Backlight is an ongoing manhwa with chapters across one season. It is written and illustrated by Gangddo. First released in 2023, it has been published by Lezhin Comics Webtoon. There was a hiatus until February 27, 2024.
Synopsis[]
A life in the spotlight is a dream for many... but it's behind the scenes where the real drama takes place. Baek Yeongwoon plays manager for Seo Hae-yool, an up-and-coming actor at All One Pictures with a secret: his success is fuelled by an industry "sponsor" who loves more than just his talent. So when a love affair between the young star and a mysterious figure threatens the livelihood of their company, it is up to Yeongwoon to track his client down and put an end to their risky romp. But the truth may be too much for him to bear, as the other party turns out to be top model—and Yeongwoon's first love—Han Seo-in. As Yeongwoon struggles to reconcile his unresolved feelings for Seo-in with his sense of duty toward his work, the two fall into a intricate web woven of unanswered questions and lingering emotions that changes the trajectory of their lives forever...
Characters[]
Baek Yeongwoon[]
Evidently Yeongwoon is seen as dependable as he is requested to help with building a dog kennel, and also relied on for discrete matters involving Hae-yool who he manages. While assuring Hae-yool that he only discussed his schedule, in actuality he has been tasked to find out who he has been meeting, without him finding out. Privacy is a concern for Yeongwoon and he really does not want to do this. Finding hotel rooms and times on a phone Hae-yool uses, Yeongwoon understands the situation. Having thought he had gotten over a similar experience from school, Yeongwoon is shocked to observe Hae-yool kiss Seo-in. He thinks how back in his foolish adolescence, he did not know how to compromise with reality.
Character Article: Baek Yeongwoon[]
Seo Hae-yool[]
Concerned for Yeongwoon having heard he got dragged into the office, Hae-yool says for him to go relax at a cafe if he gets bored while his film scenes are underway. Wearing a disguise of a hat and face mask along with a coat, Hae-yool makes secret visits to Seo-in who he is fond of. Informed by security that Yeongwoon was the one who observed them, Hae-yool assures Seo-in that he can take care of this but they should lay low for the time being. Behaving as his pleasant kind self, Hae-yool raises the matter by mentioning to Yeongwoon that it must have been quite a shock at what he saw at the hotel.
Han Seo-in[]
The man that Hae-yool has been meeting. Where Yeongwoon has seen him before, Seo-in has changed his appearance primarily by dying his hair blond, yet remains recognizable. In Middle School he had to be mentored by Yeongwoon since his grades were slipping. At that time he was a model with many social media followers, and Seo-in's family was said to be loaded as well. Approaching Yeongwoon, he had taken an interest in his Judo. Continuing to be a top model by the present day, Seo-in continues his work overseas from runways to brand campaigns. Learning that Yeongwoon saw him, Seo-in contacts him and requests that he be his manager.
Cafe Manager[]
Helping to run a cafe, she has heard of Seo-in and wonders if Yeongwoon has ever met him.
Kang[]
He calls Yeongwoon regarding a shoot and says to stop by the office without telling Hae-yool. Rather than Hae-yool's privacy, Kang is more concerned that one of their company's pillars is about to collapse.
Park[]
Director Park is involved with the drama production that Hae-yool stars in.
Sunghwa[]
Kim Jinsol[]
With Hae-yool, she stars in the popular drama "Us Back Then".
Yeongwoon's Father[]
Running a Judo Dojo it is likely he had a hand in Yeongwoon becoming very proficient at the sport in his early years. In observing a match he shouted at Yeongwoon to use the right move for the situation, though with profanity added. At some point he was angered at Yeongwoon and could not believe he had a useless son.
Yoonseok[]
In Middle School he was friends with Yeongwoon and has remained so. In school he wondered what the teacher was thinking in having Yeongwoon as a mentor while he was in his last year. Remarking how Yeongwoon was a pushover, he framed it as him getting roped into doing something again. Aware of Seo-in, he was not impressed that Hyungji liked him. Having heard some bad things about Seo-in, he stated he was looking out for Yeongwoon. Having been shovelling snow with the troops in the mountains as he puts it, Yoonseok is surprised to hear from Yeongwoon the news on Seo-in as he takes a break from service.
Hyunji[]
A girl who had Seo-in as her first love in Middle School.
Woohyun[]
Han Wonsik[]
The president of All One Pictures and Seo-in's cousin. He turns up to a group session where Seo-in is with other men to berate him for a news scandal that has broken out. Furious, he has concluded that Seo-in met up with Hae-yool on purpose to compromise him.
Story[]
As it rains, Baek Yeongwoon considers how every cloud has a silver lining. In another scenario, Yeongwoon speaks with the mangers of a cafe where Seo-in's name comes up. After Yeongwoon receives a call from Kang he heads to wake up Hae-yool. Reaching the film set, Yeongwoon was told by Kang to not let Hae-yool find out a matter. Hae-yool's other involvement was discussed, and that he has been secretly meeting up with someone else. Yeongwoon is tasked with finding out who Hae-yool has been meeting up with, before his sponsor finds out.
After Hae-yool is called for filming, Yeongwoon finds he has an unknown phone in his pocket. Recalling that Hae-yool may be using a second phone to contact his secret rendezvous, Yeongwoon was to look into that too. It is 13:25, Friday, November 25th, where Yeongwoon also sees that there are messages from September 7th with hotel rooms on the phone Hae-yool uses.
By night time, Yeongwoon has tailed Hae-yool out to a secluded hotel. Although he does not like this method, Yeongwoon's interest has been piqued by the messages. Noting it is the same text, Yeongwoon wonders would they not have more personal conversations if they were lovers. Resolving to follow him, Yeongwoon thinks how a part of him still hopes this is all a big misunderstanding.
Seeing it is room 702, Yeongwoon takes the stairs and continues monitoring Hae-yool. Recognizing Han Seo-in who answers the door, Yeongwoon observes Hae-yool kiss him. Yeongwoon recollects a time at school when he saw two people kissing, and it is the same here where he walks away in shock. Guessing he has not changed, Yeongwoon considers he still has not escaped from then.[1]
Images[]
References[]
- ↑ Chapter 1
Wiki Link[]
- An overview article on the entire series, Create the Backlight Wiki! for total coverage details!