“It’s very hard and boring to draw good looking things”: Lookism Author on Why Lee Hyeon-do is His Favorite Character

In recent years, manhwa and webtoons have seen a surge in popularity. Naturally, anime fans are eager to discover other popular Korean manhwa titles that can dominate the internet with their rich storytelling. Among the many popular Korean manhwa titles, Lookism stands out as an instant hit, gaining massive attention with just eight episodes.

Following the release of its first installment, Lookism Season 2 has become a hot topic of discussion among anime fans. After the first season captivated audiences with its gripping plot and top-tier animation, fans are eagerly wondering if Lookism Season 2 is on the horizon.

The webtoon has been ongoing for almost a decade now and has released 458 chapters so far. Par Tae-Joon, the creator behind Lookism, has introduced several compelling characters, yet his favorite to draw was an average, mediocre-looking guy.

Lookism Creator Shares Surprising Details About His Favorite Character

Based on the webtoon created by Park Tae-Joon, Lookism is an original net animation that was released on Netflix on December 8, 2022. Given the widespread praise from the anime community, eager fans are hopeful that production for Lookism Season 2 will begin soon.

The show follows protagonist Park Hyeong-seok, a high schooler who is often harassed by his peers for being unattractive. One day, he wakes up and has a different but fit body which he can use as his original body sleeps. The series deals with the subtle lookism and materialism present in the lives of people living in modern society.

T.Jun, the creator of Lookism, sits down for an exclusive interview about his popular webtoon and the Netflix adaptation pic.twitter.com/ovzJzlpc6Y

— Netflix Anime (@NetflixAnime) December 10, 2022

Park Tae-Joon is highly renowned for featuring complex themes, which left a memorable impression on its audience. Lookism explores school bullying, body shaming, self-esteem, and society’s perception of us vs our perception of self, through the eyes of its protagonist.

Undoubtedly, Lookism has become one of Netflix’s standout shows, amassing a huge fanbase with just eight episodes. Interestingly, in an interview, Lookism‘s creator revealed that, for him, the favorite character isn’t the best-looking one but an average, plain-looking guy who steals the spotlight. Park Tae-Joon said:

The easy one to draw, I guess the protagonist, who was chubby in the beginning was the easiest one to draw but we can’t see him as he lost weight. So one of the easier characters to draw is gone now. A character called Lee Hyeon-do is very fun to draw. He has a face that looks very unique. So I can freely use different expressions.

Park Tae-Joon mentions that drawing every character too fabulous and good-looking came with its own demerits. Therefore, it was interesting for the creator to use his creativity on other characters with Lee Hyeon-do being the standout. He added:

It’s very hard and boring to only draw good-looking things, but when I draw him, I can use various expressions, so it’s fun to draw. Right now, I think Lee Hyeon-do is an interesting character to draw, rather than the easiest one.

Indeed, Lookism has taken over the internet, captivating several fans with its rich characters and storytelling. Much to fans’ delight, the original webtoon has enough materials for a second or even a third season. Having made its debut back in 2014 on Naver Webtoon, Lookism has released 468 chapters so far.

Korean Webtoon Platform Shuts Down 170 Piracy Sites, Sparking Fan Reactions

Naver Webtoon’s recent actions against piracy websites have shaken the entire manga-anime industry. Reportedly, the Korean Webtoon platform has filed a DMCA subpoena request for over 170 piracy websites and is currently preparing legal action against only three big piracy sites.

The Webtoon platform’s legal action has created a lot of commotion in the manga-anime industry. Although piracy sites promote unlawful distribution, they have also introduced several fans to the lesser-known world of Korean Webtoons. Not to forget, the Webtoon platform provides a very unpleasant experience for readers, especially with its paid services charging the user for every chapter.

Naturally, within hours the news took over the entire internet, leaving fans worried about their go-to piracy sites’ future. Fans find themselves in a bittersweet situation, where turning to piracy sites feels like the only option. However, if Naver Webtoon’s legal efforts succeed, it could jeopardize potential anime adaptations for popular manhwas like The Beginning After the End, The Legend of the Northern Blade, and more.

Lookism can be read on Naver or Webtoons, whereas Season 1 is available to watch on Netflix