A New Imprint Dedicated to Korean Content
During the Yen Press Industry Panel at Sakura-Con 2022, Yen Press announced Ize Press, a new imprint dedicated to Korean content. A collaboration among Yen Press, REDICE Studio, and RIVERSE, Ize Press will establish itself as a market leader for print editions of content that has captured the imagination and dedication of readers around the world.
Ize launches in Fall 2022 with an all-star lineup of titles, starting with English-language editions of HYBE's own IP-based ‘original story' webnovels and webcomics from K-pop royalty BTS (7FATES: CHAKHO), ENHYPEN (DARK MOON), and TXT (THE STAR SEEKERS). These three titles were originally released in ten languages on WEBTOON Worldwide Service, collectively garnering over 70 million views in a single month.
Additionally, Ize will release fan-favorite webcomics Tomb Raider King, The World After the Fall, The Boxer, My Gently Raised Beast, The Remarried Empress, and Villains Are Destined to Die. See below for additional information about these launch titles.
Said Kurt Hassler, Publisher & Managing Director of Yen Press, of the new imprint: “The overwhelming rapacity that has swept the world for Korean content in recent years cannot be understated. Everything from K-pop to film and television and now webcomics and novels--there seems to be no limit to the influence Korean creators will increasingly wield with international audiences.â€
JuYoun Lee, the Deputy Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Yen Press, who is helming the initiative, remarked: “Yen has always believed in the power of Korean content, and we couldn't be more excited to get a chance to really open up the doors to put these beautiful books in the hands of English-language readers. With the launch of Ize Press, we hope to be just a small part of helping to connect these immensely talented artists with their fans.â€
7FATES: CHAKHO
Created by HYBE
With BTS
A collaboration with BTS, the dynamic story follows seven young men bound by fate. After growing up together through a series of trials and tribulations, they must become a unified group of seven to unlock their destiny. 7FATES: CHAKHO is an urban fantasy story set in the near future, inspired by the Chakhogapsa tiger hunters of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Filtered through HYBE's imagination, the story reimagines traditional Korean tiger tales and a mythological world of wild beasts.
DARK MOON
Created by HYBE
With ENHYPEN
Mixing urban fantasy and teen romance, the story follows the confrontation, confusion, and chemistry between a group of vampires, a pack of werewolves, and a mysterious girl with a secret. The tale of DARK MOON is told in the form of a series of stories, starting with DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR. Combining a heroine with incredible abilities, youthful friendships, and a powerful secret, DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR brings new levity and energy to teen romance.
THE STAR SEEKERS
Created by HYBE
With TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)
THE STAR SEEKERS follows a group of young men in a pop band who live in a world where magic is part of everyday reality. The group awakens one day to discover they possess dormant magical abilities. This fantastic tale features imaginary creatures, magic, and a fun look at the world of entertainment.
Tomb Raider King
Story by Yuns
Art by 3B2S
Original Novel by SAN.G
In the year 2025, mysterious tombs appeared all over the world, each housing an ancient relic granting supernatural abilities. The lucky few who quickly obtained these relics ruled over powerful monopolies. Others came to serve them, such as Jooheon Suh, a raider who hid in tombs to steal relics. Betrayed by his employer, Jooheon is left to die but instead finds himself transported fifteen years in the past. Armed with years of raiding experience and knowledge of what is to come in the world of relics, does Jooheon have what it takes to become the Tomb Raider King?
The World After the Fall
Adapted by S-Cynan
Art by Undead Potato
Original Novel by singNsong
A new series from the creative team behind Omniscient Reader. A tower one day appeared in the skies, standing out as a beacon of chaos and apocalypse. A heroic and powerful lot known as Walkers cleared the tower floors in order to save humanity, until the day that the Stone of Regression was discovered. Walkers could now “return†to the past, and slowly, everyone left. The brave few who remained formed Carpe Diem, a group of people who refused to abandon the world and represented humanity's last hope. But once the last Walker reached floor 100,
he no longer knew what to believe…
The Boxer
Story and Art by JH
“He doesn't have the same hunger for superiority that drives every human being.†The enigmatic Yu lives his life without joy or purpose. All aspects of the young man are a mystery to those around him…save for his superhuman athletic abilities. Yu has rhythm, grace, and power on the level of the top pound-for-pound fighters, and his potential is too much for the legendary Coach K to ignore. Taking the young prodigy under his wing, the two shock the world of boxing, fight by fight, as Coach K attempts to make Yu the greatest of all time. But what exactly compels Yu to keep entering the ring…?
My Gently Raised Beast
Adapted by Teava
Art by Yeoseulki
Original Novel by Early Flower
The orphaned Blondina lives a tough life on the streets, left only with a memento from her late mother--one that proves she is the child of the emperor of Ates. From the streets, Blondina moves into the royal palace, where she lives a lonely existence… until she befriends a brash and surly cat named Amon. Not only can Amon talk, but he also turns into a cute boy! The truth is, Amon is no mere cat but rather a member of the Divine Leopard Clan, a group of powerful demi-humans often at odds with humanity. Will the two be able to stay friends despite all the conflicts?
The Remarried Empress
Story by Alphatart
Art by Sumpul
Navier Ellie Trovi was the lifelong companion of Sovieshu, the emperor of the Eastern Empire, with whom she spent her youth discussing the empire they would build together. She was intelligent, compassionate, and courageous. She was the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire, until the day Sovieshu fell for another woman, demanding a divorce. However, it was Navier who shocked Sovieshu, his beloved mistress, and a speechless court as she coldly declared: “I accept this divorce…and request an approval of my remarriage!â€
Villains Are Destined to Die
Story and Art by SUOL
Original Novel by Gwon Gyeoeul
In Easy Mode of Daughter of the Duke Love Project!, you play as Ivonne, the duke's long-lost daughter, who quickly gains the affection of the various male characters to win the game. Very easy! In Hard Mode, you play as villainess Penelope Eckhart, the duke's fake daughter, who starts her adventure with negative affection points. Very hard…and filled with gruesome deaths?! Misunderstood and pining for love, one girl finds that she has much in common with Penelope and tries again and again to get her good ending. She is granted one more try…when she falls asleep and wakes up as Penelope herself in the hostile world of the game!
The release dates for the Ize Press launch titles will be announced on Ize Press social media in the near future. Follow Ize Press and Yen Press for upcoming news.
About Yen Press, LLC
ÂÂYen Press, LLC is a joint venture between Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group. Founded in 2006, Yen Press has quickly risen to become one of the largest and most prolific publishers of manga, manhwa, and original graphic novels in the North American marketplace and a driving force in the introduction of light novels and Japanese literature to new readers through its Yen On and Yen Audio imprints. For more information, visit www.yenpress.com.