Writer Kim Se-young and cartoonist Nam Jung-hoon have been selected as recipients of the Achievement Award at the 25th Manhwa Day ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Monday. The Korea Cartoonists Association announced the winners on Wednesday, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the Korean comics industry.
The association chose these two creators to honor Kim's pioneering role in establishing the independent value of comic storytelling and Nam's dedication to building and sustaining the comics ecosystem in Busan. Shin Il-sook, president of the Korea Cartoonist Association, praised Kim as "a pioneer who opened up the horizon of Korean manhwa storytelling and mentor who inspired junior writers." She described Nam as "a reliable lighthouse that sustained the regional comics ecosystem."
Kim Se-young has been a major influence in Korea's comics scene since making his debut in 1973, having written scripts for nearly 200 stories throughout his career. His collaboration with veteran cartoonist Huh Young-man produced several masterpieces that have become iconic in Korean popular culture, including "Oh, Han River," "Mr. Q," and the highly successful "Tazza" series. Through these works and others such as "Rainbow Chaser" and "Gamble City," Kim demonstrated the crucial importance of the comic scriptwriter's role in the creative process.
Reflecting on his career and the honor, Kim expressed gratitude for his unexpected journey into the manhwa world. "This chance encounter, which began in 1973 with a proposal from two friends, led me to the path of manhwa," Kim said during his acceptance. "This award is also for all the story writers who endured the unknown years with me."
Co-recipient Nam Jung-hoon is widely recognized as a central figure in the Busan comics scene, having worked consistently in the industry since his debut with serialized children's comics for Busan MBC. He later expanded into the digital realm with webtoons like "Small" and "Masco Masco." Nam's most significant contribution has been his efforts to establish and maintain the regional comic scene in Busan.
Nam's dedication to the local comics community is best exemplified by his nine years serving as director of the Busan Global Webtoon Festival, a position that allowed him to promote both local and international comic artists. During the decline of the print comics industry, when many artists moved to Seoul or left the field entirely, Nam remained committed to Busan and worked tirelessly to support the local artistic community.
His commitment to regional development extended beyond festival organization. Nam rallied local artists to found the Busan-South Gyeongsang Province Cartoonists Solidarity, creating a support network for comic creators in the region. He also dedicated significant time to cultivating new talent, serving as an adjunct professor at Busan Arts College where he mentored aspiring cartoonists and writers.
In his acceptance remarks, Nam emphasized the collective nature of his achievements and his ongoing commitment to regional comics development. "This award is not mine alone, but a result of the collective efforts of local artists who built the Busan Global Webtoon Festival and those who worked hard behind the scenes," Nam stated. "I will continue to explore ways for regional manhwa to naturally integrate with urban culture," he added, indicating his plans to further bridge the gap between local comic creation and broader cultural trends.
