Korea

A country where most of the Superstring webtoons (Mainly the main dimension) takes place such as **Terror Man**, **Neolithic Girl**, **Reawakened Man**, **Distant Sky**, etc.

## Background

### Geography

Located in East Asia, south of North Korea and east of China. It is basically a peninsula surrounded by water except where it connects with North Korea. Korea's administrative division is split up into different tiers, much like other countries.

### Locations

The following province, districts, neighborhoods and some landmarks are in alphabetical order in terms of its category. Majority of these are actual real life places. Below are currently known that appear in the Super String Universe:

1. (For specific places (i.e. shops), refer to the highlighted purple bolded text of cities and province).
2. (Province, Cities, & Towns are regular font, neighborhoods are underlined and locations are italicized). (Some exceptions may apply).
3. (Keep in mind that the following may be incorrect in placement as we aren't confidentially sure besides googling).

#### Known Locations

* **Busan-si** - The second largest city besides Seoul. This is where most of Kangtawoo takes place.
* **Chungcheongnam-do** - a province of South Korea in the Hoseo region. Bongchun learns its dialect.

* **Daejeon-si** - Largest scientific city with population of 1.4 billion. The King resides here.
* **Daegu-si** - Thirds largest city besides Busan and Seoul. Important location in season 3 of Distant Sky.
	+ Dongseong Street - the area where the military suppose to be but is not there.

* **Gangwon-do** - A province at the north east of South Korea.
* **Gyeonggi-do** - the most populous province in South Korea. It is the setting where some of Reawakened Man takes place
	+ Anyang-si - A city where the construction battle incident took place.
		- *Anyang Station* - A metro station.
		- Bakdal-dong - A neighborhood where the Red Mafia caused a steel girder murder.
	+ Gwangmyeong-si - A city where a gangster group called the "Seven Dragons" were located.
	+ *Jungnang River* -
	+ Seongnam-si - The fourth largest city after Suwon city.
		- *Seongnam Air Force* - An area where the Telekinesis Cyborg kidnaps Seonghyeon Kang and Tsurara Fuyuki. Nikolai II bombed the base.
	+ Siheung-si - A city where Lilia bought a warehouse to train Jungwoo Min.
		- Misan-Dong - A neighborhood where a bus crash created by the Red Mafia was located.
			* *Misan High School* - The school that Yerin Cha attended formerly after graduating.
	+ *Steel Factory* - Located somewhere in the province which Junghyeon Seok worked at.
	+ Suwon-si - A city where Changuk Lee works.
	+ Paju-si -
		- *Daeseong Industrial High*
	+ Yongin-si -
		- *Yongin Seoul Highway*
	+ Pangyo-dong

* **Gyeongsangnam-do** *-* a province in the southeast of South Korea.
	+ Changwon-si - Changhyuk Yoo is from here.
		- Masan-si - A city where Dosu Gwak once lived
	+ *Gimhae International Airport* - Located at the western end of Busan. The airport where Lilia first arrived to Korea as Seokyoung Min leaves.
	+ Tongyeong-si - Seungah Yoon's hometown.

* **Incheon-si** - A city bordering between Seoul and Gyeonggi-do.

* **Islands**
	+ *Black Island* - a fictitious Island where the Pet Shop (Jungle Juice) has a lab. The NEST students go there on a mission to scout the island.
	+ *Dokdo (Liancourt Rocks)* - a disputed set of islands between Korea and Japan. It is mentioned that Burning Hell island is near Dokdo.
	+ *Burning Hell* - a fictitious island where Burning Hell Webtoon takes place. It is where criminals from both Japan and Korea are sent during the Joseon Period of Korea.
	+ *Chamma Island* - a fictitious island where the PVP Championship Hanlim Gym (Webtoon) is carried out.
	+ ***Jeju Island*** - The setting where most of Island Part 1 and 2 is located.
* **Jeonbuk-do** - Also known as North Jeolla Province. Was the starting location of season 4 of Distant Sky.
	+ *Jeonju Hanok Village* - Changuk was at this location after Haneul patched him up the first time.
* **Jeollanam-do** - Also known as the South Jeolla Province.
	+ Buksan-dong - A neighborhood where Kyung-I's grandma's house is located.
	+ Goheung-gun - a county where the Naro Space Station is located.
	+ Hwangsan-do - A province within South Jeolla Province. Woneon Oh is a lawmaker there.
	+ Suncheon-si - A city where Changuk and the party pass by Suncheon on their way to the Naro Space Station.
* **Sejong-si**
	+ *Government Complex Sejong* - the located of the MOIS and where White attempted to kidnap the President Hyunok Choi in Terror Man Season 2.
* **Seoul-si** - The capital and largest metropolis of Korea. The setting most of Terror Man and some of Reawakened Man takes place.
* **Ulsan-si** - a city where Dokyung Shin & Gluttony lives.

There are 3 volcanoes in South Korea, the biggest one being Mt. Baekdu (with the last activity being recorded in 1903), the second volcano Mt. Halla (created by the volcanic activities about 1.8 million years ago), and the last one is the Ulleung Island (formed from erupted magma in the East Sea).

### History

Below are the various dynasties:

* **Three Kingdoms Period** (57 BC to 668 AD) - during this period, there were three main kingdoms that dominated the Korean peninsula: **Goguryeo, Baekje**, and **Silla**. Ultimately, Silla, with the help of the Tang Dynasty in China was able to unify the three kingdoms, although according to Suki Kang, it was Chulsoo Kim was the one who unified the three kingdoms.
	+ **Goguryeo**
		- The Kingdom of Chilgap in Blade of the Phantom Master is latter renamed by Pyeonggang to Goguryeo.
	+ **Baekje**
		- The Great Eight Clans - the eight clans of the Baekje Kingdom that formed the aristocracy and dominated all official positions in the kingdom. However, after the downfall of the Baekje Kingdom, the Baek family was renamed to avoid the family from being wiped out.
	+ **Silla**
		- The legend of Cheoyong (Neolithic Girl) - Neolithic Girl recounts the true events behind the legend. Suki Kang just happened to pass by when she heard a lady scream. Cheoyong's wife was being assault right in front of his eyes. However, it turns out the attack was the son of a noble. Suki defeated him and saved Cheoyong. However, the officials, worried about the public reactions to the horrors, spread the rumor that became the Song of Cheoyong.
		- Hwarang (Blade of the Phantom Master) - Also known as the Flowering Knights, were an elite warrior group of male youth in Silla. Wonsul, from Blade of the Phantom Master, was part of this elite group. Wonsul's name is derived also from a famous Silla general who was also part of the historical Hwarang, Wonsul Kim.
* **Parhae Dynasty** (698–926 AD)
* **Goryeo Dynasty** (918–1392 AD)
	+ Sambyeolcho (Blade of the Phantom Master) - a military unit of the Goryeo dynasty while the Choe family held the reins of power as military dictators behind puppet kings. It is a combination of three special units, the Special Night Unit, the Special Unit of the Left and the Special Unit of the Right. The name of the units is probably the inspiration behind the Sambyeolcho unit that was revered as a legend in Jyushin that Ajitae revives from the dead. Furthermore, Jungson, one of the leaders of the Sambyeolcho in Blade of the Phantom Master, is based on Bae Jungson (배중손, 裴仲孫), a historical character who had led the Sambyeolcho to revolt against the king as they resented the government's peace term with the Mongols. The rebellion was crushed by the Goryeo-Yuan alliance.
	+ Goryeojang (Blade of the Phantom Master) - a practice of carrying away the elderly when they reach a certain age and abandoning them in the mountains or plains. It was said that it was actually observed during the Kingdom of Goryeo, thus the name. Since, the history of this practice has only been passed down orally, some scholars have suggested that it is only a folktale highlighting filial piety. In Blade of the Phantom Master, Munsu encounters the a pile of dead bodies and was originally told by the villagers that they were killed by demons, but in reality, it the villagers who had brought their elderly to the mountains to let them die. Munsu then punished these villagers for their cruelty.
* **Joseon Dynasty** (1392–1910 AD)
	+ Voynich Manuscript Smuggled into Korea - the Minister of MOIS mentions about how a foreigner had brought the Voynich Manuscript which contains the story of the Okta/Spelta war. It is for this reason that White changed its plans to capture the President of Korea to obtain the manuscript.
	+ Princess Subin Bong and Sossang - During the Joseon Dynasty, Suki Kang became a court lady in the palace, taking on the name of Sossang. However, during that time, she saw the the Crown Princess (Sunbin Bong) was not loved by the Crown Prince, thus she made friends with her to comfort her. One day, she was ill with an unknown disease and so Suki kisses her to cure her. This was witnessed by the prince and misunderstood as inappropriate relations, thus, the princess was abolished from her position and Suki was sentenced to death. After Suki revived, she went to find the princess, but the princess' father had killed her out of humiliation.
	+ Dongui Bogam - A classic text on Eastern medicine first published during this dynasty. It records some of the medicinal purposes of the toxin cantharidin produced by Hana Seon's complex (spotted laternfly)
	+ Hyeminseo - the medical authority of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Officers were in charge of producing medicines, teaching disciplines, and researching Korean medicine. Han Kim was a medic in the Hyeminseo, but was exiled to Burning Hell island for committing murder.
	+ Wudong Eo - a famous giseang from the Joseon Dynasty who with her outstanding beauty and talent, led astray countless high-ranking officials and scholars, creating the greatest scandal of the time. However, in the end, only Wudong Eo took the fall while everyone else involved was pardoned and some were not even arrested. Her story is mentioned by Hojin Won to Seungpyo in My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days (Webtoon) as a warning to not get too attached to Miwoo Ha (a hostess).
	+ Burning Hell - the events of Burning Hell occur during this period.
* **Korean Empire (1897–1910)**
* **Japanese Rule (1910–1945)**
	+ Yun Dong-ju (Island)
* **Korean War (1945–1953)**

### Folkore and Mythology

* Tale of Cheoyang
* Tale of Hong Gildong and Hwalbindang
* Tale of Pyeonggang and Ondal
* Tale of Chunhyuang
* Tale of Satanee (Jeju Island) - It is a folkore in Jeju Island that tells of a salt merchant who travelled around the country selling salt. During that time, his wife cheated on him and ran away with another man, leaving their infant child starving to death. Upon returning and seeing his dried up, the salt merchant put the body into a salt bin and carried the child as he wandered around the country. A few years later, when the salt merchant came across his wife, he unpacked his belonging and showed her the body of the child. It is said that the child crawled slowly toward her mother and when her mother saw the child, she died on the spot. This story is the basis on of the events in Island Season 2, when Miho and Johan help a young women who was being possessed.

## Government

### In Office

Blue House

* President - there have been various different presidents during the span of the various, most are often never mentioned or alluded to, but a few are mentioned or even appear:
	+ Terror Man - Hyunok Choi is the president during Terror Man Season 2. She is abducted by White in an attempt to obtain the Voynich Manuscript.
	+ My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days - the president is mentioned, but never by name. However, given the timeline, it could possibly be Hyunok Choi.
	+ Marco Polo's Travel to the Multiverse - the president in office is a male president that is never named. He visits Miho Won to demand from her the access to the portal as he was being threatened by White or part of White. However, he was quickly eliminated by his bodyguard, who in fact a White high-ranking member in disguise.
	+ Kangtawoo - the president is mentioned by one of the DPC directors.
* Prime Minister (Terror Man) - head of the Counter-Terrorist Organization during Terror Man Season 1. His name is never revealed, but he is the one who signs a confidential document outlining the changes to the law pertaining terrorism. In it, it outlines what a terrorist is and in article 2.1, it states that when a terrorist is identified, the one in charge has every right to fire. The prime minister was the one who proposed the change. It turns out that the Prime Minister's second son-in-law is the owner of the Daehan Mall that collapsed in Terror Man Season 1, explaining why he made those changes to the law.
* Chief Presidential Secretary - a position. During different Webtoons, this position has been mentioned a few times as well as the name of the person in that position, here is a list:
	+ Terror Man Season 1- Chief Kim was the Chief Presidential Secretary during Terror Man Season 1 who had ties with Hayeon Yeon as he helps her arrange the meeting with the Corporate Chairmen in the Jinmyung Tower.
	+ Terror Man Season 2 - Kisoo Cheon was the Chief Presidential Secretary during Terror Man Season 2 and part of White. He was later killed by Red Swan.
	+ My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days - Chief Kim was briefly mentioned as the Chief Presidential Secretary during My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days. He is mentioned in a conversation between Hojin Won and Seungpyo, when Hojin tells Seungpyo to take good care of him as he has been worried about Sungjin Kim.
	+ Reawakened Man - Mingyu Kim is the Chief Presidential Secretary during time of Reawakened Man. He is listed on the lobbying list of the Dowon Group.

Note: Though there were three Chief Secretary Kims (Terror Man, MNSBTYD, and Reawakened Man), in terms of the timeline, it would seem that there is a high possiblity that Chief Kim of MNSBTYD may be the same as Mingyu Kim in Reawakened Man. Then again, "Kim" is a very common surname.

Ministry of Interior and Safety (MOIS)

* Minister of Interior and Safety (MOIS) - Currently the only minister in this position mentioned in the Webtoons is Seungmoo Kim in Terror Man Season 2.
* National Forensic Service - one of the institutions under MOIS. It is mentioned by detective Taejin as a recommendation to Siwoo if she wants to pursue the truth of Miwoo's death by submitting her body to forensics.

Ministry of Justice

* Minister of Justice - Currently the only minister in this position mentioned in the Webtoons is Jungyeoung Sim. He was on the lobbying list of the Dowon Group and is invited by Minhyeok Kim, along with the National Police Commissioner and Silla Times Executive Editor in order to reassert their cooperation with the Dowon Group. Jungyeoung was dismissed after the Dowon Group was exposed.

Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF)

* Minister of Economy and Finance - the minister made an appearance in Terror vs Revival as one of the 3 positions to check on the DPC.
* Vice Minister of Economy and Finance - the vice minister (also unnamed) was mentioned in Terror vs Revival as the person who Yegun Choi's team was ordered to rescue, but turned out to be a member of White.

Ministry of Defense - the equivalent of the Department of Defense in the US and in charge all military operations. Different branches under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense are often mentioned, especially since the army/navy/air force are all under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense. They play a larger role during Terror Man Season 2 and also a minor role during Marco Polo's Travel to the Multiverse.

* Minister of Defense - the minister during Terror Man Season 1 was Minister Kim who was mentioned briefly by Chairman Jang when they are being attacked in the Jinmyung Tower. The National Command Authority runs from the President and the Minister of National Defense to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and then to Operational Commands of the service branches, bypassing the Headquarters of each service branch.
* Joint Chief of Staff - group of Chiefs from each major branch of the armed services in the South Korean military. Unlike the United States' counterpart which is primarily advisory, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has actual operational control over all military personnel of South Korea's armed forces. The only member metnioned is Siyoung Kim from MNSBTYD, who was the former Joint Chief of Staff.
	+ Operational Commands - there are five Operational Commands in the Army, two in the Navy (including the Marine Corps) and one in the Air Force.
	+ Underwater Demolitions Unit - Chanhyuk Yoo was part of this unit.

Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF)

* Minister of Strategy and Finance - the only minister in this position mentioned is Hongju Kwon who was the former Minister during My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days (Webtoon). It was mentioned that the most likely candidate to replace his position was supposed to be Sungjin Kim. Sungjin Kim actually aimed for this position as the minister becomes the de-facto deputy prime minister. He wanted to use that position to take down Hojin Won and the Jinmyung Group.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) - though never mentioned directly, the Korean Foundation (KF) is part of the MOFA.

* KF (Korean Foundation?) - Presummably KF is referring to Korean Fund, which non-profit public diplomacy organization under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) established in 1991 to promote a better understanding of Korea and strengthen friendships in the international community. Sungjin mentions once about the president of KF looking for someone to fill the director for the legal department.

National Intelligence Service (NIS)

* Changhyuk Yoo
* Junwoo Han

Supreme Court - according to Chansoo, of the many people Miwoo seduced, one of them was the Chief Justice.

Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) – South Korea's integrated financial regulator that examines and supervises financial institutions. The governor of the FSS is mentioned by Chansoo Lee when he meets with Siwoo in the yacht, telling him he is one of the many higher-ups that Miwoo slept with in Dasom.

National Tax Service - the commissioner of the National Tax Service is mentioned during Reawakened Man

Others

* Minister Lee - originally going to attend a briefing Suho Jin had set up, but Hayeon bought him out by promising her support from the shadows for the next 10 years.
* Governor Nam - originally going to attend a briefing Suho Jin had set up, but Hayeon bought him out by promising her support from the shadows for the next 10 years.

Disaster Preparatory Committee

### Political Parties

* National Peace Party - one of the political parties mentioned in Terror Man. Congressman Euiseok Jung, who had barged in MOIS to complain to Seungmoo Kim, belongs to this party.
* Haemin Party - one of the more significant parties in the Super String Universe and in most cases, the ruling party. Among the party members, some of the more significant ones include Sungjin Kim, the party leader during My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days and Changhyuk Yoo, a congressman who is a major antagonist in Terror vs Revival.
* New Millennium National Party - one of the opposing parties. The Congressman Hohyup Kang from this party tries to discredit Sungjin Kim from the Haemin Party, but because of Miwoo who collects incriminating information on him, he recants and apologizes in public.

### Prosecution and Police Force

* Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office
* Gangnam Police Station - it is one of the police stations mentioned in My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days (Webtoon)
* 박수길 - chief prosecutor of the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office during the time of Reawakened Man.
* Jungsoo Won - Hojin Won's second son and prosecutor of the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office.
* 이윤철 - The Commissioner of the National Police Agency/Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner - he was arrested after the Dowon Group was exposed, also implying some sort of connection.

* **SWAT** - the SWAT team is dispatched to the Tamra School of Medicine upon the reports of the Shinjuku Skulls. However, upon arriving, they found that no one was actually hurt.

## Conglomerates/Corporations

There are a few conglomerates that are mentioned through the Super String Universe. The main ones being as follow:

* Daehan Group
* Taewang Group
* Jinmyung Group
* Dowon Group
* Y&Y Group
* MS Company
* Castle Soft

Because corporation titles vary a bit in Korea compared to the US or other countries, sometimes, the translations may make it unclear what their position is, especially the title "Director", which in English can be ambiguous in terms of a member of the Board of Directors or the Head of a Department. Because in Korea, titles are important and certain people are address not by their complete name, but rather their title plus their surname, i.e Chairman Jang or Director Lee. Below is the list and translation of common job titles. The first group below are the executive positions that are part of the board of directors.

Below are the positions that are non-executives positions, ranked from high to low. Of course there may be many other positions in between for larger corporations, but for purpose of simplicity, only some of the major positions are listed:

* 사외 이사 Sa-oe Ee-sa (Outside Director) - After the 1997 IMF Financial Crisis in Korea, this position was borrowed from the U.S. corporate system to allow for more company oversight through unbiased opinions. Like in the U.S. they are not employees of the company and instead serve on the board of directors.

## Criminal Organizations

* Dowon Group/Dowon Clan (Reawakened Man)
* Daegil Clan (Hanlim Gym)
* Incheon Gang (Neolithic Girl)
* Dongwoo Gang (Reawakened Man)
* Butcher Gang (Reawakened Man)
* Busan Yookseong Gang (Reawakened Man)
* Inwan Capital (Reawakened Man)
* Chulsoo Capital (Neolithic Girl)

## Webtoon Appearances

### Electronics Horror Store

After Eris is taken away and Yak's wings are ripped off, Yak moves to Korea, first to Busan and then later inland.

### Island

The events in Island occur in Jeju Island.

### Kangtawoo

Most of the events occur in Busan, Korea.

### The Queens

Miho Won recruits Suki Kang in Korea before they go to a mission in the US.

### Jungle Juice

Most of the events occur in Gangwon Province.

### Terror vs Revival

Most of the events occur in Korea, mainly in Seoul.

### Distant Sky

Most the events of Distant Sky take place in Korea, mainly in Seoul and partly in Jeju Island in Season 5.

## Gallery

Daejeon Infobox.pngBusanBusanBlack Island Infobox.pngJeju IslandJeju IslandSeoulSeoulIncheonIncheon
Full Gallery Page

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative\_divisions\_of\_South\_Korea
2. ↑ Distant Sky, Season 3, Ep.20
3. ↑ Distant Sky, Season 4, Ep. 12
4. ↑ Hanlim Gym, Season 1, Ep.1
5. ↑ Burning Hell, Ep.1
6. ↑ Hanlim Gym, Season 2, Ep.4
7. ↑ Distant Sky, Season 4, Ep.4
8. ↑ Kangtawoo, Ep. 15
9. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goheung\_County#Naro\_Space\_Center
10. ↑ https://mapcarta.com/16033482
11. ↑ https://web.kma.go.kr/eng/weather/current\_state/volcano.jsp
12. ↑ https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/
13. ↑ https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/
14. ↑ Neolithic Girl, Ep. 27
15. ↑ Neolithic Girl, Ep. 26
16. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwarang
17. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gim\_Won-sul
18. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambyeolcho
19. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambyeolcho\_Rebellion
20. ↑ https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/detail/5732
21. ↑ Terror Man, Season Man, Ep. 86
22. ↑ Neolithic Girl, Ep. 10
23. ↑ Jungle Juice, Ep.32
24. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyeminseo
25. ↑ Burning Hell, Ep.1
26. ↑ My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days, Season 1, Ep.5
27. ↑ Burning Hell, Ep.1
28. ↑ https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%83%88%ED%83%80%EB%8B%88
29. ↑ Terror Man, Season 1, Ep. 90
30. ↑ Terror Man, Season 1, Ep. 69
31. ↑ Terror Man, Season 1, Ep. 87
32. ↑ Terror Man, Season 2, Ep. 37
33. ↑ Reawakened Man, Season 1, Ep. 76
34. ↑ My Nights Shine Brighter than Your Days, Season 1, Ep.7
35. ↑ Reawakened Man, Season 1, Ep. 76
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Terror vs Revival, Ep. 2
37. ↑ Terror Man, Season 1, Ep.87
38. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint\_Chiefs\_of\_Staff\_(South\_Korea)
39. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint\_Chiefs\_of\_Staff\_(South\_Korea)
40. ↑ My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days, Season 1, Ep.1
41. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint\_Chiefs\_of\_Staff\_(South\_Korea)
42. ↑ My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days, Season 3, Ep.10
43. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea\_Foundation
44. ↑ My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days, Season 3, Ep.22
45. ↑ My Nights Shine Brighter than Your Days, Season 3, Ep.1
46. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial\_Supervisory\_Service\_(South\_Korea)
47. ↑ My Nights Shine Brighter Than Your Days, Season 3, Ep.1
48. ↑ Terror Man, Season 1, Ep. 40
49. ↑ Terror Man, Season 1, Ep. 40
50. ↑ My Nights Shine Brighter than Your Days, Season 4, Ep.20
51. ↑ The Korean SWAT changed its name to SOU (Special Operations Unit) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National\_Police\_Agency\_(South\_Korea)#Special\_Operations\_Unit\_(SOU)
52. ↑ Island, Part 1, Ep.71
53. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate\_title