"Thank You Paldo"... 'Manhwa Greek Roman Mythology' Author Shares Update After 14 Years

Health Deteriorated Due to Legal Disputes with Publisher
Comeback Announced After a Long Hiatus

Hong Eun-young, the artist behind "Greek and Roman Mythology in Comics," which sold over 20 million copies in the 2000s, shared news of her new work after 14 years and updated fans on her current status. She is preparing a new work based on Egyptian mythology and recently collaborated with the comprehensive food company Paldo to greet her fans first.

Earlier, Paldo announced through its official social media channels that "Dionysus, the god of wine and pleasure from Greek and Roman mythology, has been selected as the ambassador for a new sauce brand." Following this, Paldo released a comic drawn directly by Hong Eun-young themed around the brand. The comic, released by Paldo, was created in the familiar art style seen in the past "Greek and Roman Mythology" series, delighting many fans. Netizens who saw this responded enthusiastically, saying, "I’m grateful that the artist is still active and even more moved that a new work is coming," and "I will buy all volumes, love you, artist."

Hong Eun-young, the artist of "Greek and Roman Mythology in Comics," which has sold over 20 million copies, announced news of a new work after 14 years. Instagram 'paldofood'

Hong Eun-young signed a contract with Ghana Publishing in 2000 and published a total of 20 volumes of "Greek and Roman Mythology in Comics" until 2005. This series is a bestseller with unofficial sales exceeding 20 million copies. In 2002, the animation "Olympus Guardian" aired, and in 2005, a theatrical version was produced, reflecting its immense popularity. However, controversy arose when the publisher officially reported sales of only 3.67 million copies and paid royalties amounting to 2.1 billion KRW. Subsequently, Hong filed a lawsuit against the publisher in 2004, and after three years of legal battles, the court ruled in 2007 that the unpaid royalties of 3.7 billion KRW must be paid.

However, during the lawsuit process, Hong Eun-young developed Beh?et's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition, due to severe stress. Due to her deteriorating health, she introduced a new educational comic titled "Hong Eun-young’s Greek and Roman Mythology" starting in 2007, but her activities ceased after 2011, leaving readers disappointed. In a handwritten letter released through Paldo, Hong expressed, "I deeply thank all the readers who have remembered and waited for me for a long time," and added, "I am happily working on the advertisement for Paldo’s new product 'Dionysus'." She also said, "I see this as an opportunity to greet readers who have loved Greek and Roman mythology with a familiar face, and I am drawing each piece with a precious heart," raising expectations for her comeback. In particular, she officially announced her new work after 14 years, saying, "I plan to meet you all through 'Egyptian Mythology' in the future."