Minister Choi Hwee Young Sends Congratulatory Message to Author Jung Jihoon at 'Lucca Awards': "Elevating the Status of the Birthplace of Webtoons"

Hwee Young Choi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, sent a congratulatory message to author Jung Jihoon, who won the "Yellow Kid Book of the Year" award for his webtoon "Horizon" at the "Lucca Comics & Awards," which concluded on November 2, expressing her congratulations and encouragement.

Hwee Young Choi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

"Lucca Comics & Games" is the largest comics and games event in Europe, held in the Lucca region of Italy since 1966. The "Yellow Kid Book of the Year" award is equivalent to the work of the year and is recognized as one of the most prestigious awards in the global comics industry.

Minister Choi stated, "This award is a remarkable achievement that further elevates the status of the birthplace of webtoons," and highly praised Jung Jihoon's accomplishment. She added, "'Horizon' has received critical acclaim for its delicate depiction of the cyclical nature of loss, family, violence, and friendship, fully utilizing the expressive power of webtoons." She further congratulated Jung, saying, "The ability to resonate with readers worldwide through outstanding expression and direction will serve as an excellent foundation for the future global expansion of K-Webtoons." She also encouraged him by saying, "I sincerely hope you will continue to create wonderful works and become an author who is loved by readers around the world for a long time."

"Horizon" is one of Jung Jihoon's early works, serialized in Korea in 2016. It tells the story of a boy and a girl who lose their parents in a ruined world and, by chance, meet and walk forward together.