The comic strip "Mr. Gobau", drawn by Kim Seong-hwan, has portrayed the joys and agony of the Korean people for half a century. It first appeared in a weekly magazine, "Manhwa Sinbo", in November 1950. It was later published in Dong-a Ilbo from 1955, in Chosun Ilbo from 1980 to 1992, and then in Munhwa Ilbo from October 1992 to september 2000.

Born in Gaeseong in 1932, Kim Seong-hwan debuted as a comic artist by drawing "Blockhead" for Yonhap News in 1949, while he was attending Gyeongbok High School. The artist is a pioneer in Korea who blazed the trail for comic strips on current affairs by drawing one section for his commentary on contemporary issues and four sections of a comic strip. Although his caustic political criticism and satire got him into trouble with the government authorities more than once, Mr. Gobau still remains one of the most beloved comic characters of Korea.