It's going to be an exciting couple of days for you comics fans here in Korea.... because a special festival packed with fun hands-on events just kicked off in Bucheon.
Lee Min-sun takes us there.
The 21st Bucheon International Comics Festival,... the largest cartoon festival in Korea, kicked off on Wednesday in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do Province.
It's a chance for fans to pour over their favorite cartoons, movies, animation and games… as well as meet face-to-face with their favorite creators and cartoonists.

"I came out with my family because it’s a holiday. My kids had a fun time, and it was good that I got to see some famous cartoonists at the signing events."


"I have attended Bucheon International Cartoon Festival before, and I came back this year. I dressed up as a huntress from Greek Mythology."

As webtoons are increasingly expanding their scope with lucrative tie-ins with movies, dramas, and stage performances, the theme for this year's festival is 'Comics, and beyond'.
The festival not only highlights the enjoyment so many people get out of comics but also their convergence with various other forms of entertainment.

Blockbuster action fantasy film 'Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days,' which recently set a new ticket sales record in South Korea,... is also based on a popular webtoon.

"It’s a well-made cartoon and the world it created is very sophisticated and there's very strong storytelling. These served as its strong points when it was transformed into a movie"

The climax for fans will be this weekend's cosplay competition, where the best cosplayers from Korea and around the world will show off their weird and wonderful creations.
Cosplayers will march on the road near Bucheon City Hall for fans to enjoy a world cartoon themed cosplay parade.

This festival runs through August 19th…. so there's still plenty of time left to visit Bucheon and enjoy cartoon themed events.
Lee Min Sun, Arirang News.