Becoming a controversial cartoonist
  Since I was little, I have loved cartoons. However, because I was the eldest boy, who must lead the family, I thought I couldn’t continue drawing due to the poor income. Therefore, I went to Sungkyunkwan University, which is unrelated with cartoons. Luckily, when I first entered this university, the school newspaper was recruiting new cartoonist reporters. I didn’t hesitate to fill out an application. That activity was the point when I started drawing cartoons. At that time, I only liked cartoons but didn’t think about controversial cartoons. Maybe there aren’t many students who are wishing to become a controversial cartoonist. I felt the same way. However, after experiencing controversial cartoons in the university, I felt it was really attractive. Periodically, controversial cartoons were popular in the 1980s, and they were the agitators in resisting absolute power. Also, the cartoon is one kind of column, and among all articles it is the most satirical. Besides, I think controversial cartoons are the articles which show the most exact function of press.
  Nevertheless, I got a job in a normal company after graduation. To earn money for my family, I thought being a cartoonist was not right. Therefore, I drew cartoons as a hobby. While I was in the company, I tried to finish my work early and go home to draw cartoons after work. Because of it, I was always tired. At that time, many friends told me to quit my job and be a cartoonist. They said, “If you really want to raise your drawing skill, and then do your best at it. Why don’t you pour your time and effort only into it?” Through those words, I could gain courage and became a controversial cartoonist.

Drawing cartoons in the field
  Since 2009, I went out to different scenes and drew pictures. I thought about the idea for a long time. If I am alone, I can go everywhere I want to, but if I’m in a group, there must be meeting and planning. I felt discomfort and skeptical about it. Moreover, at one point, the time changed and I felt the press was not doing well in their role anymore. In former days, there were some changes when the press pointed out the problems, but nowadays there are no changes. I felt useless drawing cartoons in front of a desk.
  Therefore, I thought that I will draw people who I like. One day, I realized that I was really good at drawing presidents without looking at their pictures but not good at drawing people whom I love. This was not right. I wanted to draw people whom I liked really well, and I hoped to give courage to them with my pictures.
  When I first went out into the field, I was really nervous and worried. The first place where I went was the Yongsan removal scene. At that time, it was unsolved for a year, so I was much more careful to draw in that place. However, fortunately, people in the place had a mood that they shouldn’t be sad and be happy to maintain their long protest movement. I drew caricatures of people, gave them as gifts and listened to their stories. After that experience, I continued to go out into the field.
  Lots of differences exist between drawing at a desk and drawing in the field. To speak of the technological side, the details are different in the cartoons. Cartoons which are drawn based on the articles of other reporters’ can only pick out the big flow. However, cartoons which are based on my own eyes and experience are ,more detailed and abundant. Faces, emotions and situations of people are more exact and realistic.
  There were many times I felt anger in the field because of social absurdity. Lots of incomprehensible situations happen, so sometimes it’s very painful to stay in the field with kind sufferers. However, even though I get angry and upset because of it, going out to the field makes me much happier. Most of all, I can draw the people who I like. I guess that’s why I feel happy. As a cartoonist, there is nothing else that gives me energy as much as this. That’s because I can do what I want and also there are people who really love my cartoons. People said that I smile while I am drawing in the field. This work gives that much happiness to me, and that’s why I am still drawing in the field.

Dear university students who are worrying about their future
  As I said before, I went to a normal company at first. I was not comfortable when doing the work in the company. Worries were always in my mind. However, I’m still worrying. I think all humans are worrying about whatever they do. I guess it’s instinctual for humans. To university students who are worrying about their future, I want to say, ‘Whatever you do, you will worry. Therefore, do what you want. In my opinion, that’s the way to  work for a long time.’ Of course, there is no need to run into the thing you want to do if you are not in a possible situation. Then, putting your thing aside and looking for other work is another way.
  There is a sentence, ‘Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much’ in the book named, ‘The Art of Loving’ by Erich Fromm. I completely agree with it. Each person has at least one kind of talent. Sharing the talent with people is really important and your importance gets bigger. You may feel that you are not a useless person. I hope many students can feel it. Knowing a lot and having lots of knowledge is not that important until you do what you know and share with people. These days, it’s really hard for students to get a job. However, in this situation, I hope students don’t lose their self-esteem and keep thinking about what they really like. Moreover, I hope they find their happy life.

By Seo Yeo-ryung

yr34@cbnu.ac.kr