Huh Young-man

Huh Young-man (born June 26, 1947) is a South Korean manhwa artist.

Early life Huh Young-man was born Huh Hyeong-man in present-day Yeosu, a far southern coastal city of what is now South Jeolla Province, South Korea in 1947. He was the third child of eight children born to father Heo Jong (허종) and mother Park Ok-jeong (박옥정). Before and after the liberation of Korea from Japan in 1945, Huh's father had worked as a local policeman. When the Yeosu Rebellion occurred in 1948, Huh's family was in danger of being killed by the rebels. In contrast to Huh's father, his uncle was a communist, so that Huh's family was ironically protected by both sides. However, Huh was later told that he and his mother could've been killed during an incident in which some communists captured his father. This political conflict strongly influenced Huh's works such as Oh, Han River and Tajja.

After the Korean War was over, Huh's father worked for a while as an administrative officer at the Yeosu Office of Education, then later started his own business. Huh's mother ran a kitchenware store which became successful since Yeosu served as a trading base between neighboring islands.

Huh had wanted to study Western painting at university but because his father's anchovy fishery business was declining, he gave up his dream. Instead, Huh entered the manhwa world as an apprentice to a cartoonist. Since then, Huh's works have been recognized for their literary value and have gained wide popularity among the public. Several have been serialized in local dailies, including Sikgaek (lit. "Gourmet") for The Dong-a Ilbo, and Tajja and Saranghae (lit. "I Love You") for Sports Chosun. His comics have also been adapted into films and television series.

Works Note: the whole section is referenced. Sikgaek (식객, 2003) Boy's king Mangchi (꼬마대장 망치, 2004) Hammerboy Mangchi (해머보이 망치, 2004) Rich's Dictionary (부자사전, 2005) Appearance (꼴, 2008) Superboard (날아라 슈퍼보드) Heo Heo Dongui Bogam (허허 동의보감, 2013) How About a Cup of Coffee? (커피 한잔 할까요?, 2015, co-writer: Lee Ho-joon)

Screen adaptations

Live action

Film A Man with Seven Faces (1978) The Chameleon's Poem (1988) 48+1 (1995) Beat (1997) Tazza: The High Rollers (2006) Le Grand Chef (2007) Le Grand Chef 2: Kimchi Battle (2010) Mr. Go (2013)

Television drama The Last Station (MBC, 1987) Asphalt Man (SBS, 1995) Mr. Q (SBS, 1998) Saranghae (SBS, 2008) Gourmet (SBS, 2008) Tazza (SBS, 2008) Bridal Mask (KBS2, 2012)

Web drama Would You Like a Cup of Coffee? (KakaoTV, 2021)

Animated

Film Space Black Knight (1979) Gaksital (1986) Hammerboy (2004)

Television series Mr. Sohn (KBS1, 1990) Mr. Sohn (KBS1, 1991) Mr. Sohn (KBS1, 1992) Mr. Sohn (KBS1, 1998) Mr. Sohn (KBS1, 2001)

State honors + Name of country, year given, and name of honor Country Year Honor Or Award South Korea 2022 Order of Cultural Merit, 3rd Class