South Korean webtoon creator Cho Gwang Jin, best known for Itaewon Class, encouraged young Filipino artists to draw from personal experience and approach content creation with clear direction during a recent lecture in Manila.
Speaking at “Sketching Beginnings,” held at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and organized by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, Cho shared his creative journey with students and aspiring artists. The event was part of the Philippine International Comics Festival 2025, in partnership with Komiket and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
Cho rose to international recognition through Itaewon Class, first published on Daum Webtoon in 2016. The story, which follows an ex-convict opening a bar in Seoul’s Itaewon district while seeking justice for his father’s death, was later adapted into a television drama that became a global hit on Netflix.
During the talk, Cho highlighted the “One Source Multi Use” strategy, emphasizing the value of creating content that can expand across different media. He noted that Itaewon Class had inspired not only a series but also a real-life restaurant.
“All these are interconnected through a single creative plan,” he said in Korean.
Cho spoke about his early interest in comics, inspired by Slam Dunk, One Piece, and Naruto, and his struggles entering the industry. After military service, financial challenges prevented him from continuing school, forcing him to juggle part-time jobs while preparing comic submissions.
“I asked myself: Why do I keep on failing? Why can’t I do this? Am I not a good writer?” he recalled.
He admitted that his earlier work lacked planning and that he hesitated to accept feedback.
“I was afraid to show my projects to others. I learned that it is always better to have a comment from someone else,” he said.
Cho urged students to turn their own experiences into creative material, noting that his exposure to various jobs and people eventually enriched his storytelling.
“They graduated from college and are good writers and drawers. But I tried different part-time jobs, met a lot of people, and was exposed to various atmospheres,” he said. “It means that I have many stories in my mind.”
He also stressed that storytelling must be accompanied by clear goals and structure.
“For you to plot the story development, you have to know yourself best,” he said.
After the lecture, participants were invited to create a four-panel comic, with Cho offering guidance and feedback. He praised the energy and creativity of the students and expressed appreciation for their efforts.
“I will do my best to become a better writer so I can further motivate you,” he said.
