the truth about making webtoons: why i haven't posted an episode in a year

hello my friends it's nina :') here is my truth about making webtoons and why i haven't posted an episode in almost a year.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS..... A NEW EPISODE of my webtoon To Love and Be Loved is OUT!!! and more episodes are coming :D thank you for your patience and love while i've been trying to get myself together again. i'm excited to bring more fun content to you WOOOO

my webtoon is my baby so even if there are bumps in the road, i love being a webtoon creator at the end of the day and i love my webtoon and characters and i can't wait for more of the story to unfold

my next video will be the first of my summer in korea vlog series as i was in korea for 2 months this summer! stay tuned for those :)

and more webtoon related content and other fun content are coming as well, LOOK FORWARD TO ALL OF IT!

thank you for watching and being here and i will see you in my next video!!!

LOVE, NEEN.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

CAPTION TRANSLATIONS
➤ you can contribute caption translations for this video here: (coming soon!)

READ MY WEBTOON HERE

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☆ webtoon: SOMIYU
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this video is not sponsored!

[cattmono]

Nina, your health should always be your top #1 priority. So of course we understand why you haven't updated your webtoon! We are always were to support you, good or bad moments. Much love 💛

[hanacue]

Nina!! I love your content, it's my favorite blend of lifestyle and art!! You brought up so many great points, thank you for all your hard work and transparency!!

I completely understand the struggles with physical injury and hand/arm problems. I wanted you to know that all of us want you to be healthy and do what you love for as long as possible. I came across your channel when you started sharing all your wonderful processes with webtoon making. It is so incredible that you were working on it for 10 hours a day!!! That is such an intensive process, but you put so much love into it on TOP of making content for us!! Like girl, you have FED us! I can't speak for everyone, but at least for me, having your content on while doing very sedentary work (as you've mentioned) made things a little bit less lonely. Being an artist in our current landscape is so uniquely challenging, and I have so much respect for you. That being said, I'm very glad you are feeling better! Please continue to take lots of breaks between your works! I remember drawing on display tablets, and that stress on the wrist/arm is no joke.

P.S. I love your nails!! The clacking sounds they made were so nice hehe

[_vaish.nxvi_]

you're so strong neen and i am so grateful and even proud that you took time to address this, , , it is a common issue but it can be overlooked which is just sad :( as an rookie artist myself, the physical pain and your body giving up is something i relate with as well and it is SO hard to constantly deal with it 😭 everyone reading this, please give lots of love and support to your fav artists and friends 🫶 it truly means the world to them 💕

[Miyankochan]

Some years ago I burned myself out on insta as an artist because of hustle culture. It was all about quantity and productivity in order to stay relevant. I realised that art turned into content and I stopped drawing for a year altogether... slowly I am returning to draw just as a hobby. It feels much better now, having left the art ratrace. However, no money like this anymore.

[nishh]

just got the webtoon notification! so glad it’s back :)

[MintyMido]

Glad your arm is feeling better, thats so scary!! Definitely take care of yourself first :) Im not a webtoon creator yet myself so I dont have any advice to offer (aside from doing wrist & hand stretches regularly!) but I hope you can find a community of fellow webtoon creators & artists that can help you out when you need it; feeling alone in your pain can make it feel even worse :( I hope someday that decent income will be a more accessible feature for webtoon artists - it is soooo much work!! And Im glad youre continuing your webtoon regardless and following your passion for your story, I wish you the best of luck Nina!

[Dreema]

This is just the advice I needed to hear. All the doubts I ever thought about, that made me hesitant to start my webtoon, you explained the cons perfectly well. It's very unfortunate that there isn't a platform for passionate artists to be fairly compensated for the time they put into their work. I'm sorry it compromised your health as well as drained your energy, but I'm happy you found an outlet that works best for you, and I pray for your well being in all aspects of your life, especially financially. Thank you for sharing your experience and much love and well wishes for you, Nina :)

[marianaribeiro]

I also have cubital canal syndrome and I felt the worst with pain and with almost no arm strength a few months before THE medical exam that you do to become a doctor in Portugal. It was horrible physically but even worse mentally, thinking of everything I would have to give up if it didnt got better… but I did! My grade wasnt the best but I got throught it. Every now and then it comes Back but now I know what to do. I hope everything works out for you too and to find what works best for you in terms of how you work and the hours you work. Nothing is more important than being healthy, I see it every day .. All the love!

[J_artz_]

Im honestly okay with waiting for an episode for the webtoon. Even with videos. As an artist, I understand the pain in the arms and pains that come with being an artist. Currently have pain in my left wrist (im dealing with it. Yes ive gone to the doctors. They didn't help)

You're one of my favorite creators, and you're one of my role models when it came to art as well. I'd rather have you not post for a year if it meant that you can be healthy and safe. Im always praying for you, Miss Nina. Much love from me, Miss Nina.


Besides as I wait for you to feel better or when you do post, I can reread your comic over and over (I love it) and i can watch your videos over and over (I also love it)

Be safe and be careful. Ima go finish the video now.

[lou]

Hi Nina, don't know if you'll ever see this but your youtube inspired me to continue my webtoon or even create a new version of it (since my art style changed). Just like you, I had to deal with numbness in my arm when I was in college way back 2018 and I had to stop publishing since then. It was hard letting go something that you love and I begin to question my decision. I love creating art and when I saw the process in making a webtoon through your youtube I began to remember the times when I created one too - It was exhausting but rewarding when readers get to enjoy what you love as well.

So, it's okay if you needed to take some rest may it be a few months or a year. In time we know that you'll continue your art when you're in good health, take care always Nina!

[Kathiisu]

Drawing for 10 hours a day definitely seems like a recipe for many physical issues :( I am sorry you experienced that, it's so scary losing your autonomy and capability with your dominant arm!! Please take good care of your health Nina, we are always here for you! 💖Also side note I love your pink hoodie where did you get it? 👀

[kakestudios]

Thank you for sharing❤ I honestly was inspired by you to start sharing my comic ideas online- not necessarily on Webtoons, though, since I still couldn't figure that format out😅 It is okay to take breaks❤ I also love watching your YouTube videos!

[Mithical_C]

Thank you Nina! For sharing this!! I hope you still enjoy the creating of a webtoon and that you can keep on doing so for yourself!! :D

[dorili_art]

creators deserve so much more!! it's one of my dreams to create a webtoon/comic, so I tried making a practice scene of my story but it's so difficult🥲 creators have my respect, I now try to stop and appreciate each panel more💗

[bsp]

as an artist who has reoccurring carpal tunnel syndrome, i feel you! please take care of your body! just know most webtoon artists, especially professional under contract, create episodes far in advance and most likely have a team to produce it. if you're working alone and only take it as a hobby, please don't worry about upload speed and prioritize your health first and foremost. as your fan, i really don't care if you haven't updated in years if that meant you were prioritizing your health. keep it easy while it's still fun and where drawing won't feel like a job instead of a hobby. this will also help with burnout. all love to you, nina <3!

also any aspiring webtoon artists that want to be published professionally, the industry is incredibly toxic and underpaying for the amount of work that needs to be done...! please be wary 😶

[starkjr.]

5:00 As the oldest sister among my siblings, this is such oldest sister behaviour I get you so bad😭😭💔💔Nina please know that there are always people to talk to, even if they don't have an immediate solution, believe me just talking makes it easier for YOU to deal with anything later.I know it's a process so please take it easy on yourself and TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF (not shouting just aggressivly supporting)💕💕

[breneworld]

As someone who does sedentary office computer work and has had injuries similar to yours, the most helpful actions I took were going to a chiropractor/ physical therapist at least every 3-4 months, getting a more ergonomic desk and chair, and doing stretching exercises such as yoga. I had a lot of back problems from sitting in my desk hunched over for hours. I am now mindful to take breaks every 35 - 45 minutes because we humans were not meant to sit around hunched for hours 😅

[girleynecosta]

i've been following your work for a few years and i was very happy when you released your webtoon, and all your effort is very inspiring i also work as a digital artist and sometimes we need to understand the limit of our body and also in the psychological issue, i hope you get better and stay well. ❤💜

[troyzworld]

Thank you for sharing your brutally honest experience, as a fellow Webtoons creator it hit home <3 I am only able to work on mine full time because I live with my parents, and I am a paid creator. I love your webtoon videos Nina ^^ I hope you can continue your comic even if it is very slowly!

[Kamiink]

I can definitely relate. I started my webcomic when I was unemployed and just haven't been able to get back to working on it. It was only about 35 pages worth, but it still took me weeks to complete 😅But I always told myself it was a project I would only work on if/when it was fun, so I know that I'll return to it when the time's right.
I'm glad to hear that you've found the time and energy to resume yours!