‘Goltong’ Cartoonist Ha Seung-nam Dies at 68; Martial Arts Comics Master Was First Korean Full Member of Japanese Association

A pioneer who brought martial arts comics to a wider audience in Korea

Cartoonist Ha Seung-nam (real name Ha Gong-seok), a master of martial arts comics who captivated readers with works including “Shingum Magum,” “Goltong Chulsapyo” and “Windy Goltong,” died on the 2nd at age 68.

Born in Busan in 1958, Ha got his start in comics as an apprentice to cartoonist Heo Nam-gil. He made his official debut in 1980 with “The Baseball King Without a Country,” and began attracting serious attention from critics and readers with the release of “Moklimbang.”

The 1980s were a golden age for Korean martial arts comics. To meet surging demand at the time, Ha took the lead in establishing a “mass-production system for daily comics” to supply comic-book rental shops. Alongside popular contemporaries such as Park Bong-seong and Lee Jae-hak, he helped usher in the genre’s heyday.

Work across borders and a commitment to the comics industry

Among Ha’s works, “Goltong Chulsapyo,” which began running in the sports newspaper Sports Today in 2001, is considered his signature title. The rollicking adventures of Yoo Se-ok, a young man sent into the martial world on his master’s orders, won a strong response from readers. The following year, Ha founded “Ha Seung-nam Productions” and established a distinct, enduring brand by publishing a series of “Goltong” titles featuring Yoo Se-ok.

Ha’s ambitions extended beyond Korea. In 1994, he signaled his move into overseas markets by serializing “Cheonhailji” in Taiwan’s comics magazine “Wuhan Shaonian MAX,” and later entered the Japanese market, serializing “Sayaka” (2004) and “Existence” (2005), among other works. In recognition of these achievements, he became the first Korean cartoonist to be named a full member of the “Japan Cartoonists Association” in 2007.

Beyond his work, Ha served as a board member of the “Korea Manhwa Artists Association” during its 16th, 18th and 21st through 24th terms, devoting himself to protecting the rights of cartoonists and advancing the industry.

Ha’s wake was held in Special Room 2 at Incheon Yeonsu Funeral Hall. The funeral procession will be held at 1 p.m. on the 3rd, and his final resting place will be “Incheon Family Park.”