Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Lim Duckyoung is a manhwa artist behind several works, including Mission Kitman, The Oddball Family, and My Nerdy Boss. He has published both print manhwa as well as digital “vertical strip” webtoons. As a lifelong fan of toys and collectibles, he also runs ToonToy, a brand of customizable plastic figures. ToonToys are small and squat, with large heads and rounded hands. By drawing on paper and then transferring the designs to the models, kids and adults can create a ToonToy of anything they can imagine—so long as it fits the figure’s form.
KComicsBeat was grateful to speak with Lim Duckyoung at Otakon this year. We discussed his early career, the influence of Akira Toriyama, and his abiding love for The Simpsons.
I’ve been drawing doodles since elementary school
ADAM WESCOTT: When did you first discover manhwa? Was there a series in particular that stood out to you as a child?
LIM DUCKYOUNG: The series that stood out to me first was a manga, Dragon Ball. I had read Korean manhwa before, but Dragon Ball made a significant impact on me.
WESCOTT: Was it an official or unofficial release?
LIM: This was forty years ago—a very long time. I’m 51 now! The first version of Dragon Ball I saw was an unofficial release, but they published an official version about two years later.
WESCOTT: When did you first begin drawing?
LIM: I’ve been doodling since elementary school. If I saw something interesting, I would try to copy it. Later, in university, I joined a manhwa drawing club. That’s when I became more serious. Two years later, I officially debuted as an artist.
There were many occasions when I was scolded by teachers for doodling in my textbooks.
WESCOTT: Me too! Do you remember what year you were in college?
LIM: I joined the manhwa club as a freshman. At first, I thought it would be an opportunity to discuss manhwa with other artists, but that wasn’t necessarily the case. In junior year, my friends and I took leadership of the club and reshaped it into what we wanted.
A trade-off I know that I made
WESCOTT: Did you work under another manhwa artist as an assistant when you started out? If so, what are your memories from that time?
LIM: I was self-taught since I started later than other artists. I decided I liked drawing on my own. As a result, I had freedom of expression. The downside, though, was that I missed the chance to practice certain skills, like detailed work, which I might have developed under another artist. I don’t regret my choice, but it was a trade-off I knowingly made.
WESCOTT: In terms of format, do you prefer to draw comic books or “vertical strip” webtoons?
LIM: I don’t have a preference because I draw both. I debuted as a print comics artist. Currently, I’m transitioning into drawing webtoons, so I’m reading a lot of them. If I had to pick, though, I’d choose book form.
WESCOTT: What other manhwa or webtoon artists inspire you?
LIM: If I were to name a Korean manhwa that inspired me, it would be Akdongi (The Malicious Child) by Lee Hee-jae. Others would be Dokkotak, who was previously a guest at Otakon, and Tteodori Kkachi (Wanderer Kkachi) by Lee Hyun-se. Looking to Japan, I’d pick Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump. I’m a big fan of Akira Toriyama.
WESCOTT: If you could pick one of your works to represent your output for international readers, which would it be?
LIM: I would pick The Oddball Family and My Nerdy Boss. Unfortunately, I had to stop drawing My Nerdy Boss after I was in an accident.
Do what you like
WESCOTT: When did you first become interested in toy collectibles? Was there a particular collectible that inspired Toontoy?
LIM: After I debuted as an artist, I started earning an artist’s salary. I spent that money on toys and collectibles. The first one I bought was a nine-inch figure from the movie Spawn. After that, I moved on to cute Japanese figures. Toontoy, though, was inspired by Dragon Ball and Doraemon, the best manga I know.
I came across American comics much later. I absolutely love The Simpsons, so I collect those figures too. Their round eyes inspire me when I draw.
WESCOTT: Do you have a favorite Simpsons episode?
LIM: I’ve watched many of the early seasons, but not the latest ones. My favorite character is Mr. Burns—though he’s not a nice person!
I also own three volumes of The Simpsons comics. I don’t understand much English, but I do my best to read them by following the drawings. I also own a Simpsons collection of about twenty characters. I love them.
WESCOTT: Toontoy has a consistent design but can be customized in many ways. What was the reasoning behind that decision?
LIM: When I started the business, I didn’t have much money. Drawing on paper is relatively cheap compared to creating models. So I thought, “What if I create one format that can be customized in many different ways?” I also thought about Legos and Bearbricks, which have one default format but can be adapted depending on the designs.
WESCOTT: What advice would you give to young artists who want to start drawing?
LIM: Follow your dreams. Do what you like. There’s no such thing as being late—I started late. Just do it!
