Title: Phantom of Seoul

Episode 1: The Hidden Artists

In the heart of Seoul, where towering skyscrapers cast long shadows over the city's poorest districts, two brothers, Joon (11) and Tae (9), lived in a cramped one-room apartment. Their mother worked late nights at a restaurant, while their father had left long ago. Money was always tight, and some nights they went to bed hungry, their stomachs growling louder than the city outside.

Despite their struggles, Joon and Tae had one thing that kept them going—drawing. With pencils worn down to stubs and scraps of paper they collected from school, they sketched their dreams. Their inspiration came from their favorite manga, "Steel Fist Saga", a story about a boy who overcame every obstacle through sheer determination. They wanted to create their own manga one day, one that could inspire others just like Steel Fist Saga inspired them.

One evening, after school, Joon found a half-eaten snack in his pocket—a gift from a classmate who felt sorry for him. He split it with Tae, and as they ate, they talked about their latest manga idea.

"We should make a story about a boy who can disappear into the shadows," Joon suggested, his voice filled with excitement.

"Like a ghost?" Tae asked, his eyes widening.

"Yeah, but not just any ghost. A phantom. He hides in the city, unseen, but he helps those who are struggling," Joon explained.

Tae grinned. "Then we should call him the Phantom of Seoul!"

That night, under the dim glow of a streetlamp outside their window, they started sketching. Joon drew the characters, while Tae came up with the storyline. Their Phantom would be a young boy, much like them, who could move unseen, helping people in need while avoiding those who wanted to exploit his abilities.

As they worked, their hunger, their worries, and the cold of their tiny room faded away. All that remained was the world they were creating—one where they weren't just poor kids from a forgotten part of the city, but storytellers with a dream.

Little did they know, their story was about to become something far greater than they had ever imagined.

Title: Phantom of Seoul

Episode 2: The Battle of the Artists

Joon and Tae sat on the floor of their tiny apartment, their schoolbooks pushed aside to make space for what really mattered—stacks of worn-out papers and a handful of dull pencils. It was the weekend, and while other kids played outside, they were busy with something much more important: creating their very own manga.

Joon, the older brother, was drawing a samurai warrior with wild hair and a massive sword. His story was called "Shadow Blade", about a lone swordsman cursed to fight endless battles in a world where war never ended.

Tae, younger but just as passionate, was sketching a futuristic city where humans lived alongside robots. His story, "Cyber Legend", followed a young hacker who accidentally discovered a hidden digital world where AI-controlled everything.

They worked in silence at first, completely focused. But as the pages started piling up, so did their arguments.

"My story is way cooler!" Joon declared, holding up a page where his samurai was mid-battle, slashing through an army of enemies.

"Cooler? Your guy just swings a sword around! My story has high-tech gadgets, a digital world, and crazy action!" Tae shot back, pointing at his drawing of a robotic cityscape.

Joon scoffed. "But does your story have real emotion? A warrior who fights against fate itself?"

Tae crossed his arms. "And does yours have a hacker who can outsmart an entire system?"

The argument escalated. They compared panels, shading, and fight sequences, each convinced their story was the best. Before long, their voices filled the small apartment, and their sketches were scattered across the floor.

That was when their mother walked in, exhausted from work but immediately curious about the mess.

"What’s going on?" she asked, picking up the pages.

"They’re arguing about whose manga is better," said their neighbor’s cat, who had somehow wandered in again.

Of course, the cat didn’t actually speak, but the silence that followed made it feel like it had.

Their mother sat down, flipping through both stories. She took her time, carefully looking at each panel, each character, each stroke of the pencil. Joon and Tae watched anxiously, waiting for her decision.

Finally, she smiled. "These are both amazing."

Joon frowned. "But which one is better?"

Their mother placed a hand on each of their heads. "You both created something from your hearts. That makes them both special."

Joon and Tae looked at each other, then at their scattered drawings. Maybe their mom was right. They weren’t rivals—they were two artists with different styles, different ideas, but the same dream.

That night, instead of arguing, they sat side by side and continued drawing. Not to prove who was better, but because they both loved it.

And maybe, just maybe, one day their stories would be read by the world.

Title: Phantom of Seoul

Episode 3: The Manga Showdown

The brothers had never been this nervous before.

Joon and Tae stood outside the competition hall, gripping their sketchbooks tightly. The event was one of the biggest manga contests in Seoul—"Future Mangaka Contest"—where young artists competed for a chance to win scholarships to prestigious art schools. Their mother had encouraged them to enter, believing in their talent even when they doubted themselves.

Joon had completed his manga, "Shadow Blade", a dark samurai story about a warrior bound by an eternal curse, forced to battle endless enemies in a world consumed by war. His artwork was intense, filled with heavy shading, intricate sword fights, and deep emotional struggles.

Tae, however, had surprised everyone by creating a brand-new manga, "Darkirui"—a shehinishi (death and rebirth) story about a boy who, after dying in a tragic accident, wakes up in a mysterious afterlife city where souls fight to earn a second chance at life. It had psychological twists, action-packed battles, and deep philosophical themes about fate and redemption.

The competition hall was packed. Dozens of young artists had come with their best work, hoping to prove themselves. Some had digital drawings, others had fully inked manga panels, but Joon and Tae only had their pencils and paper. Still, they believed in their stories.

Each contestant presented their work to a panel of judges—professional manga artists, editors, and publishers. Joon went first, explaining the emotional weight behind "Shadow Blade", how his protagonist struggled with his destiny, fighting a battle that could never truly end.

The judges nodded, impressed with his character development and artistic style. "A strong narrative with powerful themes," one judge said. "Your shading techniques are excellent," another noted. Joon felt confident—until he saw Tae step up.

Tae spoke passionately about "Darkirui", how the story explored life, death, and second chances, with characters who faced their deepest fears in the afterlife. His art was different—sharp, expressive, with creative panel layouts that pulled readers into his world.

When the results were announced, Joon held his breath.

Tae had won first place.

He had earned a full scholarship to Seoul Academy of Arts, one of the most prestigious art schools in the country. The crowd clapped, and their mother, standing in the audience, wiped away happy tears.

Joon wasn’t forgotten, though. He won fourth place, earning a small prize and recognition for his storytelling skills. But unlike Tae, he wouldn’t be going to an art school—not yet.

As they left the stage, Tae looked at his older brother. "Hyung… I didn’t think I’d win."

Joon smiled, though a part of him felt the sting of losing. "You deserved it." He ruffled Tae’s hair. "But don’t think I’m giving up. I’m gonna get better, and next time, I’ll beat you."

Tae grinned. "I’ll be waiting."

That night, as they sat at home, Joon opened his sketchbook and started drawing again. He had lost today, but his journey wasn’t over. He would prove that Shadow Blade could still become something great.

Title: Phantom of Seoul

Episode 4: Rising Stars

Years had passed since the Future Mangaka Contest. Tae had grown from a passionate young artist into a dedicated student at Seoul Academy of Arts, sharpening his skills every day. Meanwhile, Joon had never stopped drawing, refining Shadow Blade while working part-time to support himself.

Tae’s dream took a big step forward when he sent Darkirui to Shenohi Jump, one of the biggest manga publishers in Korea. It was a dark, psychological shehinishi story, filled with brutal fights, mind games, and deep themes about life and death. He poured everything into it, sketching late into the night, revising panel after panel, perfecting each scene.

Then, the email arrived.

"Your manga has incredible artwork and storytelling," the editors wrote. "However, it may be too dark for our magazine. We encourage you to refine the themes for a wider audience."

Tae felt a mix of disappointment and pride. They rejected it—but they saw potential. His art had impressed some of the biggest names in the industry.

A few months later, something unexpected happened. Shenohi Jump released their annual "Top 100 Rookie Manga Artists of the Year." Tae flipped through the list with shaky hands, and then—

"Rank 89 – Tae Hwang (Darkirui)"

His name was there. He had made it.

Excited, he scrolled down—and froze.

"Rank 94 – Joon Hwang (Shadow Blade)"

Joon had made it too.

Tae burst into his brother’s room, holding his phone like a trophy. "Hyung! We did it! We’re in the top 100!"

Joon looked up from his sketchbook, surprised. "What?" He grabbed the phone, eyes scanning the list. His name was there. His story, his work, had finally been noticed.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, Joon smirked. "I’m still coming for you, little brother."

Tae laughed. "Better hurry, because I’m not stopping."

The road ahead was still long, and neither had reached their final goal. But for the first time, the world was starting to see them—not as kids from a poor neighborhood, but as real artists.

Title: Phantom of Seoul

Episode 5: The Breakthrough

Tae had worked for years, refining Darkirui after Shenohi Jump’s initial feedback. He adjusted the themes, making it less bleak while keeping its intense battles and psychological depth. After months of rewriting, he resubmitted the manga.

This time, it was accepted.

Shenohi Jump announced Darkirui as their newest serialization. Tae couldn’t believe it—his story would be in weekly magazines across Korea. He had officially become a published mangaka.

The Rise of Darkirui

As the first few chapters were released, Darkirui quickly gained a following. Readers loved the deep story, the unique characters, and Tae’s sharp, intense art style. Within six months, sales skyrocketed, and the first Darkirui volume sold 150,000 copies in its first week.

With the royalties coming in, Tae finally saw real money from his passion.

How Much Did Tae Earn?

Manga Volume Sales

150,000 copies sold in the first week

Over 500,000 copies sold in the first year

Tae earned ₩450 per copy ($0.34 USD per volume)

Total earnings from volume sales in one year: ₩225,000,000 (≈$170,000 USD)

Magazine Serialization

₩3,500,000 per chapter ($2,600 USD)

50 chapters in the first year

₩175,000,000 total ($130,000 USD)

Merchandising & Licensing Deals

As Darkirui’s popularity grew, Tae earned another ₩80,000,000 ($60,000 USD) from posters, T-shirts, and action figures.

Total Earnings in the First Year:

₩480,000,000 (≈$360,000 USD)

Tae’s Life After Success

Tae had gone from a struggling artist to a rising star in the manga industry. With his earnings, he moved his family into a bigger apartment, bought new art supplies, and even gave Joon money to invest in his own manga career.

But Joon refused to take it. "I’ll make my own money," he said, determined. "And one day, Shadow Blade will outsell Darkirui."

Tae smirked. "We’ll see about that."

Despite their rivalry, Joon couldn’t help but be proud. His little brother had done it. But now, it was his turn to rise.