Sungryul's 'In Summer' Wins Best Award at Japan International Manga Awards, First Korean Recipient

Expressing Warm Scenery in Watercolor, Adding Mystery to Unique Adventures and Travels

Seongryul's short comic "In the Summer" won the Grand Prize at the Japan International Manga Awards. According to the host organization, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the 21st, it received the highest honor, surpassing works such as "The Lost Letter" by Jim Bishop (France) and "See You in Memories" by Pen Su (Hong Kong). This is the first time a Korean has won the Grand Prize since the event began in 2007. Among 503 entries from 77 countries and regions, it was recognized for its outstanding artistic quality.

"In the Summer" is a drama depicting the moment when a chance encounter turns into a magical connection. It highlights the journey of a boy with an introverted personality who, after the death of his only friend, a cat, sets out to meet its spirit. The boy overcomes his sense of loss by meeting new connections. Though sometimes clumsy and quirky in dealing with the lingering pain like a mild fever, he courageously approaches and welcomes a mysterious summer.

Seongryul expresses warm landscapes with watercolor. Using a unique color tone that naturally spreads as it absorbs water, he adds a sense of mystery to exotic adventures and travels. The publisher, Munhakdongne, introduced the work by saying, "The delicate gaze is directed toward the spaces around us and passing moments," and "The author's quietly observant perspective awakens the lyricism embedded in fleeting moments and transforms everyday life into a single landscape."