Bong-gun Jang's Memoir: My Newspaper Career 8

During my fourth year, I received a phone call from Gobaroo Kim Sung-hwan, a renowned cartoonist. At the time, he was working at Munhwa Ilbo, and he proposed that I do a test run of political cartoons for three months, and if all went well, he would hire me as a full-time cartoonist.

I was pleased because I had always wanted to draw political cartoons daily. I told Hankyoreh that even if I were hired after the three months, I would decline and continue working there, and I received their permission to take the test. Since I was a freelancer anyway, and my memory is hazy, I probably worked on Hankyoreh illustrations during the test period as well.

However, a complication arose. Park Jae-dong stepped down as a cartoonist, and Hankyoreh opened a recruitment for his successor. I also applied, and I heard that "many people were in favor of going with Bong-gun Jang," but the result was different.

I indicated my intention to return as a freelance illustrator, but even that was rejected. I felt betrayed. Indeed, a freelancer's life was precarious. If Munhwa Ilbo did not hire me, I would be left in limbo.

After the test period ended, Munhwa Ilbo hired me. What could I do? I had a child and needed to make a living, so I steeled myself and began working at Munhwa Ilbo. I never imagined I would be drawing political cartoons at a conservative newspaper. My heart felt devastated.