Cho Kuk addresses webtoon controversies, questions artist's references

Cho Kuk, former leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, has waded into online debates surrounding webtoon artist Park Tae-joon, seeking to clarify certain interpretations of Park's work. Cho Kuk specifically addressed concerns linking Park's creations to sensitive political references.

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We must correct the unjust Ilbe misunderstandings.

In a social media post, Cho Kuk questioned the significance of the phrase '5:23' appearing in Park Tae-joon's popular webtoon 'Lookism.' He suggested that this numerical reference might be interpreted as an allusion to May 23, the date of former President Roh Moo-hyun's death. Cho Kuk stated that while 'unjust misunderstandings' related to the online community Ilbe should be corrected, the reason for using '5:23' remained questionable.

Furthermore, Cho Kuk refuted claims that another of Park's works, a webtoon for the drama 'Chief Kim,' contained a reference to 'Rock Owling,' which some interpreted as a nod to 'Bui-eong Rock' (Owl Rock), the location where Roh Moo-hyun died. Cho Kuk asserted that the original term was 'Hanwon Rock Bowling,' not 'Rock Owling,' thereby dismissing the alleged connection.

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The reason for using '5:23' is questionable.

Park Tae-joon is known for his webtoons, including 'Lookism' and the original work for the SBS drama 'Chief Kim.' Recent discussions on online forums have reignited suspicions about potential political undertones in his art, prompting Cho Kuk's intervention to address these controversies.

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It's not 'Rock Owling,' but 'Hanwon Rock Bowling'.