LONG Guide to Korea’s Comic world!

I get few questions now and then from people who wants to attend anime conventions in South korea. Just thought might as well post about it so I can refer back to this.

1) Are there anime cons in Korea?

Heck yes. I happens at least once every other month (once a month during summer too)

The main convention here is called Seoul/Busan Comic world

http://www.comicw.co.kr/

There are other smaller conventions (like “only zones” or Indie market). For these you gotta do your research. But they usually have flyers at seoul comic world.

2) Where are they located?

Seoul: they alternate between AT center and Setec

Busan: mostly always held at Bexco 

3) How long are these events?

Most comic worlds are weekend events. 2 days. For the con-goers it opens up around 11am - 5pm (sat) and 10:30 - 5pm (sun).

For artists just add extra hour time to set up in the morning.

4) What do people do there?

I can’t say fully about all the things that happen at a korean con but its mostly just a HUGE artist alley and cosplay related things. Unlike american conventions, there are no dealers room. the best you might find are street vendors outside the con if you want something from the dealers section.

the artist alley is massive compared to american conventions. Most american cons average around 200-300 artist tables. A smaller con in korea would have 400 tables. regular sized cons have 900+ (2 halls of just AA tables)

Cosplay is more regulated here to. You cannot dress up from home and just walk you. they require you to register your costume first and lead you to the change room to do your make up and dress up.

there are small competitions like the karaoke, art, and cosplay contests. they also have cosplay skit competition. seems like sometimes they have anime screenings. on rare occasions, we do get guests.

generally I feel like there is a lack of variety in events compared to american cons. however the merchandise you get from the Artist alley are awesome. So many pros and super talented people there (different level man). there are also great variety of artist alley products and its A LOT cheaper.

5) How much are the entrance fees?

I think they are around 4000won (less than $4) per day. There are no weekend pass.

6) what time should I go?

I highly suggest against coming to the events early. There are always LInes of kids waiting outside even an hour before opening. They are usually fans who bolt to their favorite tables to get limited items. but if you are first timer or casual con goer, go around somewhere between 11-2.

Also note, do not come later. Unlike american artist who stick around till the last minute, A LOT of korean artist just pack up and leave before 3. although the hall is open till 5, by 4pm half the artist alley is gone.

7) Photography…

to take photos of cosplay, please ask them first. Most of the time, they are more than happy to pose for you.

for the artist alley, general rule is that you do NOT take pictures. its against the rules. If you really want, you should ask the artist first.

8) demographic:

most con-goers are young: mainly middle to high school students.

on the other hand, most artists are significantly older. 20-30s. and i say 90%+ are female as well.

9) Fandom trend:

I would say korea is A Lot more up to date than america. Once a big new series show up, almost everyone is into it or is selling art of it. so usually when it comes to the artist alley, it is harder to find older non popular shows (unless is the stable classics like black butler, vocaloid, gintama, one piece…) 

10) how to be part of the artist alley:

• costs: 1 day 1 table: 35000won (may change a bit) or 70000won for the weekend. you can buy up to two tables
• Sign up procedure: there are two parts to this. First, you sign up the the convention (for the next one). You fill out a form at the artist alley sign up booth and you pay them later by their due dates. However this can be difficult when the next convention is popular. Artists are allowed entrance 1 hour before the general opening. usually first thing we do is rush and sign up for the next. sometimes the tables are out 10mins into the artist opening hours. after the “at con” sign ups, they open up online registrations on their website at 12am monday (after the con). If you are lucky enough to nab a table, make sure to pay them on time
• check in and set up: they let us in 1 hour before the general opening. we have separate lines for artist. do not stand in line with the cosplayers. haha. they ask for your name and password you signed up with. they confirm and stamp you. then i suggest you go straight to the sign up for the next con. then head over to your table for set up.
• package shipping: thank the lord. the con provides a shipping service where you can ship your con stuff to the con and pick it up there and ship it back after. Korean domestic shipping is JUST awesome. usually costs around $7 one way for a box.
• selling: main difference is that customers and artists don’t really talk to each other that much. also things sell for really cheap here. haha don’t expect to make as much as you do in america. however at least for me, I do sell a lot more in volume. popular artist here sell hundreds of things non stop. sometimes the line up gets too big that the staff move the popular tables to the side.
• Rules and regulations: there are some rules that i have yet to learn all of in the comic world AA. most of them are subjective rules to. get used to staff coming over to your table to inspect all your things. For example, you cannot sell overly simple designs. usually mascot drawings that look too close to to original. you also need to sell items with a defined characters. so no pure graphic designed material. obviously 19+ material needs to be covered up and IDed. No texts only stuff (which I happily agree with here). also height limit on your displays as well. there are also certain series you cannot make fanart of.
• where do artist get stuff made? —> made a post 

11) Should I try for the AA here?

Thats up to you. if you want to do for fun and all, go for it. however its a lot more difficult here to break in and make $. Consider the exponentially bigger competitions and competitive market prices. also more than 50% of the artist who attend the events (btw its mostly the same artists) have been doing this for over 10 years. Since comic world 01! but it is a fun experience! But I suggest you attend a con to browse first.

If you have any questions about Korean comic world, feel free to ask!

btw the Next comic worlds will be held for the month of MAY

may 11-12 = Busan           May 25-26 = Seoul