A World-Renowned Storyteller Meets Seoul’s Young Creators
Exclusive Lecture by Bernard Werber Inspires Sangsang Biz Academy Students
Sharing Tailored Insights on Creative Story Discovery
Bernard Werber, a global storyteller who has depicted worlds that transcend the limits of humanity from ants to the universe, met with young creators in Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on September 3 that it hosted an exclusive special lecture featuring world-renowned author Bernard Werber at Seoul Partners House in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu.
This special lecture was held as part of the "Sangsang Biz Academy" program, which is operated by the city to nurture young creators in the fields of webtoons and web novels. Since his first visit to Korea in 1994, Bernard Werber has visited the country for the tenth time, engaging with Korean readers for over 30 years. He has built a strong fan base through events commemorating the publication of "Death" in 2019, "The Prophecy of the Bees" in 2023, and "Land of Chimera" in 2025.
In particular, through the "Ant Trilogy," Werber explored society and civilization from the perspective of ants rather than humans. In works such as "The Thanatonauts" and the "God Trilogy," he questioned the origins of human existence by delving into themes of death, the afterlife, and the realm of gods.
The special lecture was held under the theme "Sangsang Biz Story Creator Invitation Event - Werber, Opening the Door of Imagination." It went beyond a simple lecture, creating an open forum for communication that included a conversation with the master storyteller and a real-time Q&A session.
This event is particularly meaningful as it represents Seoul’s strategic support to elevate the capabilities of young creators to a global level at a time when K-webtoons and web novels are already gaining prominence on major overseas platforms in countries like France and the United States. By meeting with a world-class author like Werber, young creators not only gained creative know-how but also broadened their perspectives on the global market, which is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s content industry.
During the lecture, Werber shared with the young creators his methods for discovering stories, the sources of his imagination, and his unique writing techniques, all based on his extensive creative experience. The young creators asked practical questions on topics such as "writing routines to overcome slumps," "methods for building expansive universes," "criteria for selecting material from countless ideas," and "qualities required to become a globally recognized author." Werber offered advice grounded in his own experiences and philosophy.
Meanwhile, Sangsang Biz Academy is a specialized educational institution for webtoons and web novels that has been operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government since 2023. Over the past two years, it has produced a total of 345 graduates, 198 of whom have either signed contracts with production companies or found employment at agencies. The city plans to continue expanding opportunities for exchanges with global authors through Sangsang Biz Academy, paving the way for young creators to connect with readers around the world.
Joo Yongtae, Director General of Economic Policy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "This special lecture is a truly unique opportunity for aspiring writers who will lead the future of K-content to communicate directly with a world-class storyteller. Going forward, Seoul will actively support young writers who will lead the global content market so they can confidently stand on the world stage."
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