists. It is also great to read comic books in a calm and comfortable place.”
If you are not satisfied with the number of volumes on the shelves in Zaemirang’s reading room, it is highly recommended you walk along to the end of the street, some 10 minutes by foot, to reach the Seoul Animation Center. Across the street from it, you can find a diverse array of cartoon character statues, including statues of Larva and Pororo, two popular cartoon characters. At the Seoul Animation Center visitors can enjoy their cartoons in the form of exhibitions, performances, magic shows and more.
The House of Cartoon, located inside the Seoul Animation Center, is a three-story library housing a total of 56,000 items, including 48,000 comic books and 8,000 animation videos. About 500 people visit this place each week. Manager Park Kyoung-jin, part of the Ani-Town Team at the Seoul Business Agency, said, “Since we started stocking Korean comic books in foreign languages, series that have already been exported, we’ve seen a growing number of foreign tourists.”
The Zaemiro street, starting at Myeongdong Station and running to the entry point of Namsan Mountain, is expected to attract even more crowds this year. More and more manhwa are planned to be translated into foreign languages. Also, to boost communication with comic book fans, Zaemirang will expand the scope of its programs, to include more “Talk with Fans” sessions, open animation classes and explore various new exhibit concepts.
By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr
Comic book characters, traditionally bound by the comic book page, animated film or computer screen, are now beginning to make their mark in daily life, too.
Seoul recently introduced its citizens to a new cartoon street, Zaemiro, in downtown Seoul. Visitors can see their favorite characters smile, laugh and fight on every corner of the street.
Zaemiro is Seoul’s newly opened comic book-themed street in Myeongdong, downtown Seoul. The wall painting on the left shows representative characters created by two of Korea’s iconic cartoonists, Huh Young-man and Lee Hyun-se. (photo: Jeon Han)
Walking along Zaemiro, visitors come across a variety of cartoon characters. (photo: Jeon Han)
Zaemiro begins as a tiny alley squeezed between Exits 2 and 3 of Myeongdong Station, along subway line No. 4. Stretching from the 1970’s robot Jjibba, to the ‘80’s Run Hany, and reaching up to the prince and princess featured in 2002’s “Gung,” or “Princess Hours,” a variety of cartoon characters hide in every nook and cranny of the street, giving a complete overview of Korea’s manhwa history.
Taking a stroll along the half-a-kilometer street, visitors will come across on their right the manhwa-themed comic book museum, Zaemirang. The three-story gallery opened last December and now holds a special exhibition on Korea’s most prominent cartoon and comic book artists, including “webtoon” artists. The profiles of nine artists, with highlighted scripts and scenes and copies of their work notes, are on display.
Starting this week, every Saturday cartoonists will be invited, one at a time, to Zaemirang to spend time with their fans. A “Cartoon Concert” will also be held, during which comic book artists will draw pictures while enjoying a live performance by a local indie band.
The rooftop cartoon reading room is the most popular spot in the whole building. People can enjoy a wide range of comics and “webtoons” while sitting on the heated floor.
*Zaemirang is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free of charge. (www.zaemirang.com)
Zaemirang is holding a special exhibition on nine famous comic book artists. (photo: Jeon Han)
A couple browses the comic book library in the rooftop reading room. (photo: Jeon Han)
There is an outdoor space adjacent to the rooftop reading room. Visitors can bring their favorite issues outside and read them in the open air. (photo: Jeon Han)
Kim Yoon-hyuck and Lee Min-hee, both in their 20s, were there reading in the rooftop arcade. Kim said, “We dropped by this cartoon building on our way to Namsan Mountain. I am personally a great fan of all comic books, and so I love this place. It is interesting to see and learn about these popular cartoon artists. It is also great to read comic books in a calm and comfortable place.”
Postcards with your favorite cartoon characters are available at Zaemirang.
If you are not satisfied with the number of volumes on the shelves in Zaemirang’s reading room, it is highly recommended you walk along to the end of the street, some 10 minutes by foot, to reach the Seoul Animation Center. Across the street from it, you can find a diverse array of cartoon character statues, including statues of Larva and Pororo, two popular cartoon characters. At the Seoul Animation Center visitors can enjoy their cartoons in the form of exhibitions, performances, magic shows and more.
The House of Cartoon, inside the Seoul Animation Center, is stocked with a variety of comic books, from masterpieces to new editions. (photo: Jeon Han)
The House of Cartoon, located inside the Seoul Animation Center, is a three-story library housing a total of 56,000 items, including 48,000 comic books and 8,000 animation videos. About 500 people visit this place each week. Manager Park Kyoung-jin, part of the Ani-Town Team at the Seoul Business Agency, said, “Since we started stocking Korean comic books in foreign languages, series that have already been exported, we’ve seen a growing number of foreign tourists.”
The Zaemiro street, starting at Myeongdong Station and running to the entry point of Namsan Mountain, is expected to attract even more crowds this year. More and more manhwa are planned to be translated into foreign languages. Also, to boost communication with comic book fans, Zaemirang will expand the scope of its programs, to include more “Talk with Fans” sessions, open animation classes and explore various new exhibit concepts.
By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr
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