Cartoonist Shin Il-sook, who also serves as president of Korea Cartoonist Association (KCA), poses during a recent interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul Korea Cartoonist Association plans to launch Academy Awards-like ceremony By Baek Byung-yeul The landscape of Korean comics, once overshadowed by Japanese manga, has undergone a significant transformation. Since the 2000s, the rise of webtoons — digital platforms for illustrated storytelling — has allowed Korean comics, now widely known by the native term "manhwa," to establish a distinct identity on the global stage.
Shin Il-sook, the first female president of the Korea Cartoonist Association, is a pivotal figure in this evolving genre. In an era where illustrated storytelling is enjoyed not just in print but also online via mobile devices and PCs, her leadership marks a significant moment in the industry's transformation. A seasoned cartoonist renowned for her popular manhwa such as "Four Daughters of Armian" and "Lineage," Shin expressed profound respect for her fellow Korean cartoonists.
She acknowledged the dedicated efforts of both the artists and industry officials who support and promote their work. History of Korean manhwa "Before the 2000s, Korean manhwa creators faced severe persecution, with comics being labeled as harmful media negatively influencing youth. However, I believe the country's recent manhwa scene is finding its own path, strong.