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Creator Highlights are featured posts where we interview comic artists and novelists within the Tapas community. National Friendship Day is on August 5 and we thought it would be fun to chat with Kai and Dahae, creators of the comic “SPLIT.”  

Please give an introduction about yourselves, your friendship, and your comic. 

Dahae: I’m Dahae and I’m the artist for SPLIT. I think I met Kai during my junior year in high school (more specifically in our pre-calculus class). It wasn’t until a very uneventful summer break that I proposed making a one-shot comic with her which transformed into the comic we have today.

Kai: I write the story for SPLIT and do other miscellaneous things for the comic from time to time. Even though we attended the same junior high and high school, the only class we ever had together was math since I’m a year ahead of her. Though technically we first met at a Comic Book Convention. I visited a booth where she was selling a one-shot comic that won a contest. I think I still have the one-shot… somewhere...

A lot of creators on our platform usually work by themselves, what made you two want to work together on a comic?

Dahae: I’ve always had trouble motivating myself to start my own web-comic and I grew up never feeling satisfied with my own work. I struggled tremendously with writing an entire story from start to finish and so it was a no-brainer for me to find someone who was equally willing and passionate enough to start a webcomic.

Kai: I’m primarily a creative writer, and I also teach English, so that’s sort of like my whole bag. Plus, I can’t draw for a hill of beans, except stick figures, I’m great at drawing stick figures, but I leave 99% of the drawing to Dahae. She messaged me one day and asked if I wanted to write a comic for her. We were just beginning college at the time and it seemed like a good side hobby (that would later consume us).

What's your favorite part about working as a team to create comics?

Dahae: It’s great not to have to do EVERYTHING on your own. Also in an artist’s point of view, it’s always fun to find out how a story would turn.

Kai: Suffering together.

Do your ideas ever clash? If so, how do you work it out?

Dahae: It happens but we tend to just talk it out, and if it still isn’t resolved, we ask a trusting unbiased third party.

Kai: We’ve never experienced any unsolvable problem. If any idea clashing happens it’s usually minor. Generally, we’re on the same page.

What skill does your friend have that you don't and wish you did?

Dahae: Kai is not afraid to try or experience new things like traveling or experimenting with new opportunities while I tend to be more timid or skeptical about change. I try to tag along on her endeavors, but I very much enjoy being a hermit.

Kai: Speak Korean. And maybe understand social media better? I’m like an old man when it comes to Facebook, Twitter and whatever else is in that category.

How would you describe each other's creative style?

Dahae: Kai is how I describe a natural writer. I’ve always known her as the storyteller because she has what seems like a never-ending knowledge about everything related to storytelling. She takes a lot of influence from books or shows she collects and she’s able to create a concoction of ideas within minutes. It’s quite surreal at times.

Kai: Dahae is a detailed worker and really understands the process of making comics. However, she is also an obsessive-compulsive perfectionist. I once watched her draw one line on a white page like 10 different times before she decided that the 11th line was the best one. Her Control Z button has been sorely abused.

What is your dream project?

Dahae: We both had an idea of opening an escape room/cafe for all nerds and fans alike because that’s what we’ve always wanted to have haha!

Kai: Comic related? I would love to write an Odyssey-like epic. It would probably take years to get off the ground though.

What is the creative process like, from beginning to end?

Dahae: Our process usually goes by writing the scripts first. Similar to a screenplay, Kai writes out all the sequences and dialogue. We would then discuss any nuances or anything else that needs to be addressed at that point of the story. Once we feel the script is ready, I would sketch out the rough storyboards. I then send the sketches over to Kai where she would reply with short notes for any clarification and such. Once we like the sketches, I would go to ink and color. The finished pages are sent back again where we usually discuss any further ideas and fixing dialogue. Once everything is finished, we publish the chapter to the site! 

Kai: Let me break that down for you. Written Summary > Script > Discuss > Storyboard > Edits > Ink > Edits > Color > Final Review > Upload. 

If you could give some advice to other creators, what would you want to tell them?

Dahae: Create what you love and what you are truly passionate about because then you won’t ever have to work a day in your life.

Kai: Take breaks, eat, sleep and drink lots of water. You may laugh at this now, but people burn out making comics all the time. Take care of yourself.  

What comics on Tapas are your favorites?

Dahae: On Tapas? I guess top three (and in no particular order) Countdown to Countdown, Sarah’s Scribbles and Fisheye Placebo.  

Kai: Jack: The American Ghost and Fisheye Placebo. I’m a big fan of haunted houses and I really love the artistic style in both.

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Thank you Kai & Dahae for taking the time to share your stories and recommendations!

This is Part 2 of a 2-Part National Friendship Day Creator Highlight. Click here for Part 1 with Red & Blue.