K-drama fans, webtoon enthusiasts, and aspiring creatives had an incredible opportunity to meet one of Korea’s most influential content creators, Gwang Jin, the visionary behind the global hit Itaewon Class. This highly anticipated event, the latest installment of the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines’ “Meet the Mentor” series, took place from July 4 to 6, 2025.
The three-day program brought Gwang Jin to various venues across Metro Manila, where he shared his amazing journey—from crafting the original webtoon to seeing it adapted into the blockbuster K-drama that captivated audiences worldwide. Itaewon Class resonated with millions for its powerful themes of resilience, diversity, and fighting for one’s dreams. This rare opportunity allowed attendees to hear directly from the mind that created one of the most celebrated stories of our time.
Insights from a Master Storyteller
During his talks, Gwang Jin shared many interesting notes, including how content creation can become a viable job and how he landed his work as one of the top hits on Netflix. He offered a clear distinction between amateur and professional creators, emphasizing the need to handle pressure.
“If you become a professional writer, you become paid for it, right? So the overwhelming feeling that you have, you have to show them your results and that’s the specific difference between a professional and amateur,” he said. He added, “When you enter the professional world, you have to handle those feelings and pressure because you are in a very dangerous position. And writers have to really know how to handle those pressures.”
He also gave a personal take on how he deals with public feedback. “If you are someone who gets a lot of strength and motivation from comments and reviews from other people, it will affect you a lot, but I am not someone who is greatly affected by that, so I think it is different from person to person.”
A Debut at the Philippine International Comics Festival
For the first time, the KCC also made its debut as an exhibitor at the Philippine International Comics Festival 2025 (PICOF). The KCC had a dedicated space on Korean Webtoons, highlighting their rapid growth and showcasing notable works. Visitors had a hands-on experience, allowing them to scroll through and immerse themselves in the digital world of webtoons.
This exciting series of events was hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, in partnership with the Philippine International Comics Festival 2025 (PICOF), Komiket, and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.
Attendees were thrilled to be a part of the conversation with Gwang Jin. Whether they were devoted fans of Itaewon Class or aspiring creators, the series proved to be an inspiring and unforgettable experience for all.
