The latest web cartoon to cross over mediums is “Eating Existence” from Lezhin Comics, which has been made into a Web drama to be aired on portal site Naver’s TV Cast.
Although the title may lead viewers to think that “Eating Existence” is a series purely about the enjoyment of good food, director Lee Cheol-ha says it’s really about finding consolation in today’s harsh world.
“The original cartoon is also focused less on food and more on expressing the hearts and minds of young people today,” Lee told reporters at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the premiere. “That’s what I tried to convey.”
Poster for "Eating Existence" (OAL Facebook)
The drama features its heroine Yoo Yang (played by comedian Ahn Young-mi), a free-spirited woman who decides to quit her job and strike out as a writer to rebel against social norms.
She discovers that her goal is easier said than done, and keeps herself driven through a budding romance with the handsome Park Byeong (No Min-woo) and the pleasures of food. The textures and flavors of food are used as metaphors for the experiences of Yeong, Byeong and the other characters.
“She’s not extremely pretty, she’s free-spirited and she has a temper,” Ahn said when asked about the similarites between herself and the character. “She doesn’t compromise easily with reality, and I felt like she was just like me.”
The drama also features Yoo So-young in the part of Yeong’s friend Cho Ye-ri and the acting debut of Lee Byoung-heon, who directed this year’s hit coming-of-age comedy film “Twenty.” Lee plays Ye-ri’s boyfriend, who shares his name.
Although the drama is being marketed as a comedy, helped along by Ahn’s image as a comedian built up through her stints on “Saturday Night Live Korea” and “Comedy Big League,” both Ahn and director Lee said that the true value of the series was in its “great lines about life.”
“I hope the episodes will provide short moments of laughter and comfort for young people who are having a hard time,” said Lee.
“Eating Existence” will air in 10 episodes of 10 minutes each on Naver’s TV Cast beginning Thursday at 11 p.m.
By Won Ho-jung (
hjwon@heraldcorp.com)
