Creator mattgom Interview
Meet the Trending Creator
vol. 243
[My Comeback as the Youngest Member]
Creator mattgom | Naver Webtoon
A planet of civilization filled with singing children
The chosen boys who arrived from that star riding 'Stardust'...
...I don't know about all that, but if they're handsome, MAKE SOME NOISEEEEAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never mind who's main or supporting, picking your ultimate bias will have you binge-reading this devilishly charming series.
The interview with Creator mattgom of <My Comeback as the Youngest Member>,
starts right now!
[INTRO]
Q. Creator mattgom! Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview. Could you please give us a brief introduction before we begin?
A. Hello, everyone!! Nice to meet you. I'm creator mattgom.
[About mattgom]
Q. How did you come up with the pen name "mattgom"?
A. Actually, when I was trying to come up with a pen name, I was eating Matbam (roasted chestnuts).
It's one of my favorite snacks, so I initially wanted to go with "Matbam,"
but since it's a specific brand name, I twisted it to "mattgom" (flavor bear) just in case the company wouldn't allow it.😉
Q. Congratulations on the launch of the second season of your highly successful debut series! You must be incredibly busy. Has your daily life changed much since your official debut?
A. I was so nervous on the day of the Season 2 launch,
but thankfully, my fellow creators hung out with me all day.
Thanks to them, I was able to relax a little bit.
They bought me a cake and gave me a lot of other congratulatory gifts that day, but ironically, this is the only picture I have left...
△ A modest celebration party with fellow creators 💐
I was too scared to check the comments on the first day, so my mom read them and summarized them for me.
There's hardly been any major change...
I just occasionally hear from people around me that they are enjoying the series.
Since I had been working on the manuscript non-stop even before the launch... Yes. It's exactly the same.🥲
Q. I heard you used to be an ordinary office worker. I'm so curious about the story of your debut!
A. While working at a company, I briefly serialized a personal black-and-white comic on the side.
By chance, a PD contacted me because of that work,
and I signed a contract out of the blue without ever having done a color webtoon before.
(Of course, Naver Webtoon didn't just hand it to me right away; I also went through tests for adaptation, storyboarding, and art...🥹)
Knowing full well that I lacked experience in the webtoon field, I spent the preparation period working insanely hard.
In particular, I was absolutely obsessed with tutorials on how to draw handsome people well.
◁ The result of learning how to draw handsome guys well (Just my personal taste...)
As a side note, I never actually had a specific dream like, "I must become a webtoon creator!"
My plan was to keep serializing while working at my company. I treated it almost like a hobby.
However, since I was given such an incredible opportunity, I couldn't help but consider pivoting my career.
Looking back, I feel like I made the biggest decision of my life at that moment.
Right now, I am extremely satisfied living as a freelancer.
Please don't ask me what my first work was, though. It's too embarrassing.🫠
Q. If you weren't an aspiring creator aiming for this path, I'd imagine you hesitated quite a bit when you received the serialization offer...
How did you feel when you first received the proposal from the PD?
A. Following up a bit on my previous answer, I really deliberated on it for a long time.
Because at the time, I was also preparing to move to another company.
Since I was working in a field completely unrelated to webtoons,
when I asked for advice from trusted people around me, they all said it was incredibly unexpected.
Honestly, I was surprised myself too. I even begged my boss to take me back if the webtoon thing didn't work out. Haha.
Anyway, looking back at when I first got the offer...
I had always heard that Naver Webtoon usually decides on debuts through formal submissions,
so I genuinely thought the webtoon offer was spam disguised as a PD.
Even as we were exchanging emails, I half-doubted it,
and it only felt real when I finally visited the company and saw them greeting me with a smile in the lobby.
Q. It seems your deep interest and affection for comics and webtoons have blossomed into your current skills.
Out of all the numerous works you've read since childhood, is there any piece you still find yourself re-reading whenever it comes to mind?
A. That's right, I loved and constantly consumed webtoons and comics.
I think my desire to create came from being so deeply impressed by those works,
hoping that one day, I too could positively influence someone's world through my own creations.
Of course, now that it's my profession, that desire has only grown stronger.
I tend to read across all genres without being picky.
A manga I truly loved is <Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle> by CLAMP.
The art is incredibly beautiful, and the underlying messages are profound with so much to think about, so I really liked it.
For domestic works, I owned and read almost everything by creator Kim Yeon-joo.
Surprisingly, I also have a soft spot for Eastern fantasy, and I remember enjoying <Nabi> immensely.
Q. Though based on the fantasy genre of regression, the characters in your work receive as much love as real-life idols.
I believe your dedication to interacting with fans in various ways plays a huge role in that.
Where do you mostly get your ideas for these promotional efforts?
A. I mostly referenced the actual marketing activities of real idol agencies.
Of course, it was difficult to utilize all the marketing elements,
but whenever I got a gut feeling like, 'The readers will probably love this~!', I put it into action immediately.
People around me actually ask me this question from time to time.
Due to the nature of the idol genre, I think it's not too burdensome to blatantly use promotional phrases!
Because it's familiar, right...? Haha. If I were working on a different genre, I probably would have thought of other ways to communicate.
△ Which agency does this amazing job?👍
Q. It feels like more than just webtoon material—the realism regarding the idol ecosystem and fandom culture is truly alive.
I think this is why readers' immersion is so remarkably high. Were you always this interested in idol culture?
A. Yes! Absolutely. I was just as interested in idols as I was in comics and anime.
Plus, having many friends who were into idols meant I picked up a lot of things from them.
Honestly, even when I received the offer for the webtoon adaptation, if I hadn't liked the original work or the genre,
I might not have readily agreed to adapt it. But I remember smiling brightly and reviewing it the moment I heard "idol genre."
A part I put a lot of effort into during the adaptation was, 'How can I seamlessly introduce idol culture to those experiencing it for the first time through this work?'
Since the K-pop market was already massive, there was so much entrenched slang.
I wanted it to reach even those unfamiliar with idol culture naturally.
Words like 'photocard unboxing' (포카깡) or 'canceled-ticket sniping' (취켓팅) are familiar to idol fans,
but to the general public, they might think, 'What is that...?' So I thought a lot about how general readers could immerse themselves in the story.
Q. Do you have any music you frequently listen to or media you rely on while working?
A. I usually leave YouTube Music on.
It's a smart friend, so I enjoy how it automatically curates the next song.
It plays music similar to the genres I already listen to, and occasionally, it's fun discovering new artists through it.
Among various genres, I listen to idol songs and indie band music the most.
There are way too many groups I like... That's the trait of a casual multi-stan :) I especially love ATEEZ, aespa, and BOYNEXTDOOR.
Do they not have much in common? That's because I'm a multi-stan... If the song is good, I naturally start liking the artist too.
Lately, I've been hooked on a song called Annie by Wave to Earth.
It gives off this musical texture as if it's playing on a vinyl record. I bought their recent album, but I have no idea when it's arriving. Please send it quickly.
'Aluminum' by Broken Valentine is also a track I consistently seek out and listen to.
Q. I'm curious about your workspace!
A. Wow, this is a first. I'll reveal a part of my workspace...!
I have a large floor-to-ceiling window, so I practically live with the blinds drawn during the day.
Now that I'm a freelancer and spend more time at home, I've been doing temporary foster care volunteering.
I'm currently fostering two adult cats rescued from a construction site 😽
They'll find a good family someday, but I wanted to leave a record of our time together right now through this interview.
(They are so cute. Meow meow, looking for a family...)
△ Sunlit workspace (left) The foster kitties❣️ (right)
[About <My Comeback as the Youngest Member>]
Q. Before we dive deep into the series... congratulations on the launch of Season 2!!!!!!!!!
A. Wow! Thank you so much!!!
While on hiatus, looking back at Season 1 made me realize how much I was lacking in many aspects.🥲
After a preparation period filled with self-reflection and a desperate struggle to improve, Season 2 is finally out.😆
Q. Even though this is your debut work, it's based on an original web novel. I understand you handle the adaptation yourself. Were there any difficulties?
A. Adaptation feels even harder than creating an original piece.
I realized that the charming points readers find in the original novel vary from person to person.
Since the original is a long series with over 600 chapters, certain episodes inevitably have to be omitted due to webtoon pacing.
I always agonize over which parts to keep and which to condense.
I honestly feel like setting up a poll for the readers. Like, asking which episode scenes they absolutely want to see in the webtoon.
Q. When bringing the original novel to the webtoon format, what do you focus on the most during the adaptation, and what is your overall process like?
A. Right now, I am focusing a bit more on the power and plausibility of the story to make readers curious about the next episode.
First off, naturally, I've read the original novel multiple times. I write summary treatments for each chapter and organize the timeline, which is a very important task.
Given the nature of the original being an idol and regression genre, the timeline is extremely complex.
While the protagonist continues his idol activities, he is also entangled in other events necessary for the main story to progress.
To make this look more natural in the webtoon, I frequently organize the event timelines.
To be honest, if you put the novel and the webtoon side by side, the dialogue might seem slightly different depending on the order of events unfolding,
but I try my absolute best to maintain the core flow leading up to the climax.
I'll work hard to highlight the unique charm of the webtoon. Please stay with us until the end!! (begging earnestly)
△ Original web novel cover (left) Webtoon Season 2 cover (right)
Q. On your creator home page and social media, I see you sharing a lot of behind-the-scenes artwork and different sides of the members...
Maintaining such high-quality art while constantly communicating with fans!! When do you ever sleep...?
A. Surprisingly, I sleep very well.
I overconfident in my youth, and midway through the Season 2 manuscript, I suffered a minor wrist injury.
When I asked the orthopedic doctor, they said it was just carpal tunnel syndrome, a typical occupational disease for artists.
Since then, I also had a reality check and have been making a lot of compromises to avoid overworking my wrist as much as possible.
△ Infinite glory and blessings to the creator's wrist...🙏
Q. I read on the series' home page that you received help from 'hidden masters' for the various stage directions in Season 1.
Among them, was there a stage setup that perfectly hit your personal taste, making you think, "I'd love to see this in real life"?
A. I usually decide on the stage concept, and then I get outfit recommendations from an acquaintance with great styling sense to match that concept.
A stage outfit and concept that I personally absolutely loved was the "Touch Me" (건드려) stage in episode 38.
They perfectly captured the sporty vibe I wanted to portray by utilizing signature signs and denim textures❣️
I think I also did some experimental stage direction(?) in that episode.
◁ 'Touch Me' Team Stage Outfits
Experimental(?) stage direction... Peekaboo❤️▷
Q. Season 2 kicked off with the MV teaser for 'SPACEWALK', the debut song of the Stardust members who are now on the verge of their official debut.
The MV teaser introduced in the webtoon was also produced and released as an actual animated PV.
Could you tell us about the process of bringing the 2D members to life into reality?
A. The biggest reason I decided to produce a PV was because I wanted to scream, "Readers, please read Season 2!!"
There are so many webtoons coming out these days. So I was terrified that everyone might have forgotten about our series or me.
We went through a lot of internal meetings, heavily considering other ways to make a Season 2 opening video.
Eventually, we reached the conclusion that an opportunity to create an animated PV for a series and genre like this would be rare in my career as a creator going forward.
The core concept of the group 'Stardust' is Space SF, which was exactly the visual style I desperately wanted to express.
Above all, I had this certainty that I would have a blast working on it and that the readers would absolutely love it.
Did they like it? I really hope so...🥲
I've attached a scene from the intermediate process I received. The details are truly immense...👍
◁ You can watch it on the 'Naver Webtoon' YouTube channel!!
Q. Along with the dopamine-rushing opening, a character who seems to know Seohan's true identity appeared.
It instantly shifted the mood to feel almost like a thriller, providing intense tension. What role will 'Kim Woochan' play in the upcoming Season 2?
A. Kim Woochan is a character who appears in the early-to-mid part of the original novel and alters the flow of the story.
Actually, in the webtoon, he makes his appearance a bit earlier.
In the original, he is described as having 'black hair and black eyes'! For added dramatic tension in the webtoon, I adapted him to have red eyes.
I'm finally revealing the earliest character sheet for Kim Woochan here.😉
Season 1 revolved around the protagonist Seohan's goal of 'debuting'.
In Season 2, we needed new events to form a larger narrative arc and a different goal.
Kim Woochan is a figure involved in Seohan's 'survival', which serves as the cause and goal of that grand narrative arc.
The story gets even more exciting from here on... I would be deeply grateful if you'd keep watching.🙇🏻♂️
Q. What are some of the charms or points readers should definitely look out for in Season 2?
A. As Stardust makes their official debut, a ton of new characters will make their appearances.
How they interact with fellow idol groups, and internally among the Stardust members,
how their bond deepens, and what kind of relationships they form with one another will be key focal points.
Q. Every episode is met with diverse reactions from the readers in the comments. Are there any particular comments that stood out to you?
If there are any comments from readers that influenced you, please share!
A. I don't know if our readers are all experienced K-pop stans, but there were so many hilariously over-the-top fan comments.
There are countless ones, but in Season 1, there was a comment like this.
In episode 52, I also loved how they dropped these spicy jokes so wellㅠㅠ It was hilarious.
[Outro]
Q. Leaving your next project aside, if you were given infinite time and capital, is there a genre or story you would absolutely want to draw?
A. Embarrassingly, there are so many. What if I tried a different series... I line them up in my head every day and have a happy dilemma figuring out what to do first.
Of course, this is despite the fact that the ending for our series is still a long way off. (It really is a long way off!!)
I personally think my strong suit is in the romance genre.
...But that doesn't mean romance will suddenly pop up here, so rest assured.
Q. For readers who are newly discovering <My Comeback as the Youngest Member>, do you have any tips on how to properly enjoy the charm of this work?
A. Admire their faces, and think of it as a lighthearted webtoon to indirectly experience idol culture! Approaching it that way would probably be best.
△ This is my personal taste. (Stern) If you have any complaints, hurry up, binge-read it, and pick your own bias.😤
Q. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer this long interview.
Is there anything you absolutely wanted to say regarding <My Comeback as the Youngest Member> that wasn't covered in our prepared questions?
A. In an overflowing webtoon market, I know that paying to read a specific work is a sign of immense affection.
I will shed blood, sweat, and tears every day so you won't regret spending a single cookie!
Saying this makes it sound like an election campaign.
Phew.. phew... Saturday Webtoon Candidate #1 My Comeback as the Youngest Member... please bake lots of cookies for the fast pass.. I'll work hard. Phew...
Q. Lastly, please share any final words you'd like to say to the readers who have supported <My Comeback as the Youngest Member>!
A. To the readers, I L-L... Love you! The best way I can prove that is by repaying you through my work.
I want to work hard, manage my condition well, and show you a healthy, active side of myself for a long, long time, both through this series and my future works.
I also want to send my thanks to Chorong, who prepared these extensive interview questions.
Thanks to this interview, I was able to reflect deeply on my adaptation points and my life as a webtoon creator, making it a truly valuable experience.
I will strive to be a creator who can repay the warm interest you have shown me. Readers, I'll see you again this Saturday!
Saturday is when our members wait for you❣️ But make sure to read the interview before you go~🤙
Thank you for joining us for this long interview :)