The Mysterious Store
My illustrated book thesis, The Mysterious Store, tells the story of Holle, a young girl who moves to a foreign land to pursue her dream of becoming an artist.
Throughout her journey, she experiences feelings of loneliness, cultural displacement, and the pressures of adapting to a new environment. Each time she feels lost, a mysterious store appears, offering her comfort, warmth, and reminders of home.
The store symbolizes the emotional support and love she receives from her family, even from afar. The flowers inside the store represent her family's blessings and care, framed on the cover as a lasting symbol of their enduring presence.
Ultimately, the story explores how family support plays a vital role in sustaining one’s pursuit of dreams and provides the strength to overcome challenges while growing independently.
To read the full thesis statement, please scroll down to the section below.
Thesis Statement
The nature of my research paper is to explore the transformative impact of webtoon platforms on the comic industry, emphasizing how technological advancements and digital platforms have revolutionized the careers of comic and manga artists. The paper highlights the financial and creative struggles faced by traditional comic artists in the United States and Japan, contrasting these challenges with the new opportunities provided by webtoons, such as increased income potential, global audience reach, and direct reader interaction. It focuses on the success of platforms like Naver LINE Webtoon, illustrating how vertical-scrolling comics designed for mobile consumption have reshaped the market and encouraged a new generation of creators to pursue sustainable careers in comics.
The nature of my thesis is the creation of an illustrated book titled The Mysterious Store, which tells the story of Holle, a young girl who moves to a foreign land to pursue her dream of becoming an artist. Throughout her journey, she experiences feelings of loneliness, cultural displacement, and the pressures of adapting to a new environment. Each time she feels lost, a mysterious store appears, offering her comfort, warmth, and reminders of home. The store symbolizes the emotional support and love she receives from her family, even from afar. The flowers inside the store represent her family's blessings and care, framed on the covers as a symbol of their enduring presence. The story ultimately explores the central theme of how family support plays a vital role in sustaining one’s pursuit of dreams and provides the strength to overcome challenges while growing independently.
My research on the rise of webtoons and digital comic platforms connects deeply to my thesis, offering new possibilities for The Mysterious Store. Inspired by how vertical-scrolling comics have been optimized for mobile reading, I experimented with creating a horizontal-scrolling digital format for my book, allowing readers to experience the story comfortably on their phones. During the Senior Thesis Show, visitors who scanned the QR code could immediately access the digital version and enjoy a seamless, mobile-friendly reading experience, reflecting the accessibility and convenience emphasized by webtoon culture.
By adapting to digital trends, my illustrated book can reach a broader, global audience beyond traditional print. Online platforms enable direct interaction with readers through comments and social media, providing real-time feedback, fostering connections, and building a community that strengthens my artistic voice.
My research also highlights how digital platforms offer new creative pathways for emerging artists, expanding opportunities for publication, audience engagement, and professional growth. Publishing The Mysterious Store online could not only support the evolution of my artistic career but also inspire other aspiring artists from immigrant or cross-cultural backgrounds to share their own stories. Ultimately, my research affirms that a career as a visual storyteller is more sustainable and dynamic than ever, positioning my thesis not just as a book, but as the foundation for a multi-platform artistic journey.