Horizon Cultural Publishing.
Alongside Bright Seoul Publishing and Seorin Media, it was regarded as one of the three largest comic publishers in Korea.
Among the three, however, Horizon's comic sales were by far the weakest. Nearly 70% of the company's revenue came from educational comics rather than serialized manga.
Even so, Horizon never abandoned its roots.
Its biweekly kids' magazine, Nuri Comics, remained committed to discovering new talent. While many publishers gradually reduced their investment in original Korean comics in favor of translated Japanese manga, Nuri Comics continued to uphold its long-standing motto:
"Korean comics that will change the world."
***
Horizon Cultural Publishing Headquarters
Comics Publishing Division – 4th Floor
"No! Damn it, Samuel!"
"Ah! Just leave it alone!"
A sharp-featured middle-aged woman wearing a tailored suit and red-framed glasses grabbed Samuel by the collar and shook him violently.
Her name was EmilySong.
She oversaw Horizon Cultural Publishing's entire comics division and had already been chosen as the company's next executive director.
Years ago, everything she touched became a success.
She had led Nuri Comics through its golden age, personally negotiated with Korean creators, translated the legendary Japanese basketball manga Slam Dunk, and even localized many of its famous character names.
She was one of the industry's living legends.
So why was someone of her stature shaking an editor by the collar?
"It's already 2:50! Two-fifty! If we don't finalize the manuscript right now, next week's issue gets canceled! Do you understand?"
Samuel struggled to free himself.
"I'm telling you, just wait ten more minutes! I promised I'd bring it before three o'clock—even if it killed me!"
The problem was simple.
The final issue of Nuri Comics, scheduled for release next Tuesday, still hadn't been completed.
Their flagship series, Genesis, created by Nathan Kim, had been delayed after the author came down with the flu.
To fill the vacant pages, another creator had rushed to produce a replacement story.
That creator was Andrew Shin.
Unfortunately...
His manuscript still hadn't arrived.
Without it, they couldn't finalize the cover, page count, or printing schedule.
As far as Director Song was concerned...
There was no reason to wait any longer.
She turned toward a female editor sitting nearby.
"Clara. Remove the cover text advertising the replacement story and send the file to the printer immediately."
If they delayed any further, nationwide distribution itself could be affected.
Better to publish without a substitute than miss the deadline.
"...Yes."
Clara reached for the office phone.
Bang!
Samuel suddenly slammed his hand over the receiver.
"No! Don't!"
Everyone froze.
"If you do that... I'll be the one answering for this!"
"...Excuse me?"
Clara frowned.
Smack!
Director Song's palm landed squarely on the back of Samuel's head.
"You idiot! Do you want to get fired? If the shipment is delayed, are you taking responsibility?"
Samuel rubbed his head.
"I'm just asking for ten more minutes! Why can't anyone wait ten minutes?"
"What kind of nonsense is that...?"
The argument quickly escalated.
Throughout the office, editors pretended to ignore them.
Some buried themselves behind monitors.
Others quietly put on headphones.
Here they go again...
This company is hopeless.
Maybe I should just quit.
Everyone understood why Samuel refused to give up.
Days earlier, he had pleaded with Director Song.
"Please... let Andrew replace this week's chapter. And if the manuscript is good enough... please reconsider canceling his series."
Andrew's serialization had already been scheduled for cancellation.
Samuel had promised Andrew one final opportunity without obtaining anyone's approval.
If this manuscript impressed the editorial board...
Perhaps his series could survive.
Most of the editors couldn't understand Samuel's obsession.
"Is Andrew really worth all this?"
"His work just doesn't fit a kids' magazine."
"He keeps drawing stories aimed at older readers."
No one denied Andrew's talent.
He had even won the Excellence Award at the Korea Manhwa Awards with his debut work.
Even though the award no longer carried the prestige it once had, winning it was still a remarkable achievement.
The problem was different.
Nuri Comics was a kids' comic magazine.
Andrew's stories didn't match its audience.
They rarely sold well.
So why was Samuel willing to fight Director Song over him?
Is he incredibly loyal... or just stubborn?
Nobody had an answer.
***
"Let go!"
"Not until you finish editing the cover!"
"Y-Yes..."
The cover designer hurriedly moved his mouse.
"Wait! I said wait! If you send it now, Andrew's story is finished! Are you really going to throw it away?"
"Go ahead and complain after you get fired."
"Someone grab him."
Several male editors immediately restrained Samuel.
No matter how strong he was, he couldn't overpower four grown men.
The clock slowly reached...
3:00 PM.
Clara picked up the phone once more.
"Hello? This is Horizon Cultural Publishing."
"Yes."
"We've just sent the cover file."
"Please begin printing."
Samuel desperately struggled against the others.
"No! You can't!"
"What are you doing? Hold him!"
"Samuel, calm down!"
"I said let me go!"
It looked like complete chaos.
Then—
A calm voice echoed from the office entrance.
"Excuse me... Quick delivery."
Silence instantly filled the room.
Everyone turned toward the doorway.
A motorcycle courier wearing a helmet stood there, blinking awkwardly as he looked at Samuel being restrained by several coworkers while Director Song towered over him.
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere became painfully awkward.
Director Song immediately released Samuel.
"Oh! This isn't what it looks like!"
"Haha... right?"
"Y-Yes! Of course!"
The employees nodded in perfect unison.
"...I see."
The courier clearly decided it wasn't his problem.
He looked around again before asking,
"Is Editor Samuel Ko here?"
Samuel immediately raised his hand.
"That's me!"
The courier handed him a large envelope.
"This is from someone named Andrew Shin."
"He said you'd know what it is."
Samuel's eyes widened.
"Thank you!"
He tore the envelope open on the spot.
The courier quietly excused himself and left.
Inside...
Were neatly stacked manuscript pages.
Samuel lifted them high.
"Director! It made it!"
"Please fix the cover!"
Emily sighed.
"I already called the printer."
"Please call again!"
"Andrew stayed awake all night drawing this!"
"It only takes one phone call!"
"The truck has already left."
"What exactly do you expect me to do?"
Samuel clenched the manuscript tightly.
"So after everything he went through... you're not even going to read it?"
Director Song looked at him quietly.
"I understand how you feel."
"But tell me honestly."
"Is Andrew really the author this magazine needs?"
Samuel stared at her.
"What are you saying?"
"We're a kids' magazine."
"Yes, Andrew has talent."
"But you know as well as I do..."
"His comics don't sell."
"And more importantly..."
"They aren't fun."
The words were cold.
Brutally honest.
Emily wasn't trying to be cruel.
She simply wanted Nuri Comics to survive.
The Korean comics industry was collapsing little by little.
Every decision mattered.
"..."
Samuel held up the manuscript once more.
"So you're going to ignore something he spent all night creating..."
"...without even reading it?"
There was anger burning in his eyes.
For a brief moment...
It looked as though he might actually hit someone.
Emily let out a long sigh.
"...Fine."
"I'll read it."
She accepted the manuscript.
Frankly...
She wasn't expecting much.
She knew Andrew's style.
Slowly...
She began turning the pages.
Page after page.
Then—
"...Hm?"
Her brows furrowed.
The pace of her page-turning grew faster.
Faster.
And faster.
Until—
She reached the final page.
"..."
She started over.
Reading it again.
Then again.
Three times.
Four times.
Finally...
She lowered the manuscript.
"...This is unbelievable."
She stared blankly at the ceiling.
The office watched in confusion.
What's happening?
Why is she reacting like that?
Without saying another word...
Emily walked to the nearest desk.
She picked up the telephone.
"Hello?"
"Yes, this is Horizon Cultural Publishing."
"I'm sorry."
"Please stop the printing process."
"We're revising the cover."
"And we'll be adding one more manuscript."
"Yes."
"Thank you."
Click.
The office fell completely silent.
Everyone looked at her in disbelief.
She snapped her fingers.
"Andrew's manuscript is going in."
"Scan it immediately."
"Update the typesetting."
"And redesign the cover."
The editors blinked.
"...Right now?"
"I said now."
"We don't have time."
"Hurry."
Emily let out another slow sigh.
Andrew Shin...
Just what kind of manuscript did you draw...?
A complicated expression settled across her face.
***
A Few Days Later
A tiny neighborhood bookstore.
Barely five pyeong in size.
Ding!
A black-haired high school student entered with his backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Grandpa, do you have the new issue of Nuri Comics?"
"Yeah."
"It should be over there."
The boy walked toward the magazine shelf.
Then suddenly—
"What?"
"Genesis is on hiatus?"
His face twisted in disappointment.
Printed boldly across the cover was a large announcement.
GENESIS IS ON HIATUS THIS WEEK!
But don't miss this special feature!
Andrew Shin's one-shot masterpiece—
"Pages Of Us"
Now begins!
The boy silently picked up the magazine.
Curious.
Just what kind of comic...
Had convinced Nuri Comics to change its cover at the very last minute?