WEBTOON Advanced Dolbae's Secrets to Crafting Stories
How to Create the First and Final Episodes
Hello, this is Dolbae
Today, I'll share my approach
to creating the first episode
and wrapping up the final one
In webtoons, the first episode is always the hardest to make
That's because it serves as the very first introduction of your work
to readers who know absolutely nothing about it
They don't know who the protagonist is
or feel any need to invest
in their story yet
Most readers likely clicked on your work purely because
they were intrigued by the thumbnail or the title
For readers with such low interest
we have to feed them sweet interests kindly
In a way, it might feel like we're begging for their attention
That's why creators include numerous hook elements
to keep readers from dropping off
First, you can focus on making the artwork exceptionally beautiful
You could draw protagonists with highly aspirational appearances
use vibrant and striking colors
or incorporate various decorative elements to create a visually appealing experience
Second, it's a great idea to portray the protagonist
in a way that resonates
with the target audience
For example, if your target readers are high school seniors
you can vividly depict their daily lives, struggles
and moments of joy
It can immerse readers in the story
story
Third, you can focus on elements
the target audience aspires to
which is the opposite of creating relatability
While relatability allows readers to identify with the protagonist
aspiration projects an ideal version of what readers want to become
The younger the age group
the more the device of longing is used
Fourth, you can spark curiosity by presenting a powerful, impactful event
in the first episode
This could be a future event from the storyline
shown as a teaser to build anticipation
or involve exaggerated incidents and reactions
that overwhelm the audience with their scale
However, one aspect that's even more important than all of these strategies
yet often overlooked
is ensuring readers
understand the protagonist and what events will unfold
in the story
This is a fundamental prerequisite
Think of it like meeting someone important
for the first time
Regardless of the relationship
the most crucial thing in that first meeting is
properly introducing yourself
No matter how well you present yourself
it's up to the other person to decide whether
they'll want to meet you again
That's why you need to do your best
to explain who you are as clearly
and kindly as possible
In a story, when introducing the protagonist to readers, you should include
First, what's the protagonist's name?
Second, what do they look like?
What do they do?
This could be their job, social status, or current situation
What problems do they have?
How do they typically try to solve these problems?
This often reveals their personality
You need to provide readers with as much information as possible about the protagonist
Of course, there are stories where the protagonist isn't fully revealed in the first episode
In that case, at the very least, the first episode should include elements
that give readers an idea of the story, the world it's set in
and the experience they can look forward to
Keeping these in mind
let's go over the essential elements to include when crafting a first episode
First, the setting needs to be described
In other words, you need to show where the events occur
For example, if the story is set in Seoul
you can show landmarks like Namsan Tower
or other recognizable city features
Second, the story should be described in terms of its temporal setting
In which era, is it contemporary or past?
You need to specify the era
Of course, the protagonist needs to appear
Start by showing their appearance
For their first scene
it's best to show them from the front as much as possible
If necessary, include a full-body shot
showing them from head to toe.showing them from head to toe
Fourth, the protagonist's name should be introduced
Sometimes, the first episode ends
without revealing the name
but unless there's a specific reason
I believe it's better to include it
This helps readers identify the protagonist and decide
This is the character I'll empathize with moving forward
This kind of self-introduction is possible
A natural sense of attachment also comes with knowing someone's name
After all, introducing yourself by name is basic etiquette
You can reveal the name through narration
having another character call it out
showing a name tag, or other methods
You can introduce the name like this
Fifth, the state of the protagonist
So, what is the current state of the protagonist?
Are they in trouble, at peace, happy, or unhappy?
Are they living as a dependent under someone else's roof
or are they enjoying a wealthy, comfortable life?
Describing the protagonist's situation helps set the stage
which can also naturally reveal the story's world-building
The world-building should also be introduced in the first episode
For genres like fantasy or sci-fi, where world-building is a key element
briefly highlighting the unique aspects
of the story's world is essential
But don't make it too long
In the first episode, you should briefly describe
the key aspects of world-building
and move on so it doesn't get boring
Also, the first episode must include at least one unexpected event
or incident that happens to the protagonist
Without it, even if you introduce the protagonist
their name, background, circumstances, and world-building
it'll lack excitement and fail
to capture the reader's interest
Even a small incident can make a big difference
And when that incident occurs
it's crucial to show
how the protagonist reacts to it
When an incident occurs, the story shouldn't just end with the event itself
It should also show
what the incident means to the protagonist
and how they respond to it
This reaction helps readers infer the protagonist's personality
Because of this, we can see how the protagonist solves problems
Whether the protagonist is an avoidant
a person who gets angry when a problem arises
or a person who compromises with gentle words
If this is revealed even a little bit
readers can empathize with the protagonist
This is optional
but you can leave some room for readers to anticipate what might happen next
For example, at the end of the first episode
you could introduce an unexpected character
who makes a mysterious comment
or show the protagonist standing up
ready to act on a decision they’ve made
Leaving such hints
gives readers something to predict
and look forward to in the second episode
encouraging them to continue reading
It's advanced technology
However, if the story doesn’t allow for such teasers
there’s no need to stress over it
Then, just like the first episode
it’s really harder for me than the first episode
But how should I structure the last episode?
First of all, let’s applaud anyone
who’s working on their final episode
No matter the story, you’ve made it all the way to the end
I respect every creator who completes their work
because finishing a story is incredibly challenging
As an amateur creator
I didn’t complete a single project
I had countless stories for which I only drew the first episode
So, when I started serializing
San Francisco Gallery on Naver Webtoon
I constantly worried
whether I could actually finish it as a creator
After serializing weekly for several years
I eventually got closer to finishing the story
and that's how I created a final episode
From then on, I gained confidence, realizing
I'm a creator who knows how to complete a story
There's a saying that
creators' skills grow significantly when they complete a work
It means that those who've finished many stories tend to improve their skills dramatically
That's why experiencing as many completions as possible is important
and to achieve this, working on short stories can be a great way to practice
I always emphasize this advice
to aspiring webtoon creators
Create short stories and complete as many as you can
Unlike the first episode
there isn't a specific formula for creating a final episode
Some creators use a cyclical structure
revisiting themes or elements introduced in the first episode
to tie the beginning and end together
enhancing the story's completeness
Other works conclude with dialogue
that encapsulates the story's central theme
In some cases, the final episode shows all the characters reaching their happy endings
while in others, it presents a series of tragic outcomes
It all depends on the story, its themes
Shall I share the checklist I use to create a final episode?
First, reread everything from the first episode to the latest one
to ensure any unresolved plot points are addressed
If possible, bring back an event or line from the first episode
to create a cyclical structure
Use the final dialogue or scene
to highlight the story's central theme
Fourth, as if you're really parting ways with this piece
pull the camera back
So there's a way to show the background in extreme long shots
moving further away from the character
Provide a resolution for every important character
ensuring their stories are fully wrapped up
At the conclusion of the story
the protagonist must show some form of transformation compared to the first episode
This change should be depicted in the final episode
That wraps up my thoughts on creating
a strong first episode and crafting a satisfying final episode
This time, I'm going to tell you about my own method
of rushing forward when the story gets stuck
How to Break Through Writer's Block
When working on a weekly series
it's common to feel like you've hit a wall
while writing or sketching storyboards
For instance, you might struggle
to think of the next scene
or you need to move the protagonist from point A
to point B
but can't figure out a logical reason
Moments like these always happen
and I find them particularly daunting during serialization
Since you never know when a good idea will strike
it's easy to become anxious
sitting in front of the computer
The deadline is looming, it's been two days with no ideas
and my nerves are on edge
Although it doesn't happen often, there are days when I feel completely stuck
During those times, I had a method I turned to
First, I go outside
Changing your environment
and exposing yourself to new surroundings
or visual stimuli can help spark creativity
If possible, spend some time outdoors and soak up some sunlight
Suppose it's too cold
head to an indoor space like a library or art gallery
A cozy café with a nice atmosphere can also be good
Sometimes, walking outside for about an hour
is enough to spark a good idea
Second, and this is something I highly recommend
Run
Put on your running shoes and workout clothes
then head to a nearby park or river trail and jog
People often laugh when I mention this
but I'm serious
Cardio exercises like running
increase the oxygen supply to the brain
and stimulate various areas
boosting creativity
Running raises your heart rate and improves blood circulation
delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your brain
This enhances brain activity
and creates the mental space for fresh ideas
While running
your cortisol levels, the stress hormone, decrease
and endorphins, which promote positive feelings, are released
This helps calm your mind
naturally
making it easier to think creatively
If running still doesn't clear the block
my final method is to dive into research
I usually head to the library
gather books on the topic related to the part of the story I'm stuck on
and skim through them
Sometimes, the reason for the block
is simply a lack of knowledge
on the subject
So, in the shortest time possible
I try to input as much information as possible
giving my brain an emergency infusion of content
and get the keywords we need
This is often enough to break through the block and get the story moving again
And if you're still stuck after all this
it's time to move past the blocked part
Just gloss over it and move on to another part of the story
Sitting in front of the computer for two or three days
waiting for inspiration won't help
But there is no way
You simply can't afford to miss the deadline
Write through it for now, and revisit the section
closer to the final deadline
If inspiration strikes at the last minute
you can always make revisions
before submitting
However, if nothing comes to mind
even when it's time to send the work
it's better to leave that part and move forward
For a creator, serialization and meeting deadlines are the top priorities
I've shared four ways to break through writer's block
Among them, I would like to talk in more detail about
how to research and report on data
The word "fieldwork" might seem intimidating
You might wonder, "What do I say to an expert? How do I approach them?"
My story needs specific information
What should I do to get it?
These thoughts can make it seem overwhelming
but there's no need to feel that way
Fieldwork and research simply refer to
any method of gathering information for your story
Reading, listening, observing, or exploring
The first step in fieldwork is preliminary research
This is a relaxed and broad topic exploration
often starting with the internet to get a general sense of things
For example, if you need to learn about a lawyer's daily life
you can search for "a lawyer's daily life"
on a search engine
It's like skimming the surface
You can look at community comments, Q&A forums, Wikipedia, and other sources
to understand the general public's perception
of the subject you're working on
I do a lot of fieldwork myself
and during the preliminary research phase
for example, when working on 'Tale of Fairy' and needing biological knowledge
or insights into biologists, professors, and researchers
I first searched for communities
where these experts interact
Once I found such communities
I observed what they usually discuss
and what terminology they commonly use
I read their posts
taking notes or typing key points into a memo
This way, I can roughly get a glimpse of the professional knowledge
of the content I'm drawing and then go into the interview
Preliminary research often includes information
that may not be entirely accurate or professional.
That's why we follow it up with in-depth research
During preliminary research, you don't need to worry about the accuracy of the information
Think of it as observing the general atmosphere
and gathering ideas to stimulate your imagination
After completing your preliminary research
you can stop there if you feel it's sufficient
However, if you’re looking for more specialized knowledge
or want to explore the topic more deeply, you can move on to in-depth research
At this stage, your story should have a solid framework
You'll likely have a synopsis, a logline
one-line treatments for each episode
and perhaps even some dialogue
With these elements in place
in-depth research focuses on verifying the accuracy of your information
and filling in the gaps with expert knowledge
For example, if your story involves a lawyer's daily life
you would contact a real lawyer
and seek their professional advice
Bring along your materials
such as your script, synopsis, logline, character profiles, and world-building details
Take these and meet the expert
If the expert
finds your story interesting
they might help clarify the facts and provide valuable insights
to strengthen your narrative
While preliminary research is about grasping the general atmosphere
in-depth research focuses on enhancing the story’s authenticity
If the expert is busy
you can research via email instead of in-person meetings
For instance, in my webtoon
Yulri
This work has a planet like Earth
with two moons
two satellites, and a sun like this
I couldn't figure out how these two satellites orbit the planet
or things like the orbital plane
or the orbital period
So I interviewed an astronomer in the U.S.
At that time, I conducted the research via email
since I couldn't meet the expert in person
Hello, I'm a webtoon creator working on this project
The story includes these settings and characters
and I'd like to depict this situation in this particular scene
Would this setup be realistic or plausible?
I introduced myself and explained my work like this
So you can do it by email
However, I believe meeting experts for fieldwork
is the most effective
Whether you conduct the research through email or meet them face-to-face
it's essential to express your sincere gratitude
to those who take the time to assist you
Since they're dedicating their time
to speak with you
you should take the opportunity to introduce yourself and your work properly
Hello, my name is something
and I'm a creator working on this
I'm currently at a point where I truly need the advice of an expert like you
I think it's necessary to explain it like this
When conducting fieldwork
avoid shifting the focus away from their insights or criticizing their opinions
It's essential to respect the expert's knowledge and expertise
You must respect and recognize that
I am receiving help with my work
Some creators offer a small honorarium
often around 100,000 KRW
but many experts decline such payments
In those cases, I show my appreciation by gifting desserts
or sending a gift voucher online
After the main interview, you will start working on the work
So, from that point, you will start writing the manuscript
When you are writing the story, if you suddenly come across a confusing part
or a fact that you are stuck on
or find something that you need to supplement
you will do follow-up interviews
Follow-up interviews are not mandatory
but are optional whenever necessary
If this work requires accurate information
follow-up interviews will be necessary sometimes
When you do follow-up interviews
return to the expert you met earlier and say
I was the creator
I'm working hard with your help on this piece
but I'm stuck at this part
Can you give me some advice?
So, you do follow-up interviews with a similar mindset
to the main interview
and finish your work
by verifying the facts
I've talked about interviews so far
but the method of researching data is similar
First, start with the easiest information
and conduct a broad, surface-level preliminary investigation
Then, move on to more detailed research
using specialized books
As I mentioned, I begin my preliminary research
by going to the library
stacking relevant books
For in-depth research, I go to the library
and carefully read through these books
to extract the specialized knowledge I need
I take detailed notes or make photocopies
Going to the library and reading books is great
but I sometimes turn to academic papers
for more precise and factual information
While accessing research papers often involves a cost
I believe it's worth it
and frequently pay to access the needed papers
For example, when I worked on the marathon-themed webtoon
The Day After the Breakup: Running
I needed detailed information about marathons
This included how muscles work during running
what processes occur in the body
and how running has evolved throughout human history
In such cases, I searched for
and referenced various academic papers
Papers with a high citation index
are generally reliable, as they've undergone
peer review and strict verification processes
However, even these papers
shouldn't be trusted unconditionally
Some may come from
less credible institutions
and occasionally, errors in published papers
lead to retractions
That's why examining multiple papers
rather than relying on a single source
examine lots of papers
and look for cited papers
and follow-up papers
and compare them in this way to research
Research and fieldwork
are time-consuming tasks
typically done during the planning stage
not after serialization
My webtoon Yulri
is a project I've been planning for 15 years
Depending on the project, the planning phase can take
as little as three months or, in my case, as long as 15 years
Of course, I didn't spend all 15 years working exclusively
I worked on other serializations
and had a separate career while continuing to develop
The planning stage is a time-intensive process
and most of the research and fieldwork takes place
At this point, you gather as much information as possible
When serialization begins
you refer to the materials
you’ve already compiled
Of course, there might be moments during the drafting process
where you hit a block
and need to conduct follow-up research
But typically, you'll rely on the resources
you've already gathered
We all face the pressing reality
of deadlines and time constraints
Since time is limited, I hope you do
as much research and coverage as possible
during the planning stage and accumulate
relevant expert knowledge
before starting the series
Today, I discussed how to
structure a strong first episode
and how to effectively wrap up the final episode
I also shared tips on how to push through when you hit a creative block
The first episode is undeniably challenging
but I find the final episode
even more difficult than the first episode
The first episode can feel exciting and full of hope
like sprinting forward with enthusiasm
But with the final episode, you face the immense responsibility of
tying up all the loose ends you’ve created
In those moments, I rely on a checklist
checking off tasks like, "Did I include this?"
and also the last episode
I tend to make a checklist like this
So I hope you all can finish
the first and last episode
Also, when I get stuck on the story
I have methods
I run again
to get my heart rate up
and find a creative way to break through the story
If that doesn't work, I just give up
and move on to the manuscript
and then I come back
right before the final revision
That's what I said
I also shared my methods
for conducting research and fieldwork
which I find incredibly enjoyable tasks
These steps allow you to approach your work
with excitement, anticipation
and a sense of discovery
I love this part of the process
and try to gather as much information as possible
As long as time permits
I recommend allocating plenty of time during the planning phase
to meet with various people and experts
and explore as much as possible online
This way, when you start your serialization
you'll have a wealth of resources to rely on
giving you confidence and support
as you move forward
I hope you'll give them a try
and maintain a healthy, fulfilling work routine
This was Dolbae
Thank you
Aiming elements that target readers admire Presenting a strong incident from the first episode to arouse curiosity Essential elements for composing a story Description of the spatial background Description of the temporal background Appearance of the main character
Target readers' desired elements Presenting a strong incident from the first episode to arouse curiosity Essential elements when composing the first episode Description of the spatial background Description of the temporal background Appearance of the main character
The main character's name The main character's situation Description of the world view Unexpected events that befell the main character The main character's reaction to unexpected events Ability to predict the next episode
Interview Methods Laboratory Interview: Get a general feel for the material by searching the Internet at ease Main Interview: When the story has a certain framework
Interview Methods Preliminary Interview: Get a general feel for the material by searching the Internet at ease Main Interview: When the story has a certain framework
The work of extracting the exact facts from the information I have Follow-up reporting: Reporting to supplement the parts that were lacking in the main reporting while working on the manuscript
Research Methods A larval research that starts with the easiest information A full-scale research that learns related knowledge through specialized books