Web Comic – 로동심문

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to live as a North Korean defector in South-Korea? I think many of you have. Now a new web comic called 로동심문 (a play on the North’s newspaper 로동신문) gives you a glimpse into this unique situation in a humorous, yet compelling way.

Nobody Expects the Inquisition

로동심몬

The hermit nation of North Korea’s mystery attracts a lot of speculation, but another enigma one can wonder is: What is it like to live as a North Korean defector in South Korea? The stories of North Korean defectors are represented in Korean literature, dramas and movies; now there is a new web comic on the life of North Koreans in South Korea called 로동심문. This web comic is available on NAVER. The title 로동심문 is play on the name of a North Korean state-run newspaper 로동신문, where 심문 means inquisition.

The story of 로동심문 follows the life of a North Korean man in South Korea. It focuses on daily life and the difficulties the man faces with adjusting to the differences in the mannerism between North and South. Many of the differences result in hilarious misunderstandings. This web comic manages to bring a very serious topic in a light and fun way that is truly enjoyable to read.

How did I read 로동심문

Reading a Korean web comic is challenging and something often reserved for more accomplished learners. Many of you know that I am in no way advanced in Korean, I am lower intermediate if we are being generous. So you might wonder how did I read this comic. Simple, I did not read it. My Korean roommate read it with me and translated the text for me as we went through the comic.

While 로동심문 is written fully in Korean though not in a Korean most of us are used to. The entire comic uses North Korean grammar, vocabulary and idiomatic patterns. Therefore it is advised not to pick up anything from this comic and integrate it in your Korean. Furthermore while the sentences are not overly complicated, it is still not for anyone who has not proper understanding of the Korean language. Yet I can highly recommend you to read this hilarious comic.

Recommendation

I can truly recommend this comic to anyone who is either seeking a laugh, a fun web comic or simply wants a feel what it is like to live as a North Korean defector. 로동심문 offers all those things and more. While the art is crude, it is the story and the dialogue that give the value to this comic. When you have time give 로동심문 a chance. It is available on NAVER Webcomics for free. It is submitted as part of the “Comic Book Challenge”.