South Korean Artist Uses AI to Immortalize His Iconic Webcomic Characters
Facing the mortality of his creations, renowned South Korean webcomic artist Lee Hyun-se is embracing artificial intelligence to ensure his beloved characters live on. By partnering with Jaedam Media, Lee has developed an AI model trained on his extensive body of work, paving the way for AI-assisted webcomics that capture his signature style.
Preserving a Legacy: AI-Assisted Webcomics
Lee Hyun-se, celebrated for his webcomic series “A Daunting Team,” featuring the iconic character Klachi, voiced concerns about the fate of his creations after his death. Teaming up with Jaedam media, he aims to circumvent the conventional “burial” of characters upon their creatorS passing. Their solution: a generative AI model capable of producing webcomics in Lee’s distinct artistic voice.
Reviving “Karon’s Dawn” with AI
The AI model, built using Stability AI’s Stable Diffusion, has been trained on a dataset of 5,000 of Lee’s comics spanning 46 years. Lee is preparing to launch his first webcomic partially created with AI this year: a remake of his 1994 comic, “Karon’s Dawn.”
Human Touch Still Needed
students at Sejong University, where Lee teaches, are utilizing his AI model to generate illustrations from text prompts and reference images. These AI-generated images are then curated and modified, with Lee Hyun-se adding his artistic flair to the final product. As Lee explains, subtle nuances and subversive expressions, such as conveying sadness through the eyes even when a character is angry, require a human touch that AI currently struggles to replicate. These delicate details are where Lee’s expertise shines.
South Korean Artists Grapple with AI’s Impact on Webcomics
SEOUL – The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is sparking both excitement and anxiety in the south Korean webcomic industry, as artists explore its potential while grappling with concerns about artistic integrity and job security.
AI Webcomic Generators Gain Traction
Several South Korean startups are embracing AI to streamline webcomic creation. Onoma AI, for instance, launched Tootoon, a webcomic generator that allows users to create synopses and characters from text prompts. The tool also transforms rough sketches into polished illustrations, reflecting a user’s unique artistic style. These companies champion AI as a means to democratize art creation, empowering anyone to become a webcomic artist.
Veteran Comic Artist Explores AI Persona
Lee-Hyun Se, a veteran South Korean comic artist, is experimenting with AI to create a digital embodiment of his artistic ideology. He envisions an advanced AI model trained on his extensive archive of essays, interviews, and comic texts. This AI would represent his unique personality, values, and meticulous approach to human expressions.
Young Artists Voice Concerns Over AI Art
While some artists and companies see AI as a boon, many young artists worry about its implications. Park So-won, an independent webcomic artist, emphasizes the importance of human artistry in comics. “Drawing is the most difficult and most fun part of creating comics,” she said, adding that drawing is what makes a comic; therefore, she cannot imagine relying on AI for her illustrations. These artists fear that AI trained on existing artwork without creators’ consent will devalue their skillset and possibly displace them. This concern mirrors anxieties shared by artists worldwide in the face of AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney.
What are the legal and ethical considerations of using AI to recreate an artist’s style?
South Korean Webcomics & AI: Your burning Questions Answered
Dive deeper into the world of AI-assisted webcomics with this Q&A, addressing key points from the articles about South Korean artists and the evolving landscape of digital art.
Q&A
- What is Lee Hyun-se doing with AI?
Lee Hyun-se, a celebrated South Korean webcomic artist, is using AI to ensure his characters live on after his death. He’s partnering with Jaedam Media to create an AI model trained on his vast body of work, specifically to produce webcomics in his unique style.
- What webcomic is Lee Hyun-se remaking with AI?
Lee Hyun-se is remaking his 1994 comic, ”Karon’s Dawn,” with the help of AI. Get ready for a nostalgic trip with a modern twist!
- How is the AI model trained?
The AI model is built using Stability AI’s Stable Diffusion and has been trained on a dataset of 5,000 of Lee Hyun-se’s comics, spanning 46 years of work. Think of it as a digital art student,absorbing decades of artistic experience!
- Does AI completely create the comics?
No,the process involves a human touch. Students at Sejong University, where Lee teaches, use the AI to generate illustrations, but Lee himself then curates and modifies them, adding his artistic flair. This helps preserve the subtle nuances and expressions that AI currently struggles to replicate.
- What other companies are using AI in webcomics?
Companies like Onoma AI, with their webcomic generator Tootoon, are streamlining the creation process. Tootoon allows users to create synopses, characters, and even transform sketches into polished illustrations, reflecting the user’s unique style. This opens doors for aspiring artists!
- What are young artists’ concerns about AI?
Young artists worry about the devaluation of their skills and job displacement. Thay emphasize the importance of human artistry, especially drawing, in creating comics, fearing that AI trained on existing artwork without consent could undermine their profession.
- What is Lee Hyun-se’s broader vision for AI?
Lee envisions an advanced AI model representing his artistic ideology, trained on his essays, interviews, and comic texts. This AI would embody his personality, values, and approach to human expression.imagine having a digital mentor to guide your creative endeavors!
The future of webcomics is here, and AI is playing a significant role. Explore these possibilities and understand the ongoing conversation around art and technology.
