"Are You Planning to Rent for Life and Die?"... Kian 84 Strikes Real Estate Again

A scene from episode 326 of "Bokhakwang," released on "Naver Webtoon" on the 12th. Photo by Naver Webtoon

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Webtoon artist Kian84 (real name Kim Hee-min) included criticism of the current government's real estate policies, such as skyrocketing housing prices, the subscription frenzy, and public rental housing, in his ongoing webtoon.

On the 12th, in episode 326 (Conclusion of the Subscription Competition) of "Bokhakwang," published on "Naver Webtoon," Kian84 depicted the protagonist and other characters participating in a "subscription audition" to qualify for apartment subscription.

In the story, to qualify for apartment subscription, one must pass a physical fitness test and then climb a ladder with unstable steps to reach the rooftop of a high-rise apartment, passing the subscription audition. The characters climb a ladder attached to the apartment wall from the first floor to the rooftop to obtain subscription rights for apartments with limited occupancy. The webtoon describes securing an apartment in a well-located new town as a "ladder to becoming a noble."

The work also criticizes the public rental housing (Happy Housing) policy introduced by the Moon Jae-in administration as a real estate measure. In a scene where a rental housing complex built in a poorly located area bears the sign "Happy Housing," a character shouts, "It's just wrapped in goodwill, but I hate it! You guys can live in those houses all you want!"

Additionally, the webtoon features lines satirizing the soaring housing prices, such as "No one gives you a house just because you're nice," "Even if you work your whole life, can you buy a house that rises faster than your salary?" and "Do you think you can save that money? Are you planning to live in monthly rent forever and die?"

Among readers of the webtoon, some expressed empathy with comments like "That's right. People are going crazy because rental apartments leak," and "The reason we can't even laugh at a comic is that reality is harsher," while others criticized it with remarks such as "Turning the rental housing project into government criticism," and "Was it necessary to portray Happy Housing like that?" showing divided opinions.

Earlier, in a webtoon scene released in October last year, Kian84 included a line while reaching out to a full moon, saying, "Sometimes it's frustrating. Even if I work this hard, there's no way to buy a house," which was interpreted as criticism of the Moon Jae-in administration's real estate policies causing housing price surges.