<The Spark in Your Eyes> Interview with Author MURO
Meet the Trending Author
vol. 244
[The Spark in Your Eyes]
MURO Author | NAVER WEBTOON
A woman harboring the sun, and
a man resembling the quiet earth.
A blessing turns into a curse, and revenge loses its way in love.
Myths, the sun, and a witch... ultimately, an anthem to humanity celebrating life.
Our interview with MURO, author of <The Spark in Your Eyes>,
starts right now!
[INTRO]
Q. Hello, Author MURO! Thank you for accepting this interview! Before we begin, could you please introduce yourself briefly?
A. Hello. I am MURO. I serialized <The Spark in Your Eyes> starting from June 2020, and with the main story concluded this year, I am currently preparing side stories.
[About MURO]
Q. How did you choose the pen name 'MURO'?
A. It doesn't have a deep meaning; it's just a combination of letters I like. I also wanted it to be easy to write in foreign languages. In Korean, it's pronounced 'Mu-ro'.
Q. The long journey that began in 2020 has finally come to an end. Could you share your brief thoughts on this?
A. While serializing, I often wondered when I'd ever finish drawing it all, but now that it's over, the past few years feel compressed and seem to have flown by.
The fact that I finished it without any major issues is what I cherish the most.
Actually, since a few months have already passed since the main story concluded as of this interview, I've had time to digest my feelings, leaving me feeling very relieved and peaceful.
△ A congratulatory bouquet matching Erkin and Kaya's colors _Provided by the Author💐
Q. How have you been spending your days since the conclusion?
A. I've been resting and fully enjoying my free time.
I enjoy going on cafe tours and tending to houseplants, so I've been spending joyful times on those hobbies.
I've also watched a lot of movies and played a lot of games.
Q. Is <The Spark in Your Eyes>, which is the work of a lifetime for many readers, by any chance your debut piece?
A. Yes! It is my debut work.
Q. What was your journey like leading up to your debut as a webtoon creator?
A. I was in contact with my agency even before preparing <The Spark in Your Eyes>.
At the time, there were a few other projects planned, but they were rejected, and though we considered collaborations and webtoon adaptations of original novels, they didn't go through.
Meanwhile, a pitch I wrote on impulse got approved, which led to my debut.
Q. Although it's a webtoon, it often feels like reading a well-written fantasy novel.
It seems your storytelling ability is the result of reading many works.
Among the numerous works you read in your youth, are there any you still revisit?
A. I appreciate your kind words.
I've often heard similar sentiments from my readers as well.
Truthfully, and embarrassingly enough, I don't read all that much.
I love visual media, so I mostly explore comics and video content.
Q. Is there any music you frequently listen to or media that helps you while working?
A. I always make sure to listen to music that fits the mood of the scene I am currently working on.
It's hard for me to focus if I don't have music playing. I mostly enjoy listening to J-POP or OSTs.
During line art, I sometimes repeatedly play movies or dramas I've already watched.
Q. I'm curious about your workspace! Could you give us a little tour?
A. Since it's the place I spend the most time, I decorate it according to my tastes.
The area outside the frame is a bit too 'human', so this is the only angle I can show you.
△ Kyaa!!!! The author's taste = Our taste👍
[About <The Spark in Your Eyes>]
Q. The characters' inner narratives and the depth of the story are far too profound to simply label it a romance. How long did the planning take?
A. I wrote the initial draft quite quickly. I remember it was the summer of 2019.
Once the pitch was approved, things moved fast, and since we launched in June, the preparation period was less than a year.
The depth you sensed likely emerged unintentionally as I worked on the serialization...
that is, by tackling it head-on in practice.
I'm very relieved that it's considered a strong point.
Q. I'm curious about the origins of this story that resonated with so many readers. Please share if there were any specific sources of inspiration during planning!
A. It started simply with the intention, 'Let's write a romance fantasy tailored to my tastes,' and
I began developing it around three keywords: [Witch, Knight, Sun].
Witches and knights are tropes I inherently love, so I chose them immediately. Then, I felt the need to add one more specific attribute.
At that moment, I recalled a scene discussing 'Yin and Yang' from the movie 'Curse of the Golden Flower' (2006), and drawing inspiration from that, I made 'heaven and earth' the main theme.
Narrowing it down from heaven to the sun solidified the main characters' core elements.
I started the story with the image of a female lead, like a small sun, falling into the embrace of a male lead resembling the vast earth.
Given that it weaves mythology into a medieval-style fantasy world, I was also greatly influenced by other works in the genre.
During the planning phase, I mostly wrote down whatever came to mind.
△ Author says: The very first cover drafts. Number 8 was chosen as the first cover. Number 6 was later used as the current cover for Season 2 after a few years.
Q. The details everywhere, from the outfits to the backgrounds and props, are incredibly meticulous. Was there a specific time period you based it on, and did you focus on any particular historical research?
A. I had a medieval setting in mind, but due to limitations in available backgrounds and material assets, the time period ended up
incorporating a bit more early modern elements than originally intended. Rather than strictly adhering to historical accuracy, my priority was ensuring each scene felt natural to read without any sense of dissonance.
For King Mormodes' appearances and flashback scenes, I tried to emphasize a heavy atmosphere fitting the medieval era,
but when the younger generation like Lenard or Lindia appeared, I didn't hesitate to include the flashy decorations and uniform elements of more recent times.
My knowledge is shallow, so I don't know how it might look to those who are well-versed in historical research. (Trembles...)
Aside from the historical setting, I focused on necklines and silhouette details that suited each character.
Since there are many characters, rather than showcasing completely different outfits every time, I thought it best to somewhat maintain familiar silhouettes.
For example, dressing Albrecht in long coat-like silhouettes even in casual wear.
The former Queen Restrepia (Lenard's mother) has a stubborn impression but wears deep necklines that reveal a slender cleavage.
Heish features straight lines across her shoulders (Sabrina neckline type). Prince Lenard often has a one-shoulder cape or long decorations fluttering...
Things like that.
△ Part of the costume sheet_ They all fit perfectly😆
Q. I felt a lump in my throat numerous times from the affectionate perspective on life deeply embedded in the work—it's hard to explain it just within the 'Romance Fantasy' genre.
The words Erkin said to Hildegar when she wanted to die in chapter 107 brought great comfort to me personally.
Could you share any lines or episodes that pierced the core theme you wanted to convey?
A. I appreciate you mentioning that chapter.
It wasn't as intense as the climax, but it was an important chapter.
I'd like to pick chapter 107, as well as Season 2 chapters 16 and 38, and the finale.
△ Does any particular scene come to mind for you?
For Season 2 chapter 38, the readers' reactions were so deeply moving that I felt like something was finally complete, as if I had received something back.
△ A great review is essential for a great work!
Q. Many characters with rich personal narratives appear. Among the cast, is there a character whose story you couldn't show as much as you had planned during the main serialization, leaving you with regrets?
A. I had a lot of settings mapped out in my head for character building, but...
I focused on what was necessary for the main progression, and rather than cutting things out, I often ended up adding more throughout the run, so I don't really have any major regrets.
I also worked with the mindset of drawing as much as I could whenever I had the chance.
If I had to share a small detail that comes to mind right now...
Triana was skilled enough to be called a master of the sword, but that was just her personal talent. Because utilizing it in actual combat or having commanding abilities is a separate matter,
I figured her rank(?) probably wasn't that high.
Also, I had minor settings for the great houses like Weidhen, but since they weren't directly related to the main story, I never quite found the right timing to showcase them.
I'm thinking about maybe revealing them in the form of a bonus comic.
Q. It's a masterpiece that leaves nothing to be desired in terms of artwork. Clap. Clap. Clap. (Solemn applause)
Kaya's sunset-like eyes that seem to have swallowed the sun, and Erkin's piercingly blue yet quiet and warmly embracing eyes—these colors sit on opposite ends of the spectrum but harmonize so perfectly.
Aside from those two, it seems each character has their own unique color based on their race and background. Are there any characters whose colors you assigned with specific meaning in mind?
A. Thank you.
I think there was a great synergy between the medium of color webtoons and the story's themes.
Since multiple factions appear, I also wanted to make them easily distinguishable through colors.
Griselda's main colors are pink and silver, and I remember thinking it would be nice to have a strong knight character sporting pink, which typically carries a soft image.
I aimed for deep purple for King Mormodes, while Princess Ilosia, being from the same royal family, was assigned magenta,
and Prince Lenard was expressed with a cooler, bluish-purple to show the differences.
Q. From lighting and composition to panel divisions that capture subtle emotional shifts... I feel you showcased the best direction achievable in a webtoon every single time.
In chapter 138, when Erkin falls from the tower with Kaya, I couldn't help but marvel at the sunset reflected upside down in Kaya's eyes.
It felt as if the two were being sucked right into the sunset.
If there was an episode where you pondered especially hard for more effective direction, please share!
A. Directing is always fun, but it involves a lot of agonizing.
As I've mentioned before, for Season 2 chapter 33, I directed it with the phrase 'The time between dog and wolf' in mind.
Ah, the kiss scene at the festival in chapter 132 also comes to mind. The two aren't shown completely; the panel is split in two.
I worried that readers might want to see a full, unbroken panel, but I divided it to convey the feeling of time standing still.
An international reader left a comment saying, 'The kiss is not fully shown, remaining a memory only for the two of them,'
and I was so happy because it beautifully explained my intention for that direction.
I mostly worry about whether my intentions will be properly conveyed when I use ambiguous or suggestive direction.
But time and time again, my worries prove baseless as readers catch on perfectly.
△ 'The kiss is not fully shown, remaining a memory only for the two of them.'
Q. On the other hand, was there a particular episode that was the most fun to work on, or one that came together easier than expected?
A. Light and humorous episodes with lots of SD (super deformed) art are definitely easier and more fun to draw. But there aren't many episodes like that...!
Q. We can't leave out the topic of BGM. The BGM that added weight to key episodes was so good that I'd sometimes revisit chapters just to listen to the music.
What were your criteria for selecting which episodes would feature music?
A. The BGMs are amazing, aren't they! The composer made the tracks so brilliantly that I listen to them often myself.
I mentioned earlier that I always have to listen to music while working, and I think this is an extension of that.
I often get huge inspiration from music while doing storyboards, so I decide to insert a BGM when I want to convey the feelings and intentions I experienced as vividly as possible to the readers.
Q. The BGM and direction meshed so well that I forgot I was scrolling down.
It was hard to tell if I was reading a webtoon or watching an anime. Therefore... are there any plans for an anime adaptation?
A. I haven't really considered the possibility, but it would be amazing if it happened!
Q. You released various merchandise throughout the serialization. Among the many props featured in the story, are there any you would love to produce as merchandise?
A. Probably Erkin's necklace? I've thought about making one for my own collection as a keepsake.
Also, though not exactly merchandise, the Oxalis plant comes to mind. I'm actually growing a different species of it than the one in the comic.
△ I agree with the author!🖐️
Q. This is also the wish of many readers. Are there any plans for physical volumes?
A. There is nothing confirmed at the moment.
[Outro]
Q. Are there any works you'd recommend to the readers who experienced <The Spark in Your Eyes>?
A. I'll just list a few of my favorite movies...!
The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Princess Mononoke (1997), Titanic (1997), The Mummy (1999), Curse of the Golden Flower (2006), Chloe (2009),
Gravity (2013), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Gone Girl (2014), Knives Out (2019), Dune (2021), Nope (2022)
Q. You are preparing side stories, so please give a brief introduction to the many fans eagerly waiting!
A. The side stories will mostly focus on the tales of supporting characters that weren't fully wrapped up in the main story.
Griselda, Therion, the main characters you're probably anticipating the most, and a glimpse into the era before the main story will also be featured.
I'm in the thick of drawing it right now, and I'm a bit worried if it'll live up to expectations.
Still, I'm giving it my absolute best once again. The page count keeps increasing.
△ Let's meet again soon~❤️🔥
Q. Even if it's not for your next work, is there a genre you'd like to try drawing someday?
A. A casual adventure fantasy? I think I'll always love fantasy.
Q. Thank you so much for answering this long interview. You must have received many comments and questions throughout your run; are there any that stand out in your memory?
A. It was a joyful time for me to look back on my memories of the serialization as well.
There are too many memorable comments to pick just one! I believe many of the frequent questions I received have been answered through this interview.
Q. Lastly, if you have any words for the readers who loved <The Spark in Your Eyes>, please feel free to share.
A. I am just always grateful. Please look forward to the side stories and the final epilogue as well!
Nevertheless... for us to keep living on...
Thank you for joining this interview❤️