Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
‘Lineage’ author Shin Il-sook returns after 8 years with new comic
Cartoonist Shin Il-sook works on her new online comic “Manu’s Daughters.” Courtesy of Korea Cartoonist Association
By Baek Byung-yeul
Veteran cartoonist Shin Il-sook, best known for “Lineage,” which was adapted into a globally popular game, is making her highly anticipated return with a new online comic, “Manu’s Daughters” (tentative title).
The new work, debuting on Naver Webtoon eight years after her last series “Kaya,” is a significant moment for the artist, who is also concluding her six-year tenure as president of the Korea Cartoonist Association.
Shin, known for her relentless passion for creating, revealed that “Manu’s Daughters” is rooted in a dream she had four decades ago.
“About 40 years ago, I had a vivid dream and promised myself I would turn it into a comic. It has finally become ‘Manu’s Daughters,’” she said Tuesday through the association.
In 1986, she published one of her biggest hits, “Four Daughters of Armian,” combining this dream with her interest in the Persian Wars and Greek historian Herodotus’ “Histories.”
“‘Manu’s Daughters’ is a more faithful representation of that dream, and this work will be a gift to the fans of ‘Four Daughters of Armian,’” she said.
A scene from cartoonist Shin Il-sook’s new online comic “Manu’s Daughters” / Courtesy of Korea Cartoonist Association
“Manu’s Daughters” tells the story of Queen Manu, who bridges the gap between gods and humans, and her daughters, who use their special abilities to forge their own destinies.
Fans of “Four Daughters of Armian” and those who enjoy deep storytelling and realistic characters will find this series particularly compelling. The cartoon will offer a special experience, allowing readers to compare the new characters with the four protagonists from Shin’s previous masterpiece.
Making her debut in 1984 with fantasy work “Princess of the Lion,” Shin has created numerous classics, including “Athens of Love,” “Lineage” and “Pharaoh’s Lover,” shaping the landscape of comic books and magazines in Korea.
Her creative drive has seamlessly carried her into the modern online comic era. Like many of her peers, she has fully adapted to digital creation, handling everything from storyboards to inking on a digital platform. Despite this, her artistic philosophy remains steadfastly focused on the essence of storytelling rather than chasing trends.
“While preparing ‘Manu’s Daughters,’ I focused on developing a deep narrative and preserving the characters’ emotional journeys, rather than catering to the fast-paced webtoon trends of today,” Shin explained.
Lifelong dedication to comics
A scene from cartoonist Shin Il-sook’s new online comic “Manu’s Daughters” / Courtesy of Korea Cartoonist Association
The cartoonist said her goal is to create a “long-lasting comic” that resonates with readers for a long time. “My goal is to create a work that will still be relevant in 10 or 20 years,” she said.
When asked about the secret to her continuous creative output, Shin, who has juggled her leadership role at the Korea Cartoonist Association with her personal work, simply said, “Because drawing comics is what I love and enjoy the most.”
She acknowledged the difficult moments that arise when creating a series, but the “ecstasy” she feels when her art and story come together as she intended is the driving force that helps her overcome any pain.
Shin shared that her biggest goal this year is to successfully conclude her role as association president and return to her primary identity as a creator.
“When I was in my 20s, I thought I would quit drawing comics by the time I turned 50. But when I reached that age, I kept having new ideas for stories I wanted to create, so I continued my work,” she said. Shin expressed her hope to remain an active artist throughout her life as long as her creative ideas continue to flow.