This work is set in a fictional dystopian Korea.
Is that disclaimer scrolling across the screen right now?
Otherwise, I couldn't wrap my head around this bullshit situation crashing down on me.
Is this country for real?
⚙ SUMMONS NOTICE ⚙To: Kim Siwoo You are requested to appear before the Cyber Investigation Team on October 1, 2021, at 15:00 as a reference in a suspect case for violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse (production and distribution of obscene materials, etc.).
Some psycho stalker kept harassing me, so I told him to fuck off, and in revenge, the bastard tracked me down and reported me.
He dug through the emails on the sites where I was active and found one registered under a Korean name. Got me there.
A Korean like me, drawing and distributing art of characters in school uniforms. That was the charge.
All I wanted to do was draw the pictures and comics that inspired me, but this shithole country wasn't helping one bit.
The characters in my drawings wore school uniforms, and they were losing their goddamn minds over it. It was so absurd it almost brought tears to my eyes.
"Ha..."
If I'd known it'd come to this, I would've left the country ages ago.
I barely ever left the house anyway, holed up in my room sketching nonstop. What the hell was so great about this place that I stuck around?
But more than that, why the fuck did I list a Korean email there?
A flood of regrets swirled in my head.
Not even in the early days when no one gave a shit about my illustrations or comics.
Not when freelance gigs kept getting scrapped over and over.
Not even when I caved to the money and churned out nothing but furry art.
I'd never felt this gutted. Everything I'd built up was crumbling, leaving me hollow.
Even in a mess like this, humans crave connection—or maybe just some reassurance.
My fingers naturally tapped my smartphone, checking public opinion.
I knew there wouldn't be much new, but...
💬 Comments— [Current Siwoo Situation Summary.txt]That stalker dude who kept hitting on Siwoo even though he said he wasn't into guys dug through all his emails, pinned him as Korean, and reported him under the child porn law lol He's been indicted like in those memes now.— AnonFuck his mom, can't have him so smash him to bits— AnonLmao kekeke— AnonThat guy's real name is actually Siwoo lmaoooo— AnonHonestly Siwoo's art doesn't do it for me— AnonIf Siwoo's stuff isn't hot, what the hell is?— Anonhttps://www.awxz.com/artworks/566016— AnonFuck you, you piece of shit, for real— AnonHow does trash like that even find its way here?— AnonThanks to the vanguard squad, we're saved lmao kek
"Everyone knows the full story already."
Maybe because I'd told my acquaintances, or that asshole who stabbed me in the back was bragging.
The incident was already public knowledge.
Public opinion was on my side, at least. I'd thought everyone hated me after that furry phase.
— [Hit up if Siwoo the gay artist who raked in fat Patreon bucks is fucked lol]I loved you, you bitch— AnonLmaooooooooo can't send more now?— AnonAw— AnonThese near-pedo fucks are flipping out— AnonQuit bitching and recommend one hot artist— AnonHey porn artist dude got fucked, milk it hard retard lmao
I checked thinking there might be some bad press, but nope. Weirdly reassuring.
Even with my life getting fucked by child porn charges, what my fans thought about my art mattered more.
Guess I was born to be a comic artist and illustrator.
— [Haven't read Siwoo's comics so no big loss tbh]But think they'll actually jail Siwoo the gay for loli shit? Dude's paranoid af, puts "all characters are adults" on every work lmao— AnonHow tf do you know if you haven't seen it?— AnonKorea doesn't give a fuck about that gay lol— AnonIf the judge thinks they look young, boom child porn law. If the judge thinks they look young, boom child porn law. Repeat.— AnonThinks this is America? Lol— AnonAlready precedent for real jail time ^^
The child porn law? I'd been careful, so acquittal wasn't impossible.
But I'd shared uncensored originals with patrons for too long. Obscene material distribution was a lock.
After a guilty verdict, my current life was over.
"What the hell is this now?"
📰 PetitionWe demand severe punishment for creators profiting off juvenile obscene materials. Drawing comics and illustrations of juveniles in school uniforms engaging in lewd acts, even distributing them on overseas sites for profit...
It was on the Cheongwadae national petition board. Absolutely mind-blowing.
What the fuck did I do to this reporter to make him hell-bent on ruining my life?
His mindset was beyond comprehension.
I was so baffled I submitted a detailed rebuttal to the petition.
Soon, a notification popped up that it had been edited. I checked.
But clicking it didn't lead to the petition board. Some weird message window instead.
[No such thing, gay lololol]
A smug grinning frog emoticon greeted me, taunting. Infuriating.
More pissed than freaked by the sudden computer glitch.
What the fuck is this guy playing at?
[The Korea you chose lololol The Confucian state you chose lololol]
"What the fuck, you bastard?"
[No matter what!!] [NEVER!!!!]
The text changed, and so did the emoticons. Ridiculous attention to detail.
I tried closing the program in frustration, but it wouldn't shut down. Not even the computer.
What now?
[Lewd comics will never be legal in this world lololol] [lolololololololololololololololololololololololololol]
"Cut the crap. When did I choose this shithole? I'm fucking leaving this country."
Has this goddamn country ever done a damn thing for my life?
Fuck, I wanted to live somewhere sane that didn't spout 2D rights bullshit.
[lol then gtfo retard]
The moment that message appeared.
A searing pain exploded from my heart. I couldn't breathe.
I collapsed from my chair.