Payback is a complete novel written by Samk. It has a physical copy published in 2010 for the 3 main volumes and in 2015 for the side story titled Paid Payback.
It has been adapted into an ongoing manhwa written by Samk and illustrated by Fujoking. Released in 2021, it has been serialized by Bomtoon. The chapters were serialized every 1st, 11th, and 21st of each month. An English translation was released on Lezhin Comics US in December 2021.
Four Korean Drama CD's covering volumes one through four were released between 2021-2022.
Synopsis[]
Manhwa[]
While other students were preparing to take their CSAT exams, Lee Yoohan was swept up in an exhilarating lifestyle of crime and debauchery. While working for a loan shark, karma catches up to him when a family member dies from an act of revenge against him. After years of repenting for his sins and trying to turn over a new leaf, he meets a man in the entertainment industry who gives him the opportunity to get his revenge…
Novel[]
Lee Yoohan who lived a tiring life of a debt collector, decides to become a celebrity to get revenge on a former lover. He meets a man named Yoon Jay who tells him that he’ll help him. Little did he know that Jay is a shareholder and well-known figure at one of the top entertainment agencies, and they share a strange past with each other.
Characters[]
Lee Yoohan[]
Deciding he did not need Jay, he delivers a package but learns Park's identity from his name tag before yielding the parcel. Unable to join a colleague for a get-together later Yoohan says he already has plans. Thinking about it, Yoohan did work part time in a karaoke bar before, he has always thought that place had a funny name. In the past Yoohan had his hair dyed blond and had ear piercings. Thinking he only cared about himself, with others Yoohan thought he looked cool as he continued to act as their boss. Asking how he could use a balisong[1] Yoohan feared nothing in this world and felt as if he could do whatever he wanted. When one summer came Yoohan's view of this world changed. With his younger brother having arrived Yoohan asked what he wanted him to do at hearing their mom was sick. Thinking how it was annoying Yoohan questioned how much it was. Intending to meet him later in the afternoon Yoohan was going to collect some money today but could only give half of it. Thinking it was ridiculous Yoohan wondered how a middle schooler could repay that amount of money, and maybe it was just easier for his mother to just ignore him. Resorting to holding a knife near a child and demanding the family's monthly contract of their house Yoohan spent two years in the loan business when he was 19. Working as a debt collector Yoohan noted how most people who could not pay their debts usually had nowhere to go due to poverty. Told he would be punished Yoohan answered if that were true all the bad people in this world would have already died, and he only cared about the money. Thinking his day was ruined because of that Yoohan handed the money to his brother before seeing him stabbed. When Yoohan lived together with Myeongshin he thought he was his lover. Hearing that Myeongshin told the knife wielder the identity of his brother Yoohan re-evaluates his turn over a new leaf philosophy as anger washes over.
Yoon Jay[]
Mentioning revenge and is that not why Yoohan is trying to be a celebrity, Jay said he could be his sponsor. The director of Dream Entertainment, Jay snatches away the package from Park and remarks it is a karaoke bar, it is called Jihwaja. While his voice was a soft, low-pitched tone, a pleasant one, the words that flowed out contradicted this. Letting Yoohan in on a secret, it is that he does not make jokes.
Song Myeongshin[]
He uses the name Song Yoohan, Myeongshin took Yoohan's money and fled after his younger brother passed away. When he lived with Yoohan he told him the company he was involved in was a scam. After becoming a celebrity his image changed too. In a car park Myeongshin discusses a role and questions is director Yoon looking for someone in Korea. Laughing that he is looking for someone he saw five years ago, Myeongshin raises is it possible that it is love at first sight. Gasping that Hwaja stole Yoon's money Myeongshin questioned whether he planned on dying. Stating that he is not afraid, Myeongshin speaks that he was living with a thug five years ago and he might have been killed if he acted like a coward. Myeongshin mentions how someone crazy came to their house with a knife and asked if he knew where the thug was. Saying he almost fainted Myeongshin thought he would be kidnapped and held hostage. Telling the aggressor that even if he were killed Yoohan would not care, Myeongshin panicked and pointed out Yoohan's brother nearby.
Sung-ki Park[]
The planning department head, Park starts, and ends his day at Dream Entertainment. As the chief, Park answers he has not had lunch yet and is just picking up a package for director Yoon. Wondering how important it is that Jay had to wait around for it since this morning, when Park sees the flyers he observes the opening was five years ago.
Yoohan's Colleague[]
Praising Yoohan for working hard today he adds he saved a great deal of trouble thanks to him and there should be quite a number of supplies here. Revealing that they are having a small get-together later he asks if Yoohan wants to come. They are having karaoke so if Yoohan is up for it he can catch up.
Yoohan's Brother[]
When he came to look for his older brother Yoohan he said that mom was sick. Needing money, he added they need to pay for her hospital bills. With 4.2 million Won required he asked whether Yoohan could give it to him, he promises he will return it to him. Seeing his brother, he asked what took so long before being assaulted and losing his life by a man familiar with Yoohan.
Yoohan's mother[]
Not having a husband, she took care of her sons Yoohan and his brother, but she gave up on Yoohan after he dropped out of school.
Choi[]
Addressed as President Choi he is Myeongshin's manager. Seeing Yoohan without his hat on Choi considers him way finer than he thought. Of course, it would be unfair to evaluate only with looks, but Choi would be lying if he said looks are unimportant.
Cha Joong-woo[]
Story[]
The turning of a new leaf has ended. Anger covered the sound of laughter and Lee Yoohan and Yoon Jay will only have one another from now on. Yoohan decided he did not need Yoon Jay. But soon finds out how wrong he was. Still not knowing about their shared past, Yoohan agrees to have Yoon Jay as a sponsor.
Prologue:
At the Dream Entertainment company, they are considered the pioneer in the film entertainment industry that continues the global Korean wave in Korean dramas, movies and more. Chief Park is picking up a package for director Yoon yet the delivery person, Yoohan, is hesitant to give it to him. Yoohan grabs Park's name badge so he can put down who he delivered the package to. With Park delivering it to Jay it is opened to reveal flyers for Janggu[2] classes. Outside Yoohan is praised for working hard today by a colleague yet departs having plans.[3]
Chapter 1:
Turning over a new leaf is a great idiom; it is better for one to let go of their bad habits and become a better person. But of course, it is even better when there is nothing wrong for you to change. Unfortunately, that did not apply to Yoohan and in a past scenario he joined others in viewing a balisong. With those gathered surprised at his hair and asking if he could use it Yoohan acted as the gang's boss. One summer Yoohan's brother arrived and said their mom was sick. 4.2 million Won was needed and working as a debt collector Yoohan gathered half the money to give to him. Finding his brother, outside his home waiting for him. He tells his brother that he has half of it and he will get the rest to him later. The brother looks up surprised that a guy with a knife is coming at them. Yoohan witnesses his brother being stabbed right in front of him and the killer tells him that Karamas catching up to him.
Presently, Yoohan asks a man near him who Song Yoohan is. Heading down to basement 2, Yoohan ignores his questions and thinks how Song Myeongshin has changed a lot. Myeongshin took Yoohan's money after his brother passed away five years ago when they lived together for a time as lovers. In an underground car park Yoohan hears a conversation Myeongshin is a part of, that the director is looking for Ji Hwaja. As he listens, Yoohan also learns Myeongshin told a person holding a knife about Yoohan's brother being outside and be if he wanted to hurt Yoohan then going after his brother would be better.[4] After showing a picture of Yoohan with his brother to the guy with the knife, the guy leaves to go look for the brother.
Images[]
References[]
Wiki Link[]
- An overview article on the entire series Create the Payback Wiki! for total coverage details!