por killing stalking it’s a manhwa Korean drama and gore genre created by the artist Koogi. It has been translated into English and Japanese, and is considered one of the most popular webcomics today. It appeared in November 2016 and since then it has had the support of hundreds of readers who have been hooked by its unconventional plot.
The story focuses on the dysfunctional relationship between a serial killer and a stalker who, due to a series of circumstances, end up together in the same place. Likewise, much more complex topics are exposed, such as mental problems and emotional abuse.
For some Internet users, in manhwa seeks to demolish the conceptions and idealization of violent relationships, in order to show the true consequences of situations such as those exposed in the plot.
Synopsis
Yoo Bum is a shy and insecure boy who has become obsessed with his college classmate, Sangwoo, a handsome, attractive, intelligent and apparently very successful student with women. Unable to tell him how he feels about him, he proceeds to constantly follow him until he finds out where he lives.
However, upon arriving at the place of the object of his affection, Bum discovers a very different image of Sangwoo, who eventually decides to kidnap and torture him.
This, coupled with Boom’s unstable mental situation, will make history become a compendium of extreme and violent situations.
Important facts and data
It is worth mentioning a series of relevant elements that nourish and are part of the story:
-It is believed that Yoo Bum really is a middle-aged man, despite his physical appearance. Also, he suffers from borderline personality disorder, although he doesn’t seem very aware of his problem.
-Shangwoo has the appearance of an intelligent, handsome and seductive boy, but all that is nothing more than a facade that hides his true being. He is a serial killer, who also enjoys kidnapping and torturing his victims.
-In the past, during mandatory military service, Bum would have been sexually abused by his superior if it hadn’t been for Shangwoo’s intervention. From that moment Bum was captivated by him, to the point of thinking that she was his true love.
-For some netizens, Shangwoo may be the same or more mentally disturbed than Bum himself.
-Eroticism and sex are also main components within the plot, especially since it sets the tone for the relationship between Bum and Shangwoo, with a dominant and submissive dynamic.
-After his kidnapping, there is a constant intention of Bum to escape; this urgency increases due to Shangwoo’s unbalanced and cruel behavior. However, even though Boom has had several opportunities to flee, he has been made unable to, experiencing deep terror due to the possible consequences.
-Other issues that are highlighted in the webcomic are abuse, death, violence, idealization and power relations. Even for some of the readers and fans there is a presence of misogyny.
-On several occasions, Koogi —creator and writer of the story— has stated that despite the lack of a defined time space, events seem to unfold over the course of months.
-Likewise, this material stands out thanks to its gore content and psychological drama, which is why, without a doubt, it is not for everyone.
-The story has been published in English, Korean and Japanese, through the Korean portal Lezhin Comics, becoming the winning webcomic in the second awards ceremony of this same company.
Main characters
Yoo Boom
He is considered the central character of the story. He is a short man with pronounced dark circles under his eyes; it is believed that he suffers from borderline personality disorder, although he seems to be unaware of it.
During military service he was despised and mistreated by his peers, he was even almost raped by his superior, although he was rescued by Shangwoo. From that moment he developed a kind of obsession towards him, to the point of following and harassing him.
oh shangwoo
Unlike Boom, Shangwoo is handsome, attractive, charming, and popular. He is shown to be a kind and sweet person; however, he is the facade of a psychopath who kidnaps women to kill them later.
After discovering Bum, he kidnaps him to subject him to his wishes and darker tortures.
It is believed that the root of this behavior is due to the fact that he suffered countless abuses from his father, as well as the fact that he grew up in a highly toxic family environment. This also caused her to murder her parents while she was studying in high school.
It should be noted that one of the most interesting nuances of the character has to do with the fluctuating emotions he experiences, which range from cruelty to pity.
Secondary characters
yang seung bae
He is a former detective, demoted to patrolman, who was in charge of investigating the death of Shangwoo’s parents. Even though the case had been closed, Seungbae continued on his own due to inconsistencies in the case.
Although he found Bum at Shangwoo’s house, Shangwoo couldn’t arrest him because there wasn’t enough evidence for it.
min jieun
She is the only female character in the story. She is about a classmate of Shangwoo who feels a strong attraction and admiration for him. The image she has of him changed after being kidnapped after a sexual encounter.
She was killed by Bum because of a supposed plan that Shangwoo had prepared for him. This is believed to be one of the main reasons why Bum decided to hide Shangwoo’s crimes.
seasons
The publication of the first season of the manhwa It was in November 2016, while the second premiered in September of the following year.
Currently, it also has a third. Killing Stalking 04 was released in January 2020.