1. Could you briefly introduce ‘Ppiyackppiyackbooks’?

Ppiyackppiyackbooks is a small comic production company based in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, operated by two comic creators.

2. What inspired the development of ‘The Private Lives of Local 99’?

Upon returning to the region and settling down, I personally felt the gap between the capital area and the provinces. There is a significant difference in cultural experiences and learning opportunities, and news reports most media content showcasing Korean are based on Seoul. Most comic books about regions focus on promoting local culture through folklore, myths, and legends. However, we wanted to see comics that reflect the current state of the regions. We were curious about where local residents meet and what they eat.

3. What aspect did you focus on the most in developing the product?

First, we designed the cover using the concept of ‘a region as distant as abroad’, borrowing the striped border of international mail envelopes to visually convey this idea. Different cover colors were used for each region. To quickly and effectively communicate the characteristics of each city, we included a summarized, one-page info sheet about each city. In the "Places Accessible by Wheels" section, we selected travel destinations for those who have experienced limited travel due to stroller accessibility issues. We also suggest diverse local experiences through the protagonist's travel route. Aside from the guideline that regional landmarks and dishes are to be included, all creative decisions are entrusted to the artist.

4. What challenges did you face during the production process?

Managing schedules is not easy for a small publishing company run by two people. Since we as a duo must take on the roles of writer, editor, designer, and marketer, it is challenging to handle multiple tasks within a short period. That is why for The Private Lives of Local 99, we created all nine volumes at once for simultaneous release.

5. What was the most memorable moment during the contest?

We did not make it pass the second round in the contest two years ago. This year, making it to the third round made me even more nervous. However, even if we did not pass, I was grateful for the hope offered by the courses available to those who advanced to the third round and the discussions about potential partnerships with Hyundai Department Store.

6. Could you share your future plans?

Ppiyackppiyackbooks is producing The Private Lives of Sound 99, which highlights Korea’s indie music scene through comics, and a short comic collection titled Great Sports Day 2024 focused on school life and normal life of teenagers. I also want to create comic books based on multicultural families and societies that still face discriminatory views, as well as stories that would help young people as they start their careers.