The world of digital Korean comics is notorious because of full-color chapters released every week. Writer and illustrator duo Haga and Jiyoung Kang share insights on how they work together in popular Korean bl series, King’s Manufacturer. Currently, the series and its sequels have accumulated Tappytoon’s 33 million views. But how can two people distribute their work between themselves and stay ahead of a tight deadline?
Originally released in 2017 King’s Manufacturer The dramatic story between Wolfgang and Soohyuk has attracted the attention of readers all over the world. Rich world building, landscapes of various characters and illustrations give people a deeper depth than other series of the time. However, the world behind the creation of the world King’s Manufacturer Not easy. Even in the two years between the first release King’s Manufacturer The series and sequels, the two authors have no rest. Jiyoung Kang and Haga have been working. They construct their own story and complete episodes before the deadline, so they won’t end up rushing to finish the chapter before release.
In Animenyc 2025, Haga and Jiyoung Kang conducted an anime news network about the origins of Anime News network King’s Manufacturertheir working relationships, and how they stay floating without burning.
How did your partnership as a writer and illustrator begin? I’ve read that some other authors have found illustrators through social media, but before work, you’ve known each other King’s Manufacturer?
Jiyoung Kang: We have a unique job. We share 50/50 responsibility on stories and illustrations. This framework is unique. Plus, we were friends before that.
Do: When she first finished her followers, I was her fan [comic]she is also a fan of me. But we don’t know that we are readers of each other’s work. Later, we shared our hobbies and exchanged illustrations and Manhava. We found each other and started working together. We both can do illustration work and stories. That’s why it comes to this masterpiece.
The story also includes themes of violence and maturity, such as Soohyuk being forced slavery and abuse by the king when he was a teacher. Most of the story of trauma being with him remained on him and he found it difficult to trust others. Why are you focusing on this aspect of the Soohyuk character, from retaining to becoming more trusting and open later on?
Do: No one is perfect. I believe everyone needs to rely on each other’s growth and they can fill these gaps together. Wolfgang learned a lot from Soohyuk Shin and became king. Soohyuk is cured because he meets Wolfgang.
kang: I believe that all the difficulties of their childhood were the basis for their growth.
Wolfgang, on the other hand, is almost an honest, rude person. He was very bold when it came to his feelings and kissed Soohyuk in front of a room full of people. If he didn’t use his magic blessing to make Surick’s glasses, would he use his third blessing?
Do: It sounds like a comic or story, but I believe it will be used for Soohyuk’s security. Whatever it is, it will be used for his reasons.
At the beginning of the story, Wolfgang and Surick are teenagers, and as the story continues, Wolfgang and Surick become adults. Why do you start with a young character rather than an adult character?
Do: I believe childhood is crucial. The message I want to portray is that all you need is a person to help you get better.
What inspired fantasy stories and environments, and different couples King’s Manufacturer?
kang: Our theme is love. We want to illustrate the diversity and form of love. Although classified as blthere are also heterosexual couples and a GL couple in the story. We want to express as much as possible.
Do: Not only do we express it through romantic love, but we also want to show how grandparents love their grandchildren. and love between non-human and human beings. I believe this is a comprehensive form of love.
The Webtoon and comics schedule is very intense, as the work must be completely colored when it is released. Some artists in the comics/Webtoon industry have shared their packaged schedules, but can you share your work schedules separately, between writing, sharing ideas, and then drawing a chapter of scenes?
kang: Let’s write a story together and when we confirm the script, we set up the content. The next step is line work and color. Finally, we added a finishing effect. Before that, we shared all the steps with each other. If Haga gives me the script, I can give her the draft content. If she approves, then I will give her boundary art. If she colored me, I could edit it. Sometimes she can make sound effects.
Do: When I receive the line work, I may find the parts I want to change; I will fix them and make changes before returning them. Sometimes, if I find the scene more suitable for her job, even if I was originally assigned to my job, I could refer the job to her because she is very skilled. At first we would have a meeting, but then we had a mutual understanding and naturally rebounded back and forth.
How long does it take to make a chapter in total?
kang: About six days.
Do: Sometimes it takes more than a week to complete a job. When I finished the first phase of my work, she went through the second phase. Plus, we communicate ideas with each other and we are able to cut the piece in half.
kang: Because we are two people.
Did these chapters initially appear weekly? Work done in six days and published on the seventh day seems very intense.
kang: This is possible.
Do: Most importantly, we set the completion of any given scene. We prepare for the ending scenario so that some other facts don’t affect us because we know what our goal is.
Is there any point to burn that you need a break?
kang: Can I speak easily? I usually go to karaoke myself. As far as I know, Haga went to the game on the arcade DDR or Pump up. We have our own method.
Do: We will never push each other because we trust each other.
From your busy schedule, the first series King’s Manufacturer Run for 7 months in 2017 and returned to the sequel series in 2019 King Manufacturer: Triple Crown. Have you decided to make a sequel sooner?
kang: Yes, yes, we decided on the sequel first.
Do: Actually, we set Triple Crown first King’s Manufacturer Series, it’s a prequel, not a sequel.
Do you decide when to take a break, for example, two years between the two King’s Manufacturer and King Manufacturer: Triple Crown?
Do: When we get into the middle of the series, we are sure we won’t delay. We try to have more save episodes, which means we work farther and prepare longer than we expected. It took about two years to end.
There is both a full-year version and a mature version King Manufacturer: Triple Crown. Mature versions include redrawing and even new scenes. How did you decide to change between the two versions?
kang: Because we planned it King Manufacturer: Triple Crown First, mature, uncensored people, but…
Do: King’s Manufacturer Leaders with teenagers are teenagers and are suitable for all ages. Therefore, many readers are underage. If we only have mature version King’s Manufacturer Triple Crownthen we will give up on underage readers. That’s why we have two different versions.
kang: The difference is that it contains That (laugh).
The series has a lot of thought into designs that integrate into story, magic and world building. There are many shots of the landscape and background, for Manhava/Webtoon series due to a lot of effort. Why do you want to include such a detailed world?
Do: This story includes different themes of love, and different kinds of love have different characteristics. We think it needs to use it as a fantasy, keeping the worldview there, because it binds them together. This is why many different scenes and scenery are added.
How many worlds did you plan for before writing a story?
kang: Well, it’s a very interesting story for readers. In our worldview, there is a map. There is a 2D version and a 3D version. There is a preset about which direction the building is. These are predetermined. When you notice this, you will find something different. We planned a lot. The direction you want to see, the direction you see when you look at it from a certain angle. As for clothing, there are many different types, because Haga has special content she wants to express, including letters and written language.
Do: We use this story as a drama, such as pretending to be a drama or a hobby. That’s why we include a lot of stuff in the story. I believe it will take about a year or two to build a world. In the first year, we just played. There are a lot of things in this world and we ultimately decide that all of these materials could become a job.
King’s Manufacturer Obtained physical prints in Korean and English. How do you feel about the international success and reception of the series?
Do: Haga: Since the theme is many different love, it makes sense to get a unique love for our work. King’s Manufacturer In different countries, many different people are accepted by many different people.
kang: When I work this way, I get a lot of SNS messages. These messages are composed in many foreign languages. I was able to figure out that they liked it. We are actually fascinated and amazed because they love us so much.
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