Create stories that make you want to keep reading, Choi Gyu-seok

In the early 2000s, when the Korean cartoon market was barren, Webtoonist Choi Gyu-seok created easy-to-read stories and styles that appealed to readers who were not familiar with cartoons.

In this class, learn the unique skills of Choi Gyu-seok that can appeal to readers even if it does not fit into the “sure-fire formula” in the webtoon market.

This Class Is For :

Aspiring webtoonists
Those who want to gain creator Choi Gyu-seok’s unique creation know-how
Webtoonists who need inspiration
Those who want to find out about the behind-the-scene of 『Awl』, 『Sad Homage to Dooly』, and more.

CREATOR STORY

Creation is a sweet pain that makes us grow.

Artist Choi Gyu-seok has been expressing social issues with acerbic style through his works <Awl>, <Sad Homage to Dooly>, <100℃>, and more.

He depicts the reality that public can’t see in his works and earned public interest and empathy.

But his interest is not limited to this.

Having presented <The Hell>, a webtoon created jointly with director Yeon Sang-Ho who directed <Train to Busan>, which is in a completely different style to his previous works, Choi Gyu-seok's eyes sparkle when he says ‘I just wanted to tell a really exciting story, just a fun story.’

With humility, cartoonist Choi Gyu-seok introduces himself as a ‘not-too-successful artist who created cartoons that are not like cartoons’.

But every word he says shows how hard he worked and pondered over the past 20 years as a cartoonist.

Choi Gyu-seok’s class that shows his pride in cartoons and rigor in the creation will equip you with a weapon that will hold you steady in the raging storms that come your way.

Q & A

Q. What element do you regard as the most crucial when creating a story?

I am not a storyteller who can write intriguing stories that take a turn after another. When I write, my attitude is not; 'I am going to nail this thing', but more of 'Let's not screw this'. I aim to make readers keep engaged in my story. That is the most crucial part. I try to make sure that each episode is complete and easy to read, even if they have not started from the very first episode.

Q. What element do you regard as the most essential in the drawing process?

It is critical to set a clear intention and stick to it throughout the entire drawing process. Knowing the purpose of your work is always the most crucial milepost in all creative activities. Anatomical correctness, perspective, and lighting are all secondary matters. The primary question should be: is the priority - the intention - truthfully expressed?

Q. Is there anything that talented artists should be aware of?

Being good at drawing has many advantages in creating cartoons, but it can also be a double-edged blade. People who are good at drawing tend to focus on producing the perfect results without realizing it. On the other hand, those with less talent are fearless in attempting new techniques and do not hesitate to boldly try angles they usually do not try, thus they succeed in creating better outcomes. What we need to seek is not flawless outcomes but what fully conveys the artists' intentions.

Q. Do you have any advice for other webtoonists?

This occupation goes hand in hand with anxiety. The talent you have now may not be there tomorrow. Even if you can maintain your talent, it might become obsolete with age. Unless you decide to quit, worrying and being anxious does nothing but waste your energy. If you are in the middle of creating something, you should focus entirely on that.