Bum’s past trauma makes him vulnerable to Sangwoo’s manipulation.
Killing Stalking, a popular South Korean manhwa (webtoon) series, has garnered significant attention for its dark and twisted narrative. Written and illustrated by Killing Stalking artist, the series premiered in 2016 and has since become infamous for its graphic content, complex characters, and exploration of themes such as obsession, stalking, and violence. This paper will focus on the first chapter of Killing Stalking, analyzing its introduction of characters, plot, and themes, as well as the manhwa's overall impact on readers. killing stalking manhwa chapter 1
Koogi’s art in Chapter 1 is deliberately dual-natured. Early panels of Sangwoo are soft, handsome, and idealized through Bum’s lens—wide eyes, gentle lighting. Once the abduction happens, the linework becomes sharper, shadows deepen, and Sangwoo’s face transitions into something uncanny and menacing. The basement is drawn with oppressive, claustrophobic angles, trapping the reader alongside Bum. Bum’s past trauma makes him vulnerable to Sangwoo’s
Moreover, Bum's character raises questions about the psychological effects of trauma and the complexity of human emotions. His interactions with Sang-woo suggest that he may have experienced trauma in the past, which has led him to develop a guarded personality. This paper will focus on the first chapter
Bum finally musters the courage to follow Sangwoo home with the intent to confess his love. But he hesitates. Instead of knocking on the front door, he climbs a ladder to a second-story window—a habit from his previous break-ins.