Money and Straight A’s: The Recipe for a Good Life?

Note: This post is the first part of a series that explores the main message of the Korean webtoon Annarasumanara. You might want to read the introduction first.

Il-deung and Ah-ee in chapter 8

Despite coming from different backgrounds, senior high school students Ah-ee and Il-deung share the same view on life. They believe that life is about becoming typical successful adults. To do so, one must attain economic and academic success. Nonetheless, the story conveys that economic and academic success do not necessarily guarantee a fulfilling life. This can be seen through the juxtaposition of Ah-ee and Il-deung themselves.

Between Magic and Logic, Adulthood and Childhood: Annarasumanara's Main Message

Annarasumanara is a Korean webtoon by Ha Il-kwon. The art style and story might put you off at first - like what it did to me - but all things considered, the story is worth the read. In fact, Annarasumanara is among the best stories I have ever read. It narrates the story of senior high school students Yoon Ah-ee and Na Il-deung (spelling may vary across translations) as they find themselves questioning their worldview after meeting a strange magician. The story touches on many interesting topics, but for now, I’d like to focus on its main message.