Comics or Manhwa (만화)

Comics are also called: Manhwa (만화)in Korean, Manga ( マンガ)or Komikko ( コミック) in Japanese or Manhua (漫画) in simplified Chinese.

'Manhwa' is a general Korean term for comics, print cartoons as well as the animated cartoons. It is disputed when Manhwa first appeared on the world scene – in Japan it dates back to the 12th Century. They are a common form of art since the 18th Century onwards.

Manhwa is what we grew up with. In Pakistan, our very own Pakistan Television (PTV) had for years (in 80s and early 90’s) a very strong tradition of showing these cartoons from Japan dubbed in English. That's where I had my first-hand exposure. I also remember that when I was an elementary school student, I desperately wanted to own a ‘shojo’ manga pencil case (last photograph)– it took me years to own one. Honestly speaking, these cartoons still have the power to bring me to a standstill. They still fascinate me. Old habits die hard. Really. By the way, almost all the universities have an animation department in Korea. It is a very competative program - graduates are hired right away - mainly in Korean, Japanese and American companies.

Anyhow, Manhwa is riding the Korean wave. It has a huge readership and viewer-ship among all the different age groups. It is estimated that Comics have a market of over 10 billion dollars between Korea and Japan only. I also witnessed times, when Korea banned Japanese comics into the Korean market and Japan banning Korean dramas and movies in the Japanese market - which was later resolved probably between 2002-2003. In recent years, I came across many comics turned dramas and movies. Some of them include: Full House, Princess Hours (궁)and my personal favorite a comic turned movie: ‘Hello, Schoolgirl (순정만화 / Sunjeong Manhwa;).’ Korea, like the rest of the world, is still in a grip of the American series called "HEROES" which is originally based on a comic. Everybody on a bus, subway, bus-stop could be seen watching it.

Some of the famous comic characters include: Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Phantom and so on.....They are NOT heroes they are SUPERHEROES - you see!

If you are in Korea, don't forget to visit an exhibition: “Manga Realities: Exploring the Art of Japanese Comics Today”
• Period: through February, 2011
• Opening Hours: 11am ~ 7pm (Closed on Mondays)
• Entry Fee: Adult 3,000 won / Student 1,500 won
• Artists: Matsumoto Taiyo, Igarashi Daisuke, Anno Moyoco, Ninomiya Tomoko
• Hosted by: Artsonje Center, The Japan Foundation
• Organized by: SAMUSO, The Japan Foundation
• Cooperated by: Contemporary Art Center, Art Tower Mito
For inquiries, contact Artsonje Center Tel. 02-733-8945.