Slavoj Žižek, Co-Director, Birkbeck Schoolof Law, London University
After I learned from Hanna Jung that mytheoretical ruminations served as an inspiration for her comics, I avidly wentthrough her collection TOO MANY THOUGHTS. My immediate reaction was a true epiphany.The chapters (told in the form of comics) cover numerous topics from everydaylives to global social problems, from life style habits to conservatism, as Ido in my writings. But while I use such examples in order to read them assymptoms of general social trends or even of philosophical categories, HannaJung achieves the same without dense and incomprehensible mess of a theoreticalexploration – numerous details in her comics (like delicate discordance betweenwords in a dialogue and the image) unsettle the reader and make him/her awareof a much deeper dimension, sometimes even of a metaphysical deadlock. Throughsuch moments of sudden awareness, ordinary readers are thrown out of theireveryday numbness.
Why is this so important? Because we live in an era in whichthe awareness of a global crisis, of multiple threats to our very survival,compels all of us to become philosophers – to make decisions which cannot begrounded in traditional wisdom. The large majority of people cannot readphilosophical treatises, so they urgently need a medium accessible to them inorder to rally begin to think.
And here I see the unique accomplishment ofHanna Jung: she made images in comics a medium of thinking. Only through peoplelike her, not through philosophers or political agitators, is there a chancefor a global political awakening that is today a condition of our verysurvival.
About the cartoon
"Too many thoughts."
This comic is based on my thoughts and experiences as a Korean encountering cultural differences and shocks after moving to Italy. While living in Hong Kong—a city where many cultures coexist—I had countless new experiences and learned a great deal. However, my time in Italy, the heart of European civilization, was entirely different. The unfamiliarity was at times overwhelming, yet deeply fascinating, and I felt these moments were worth documenting. That’s what inspired me to start drawing comics.
Before I worked as an illustrator and cartoonist, I earned my degree in comic art. So I initially wrote these in Korean and later translated them into English for my husband. At his suggestion, I posted a few episodes online, and they were well-received. Encouraged by this response, explored opportunities for serialization, but since my comics were personal short stories rather than long narratives, I didn’t receive much interest. This was after I took a long break to focus on motherhood.
This led me to explore new artistic approaches. Lately, I’ve been drawn to painting, which allows a single image to convey deep and complex meanings as a tangible presence in space. Influenced by Italy’s rich history, culture, and art, I’ve expanded my work to include painting and contemporary art.
One of the greatest strengths of comics is their accessibility across all ages and social classes. By combining simple images with text, they offer a powerful way to communicate complex ideas while expanding the range of storytelling. Unlike paintings or films, comics uniquely capture the passage of time and narrative flow through sequential imagery. Though they convey a large amount of information, they remain a one-dimensional medium, allowing for independent creation. This is why I continue to draw comics.
From a Western perspective, stories about Asians have long been familiar and widely shared. But what about European culture from an Asian perspective? What aspects stand out as unique? Every individual grows up in a different
cultural environment, shaped by their own experiences and values. Because of Europe’s historical influence, much of modern society operates within frameworks established by European traditions. While people worldwide have long adapted to these influences, I believe it’s important to reflect on how these narratives were received and integrated from an Eastern perspective.
Through my comics, which are rooted in my daily life experiences, I hope we can share a fresh perspective on cultural diversity with people from all walks of life. My goal is to foster curiosity and appreciation for cultures beyond our own, encouraging mutual understanding over exclusion and discrimination, and ultimately building empathy.
Once again, I would like to thank the readers for their interest in my comics. I will continue to draw in a fun and enjoyable way, so I hope you will read them diligently.
You can check of few episodes to read here.
Instagram @2manythoughts_han
Postype https://novhanna.postype.com
Postype links can also check Korean and previous versions of Too Many Thoughts.
Thank you for giving attention to my cartoon.
Leave me a message about my cartoon
For commission : teateatea1919@yahoo.com
ENGLISH/한국어/Italiano/中文 language available
Italy : (+39)391506991