The fifth story.
Buttermilk Pancakes | Author's Note

“I think I was lonely because I thought I would be locked up alone someday.
Long ago, in an empty house, with the setting sun behind me
From the time I sat there blankly and spent time alone.

We met in this vast ocean where we didn't even know the direction.
you.
“My first island! My first love!”
Buttermilk Pancakes


◆ A heartwarming farewell drama about those who are sending off a loved one, complete.
『Yeonokdang, the Funeral Cake Shop』, which solidifies the author's unique worldview by incorporating fantasy into various subjects such as death, soul, purgatory, and cake.
The deceased who receives a cake made in the Purgatory Hall must eat the cake for 49 days and endure the cold heart of the Purgatory Plains before they can reach the gate of reincarnation.
This graphic novel tells the story of people who order funeral cakes with the hope that their loved ones will not tire from the long journey, will not be in pain or suffering, and, if possible, will be able to meet in the next life.

A funeral cake is a final gift sent to the deceased, comforting the loss of the living and expressing longing and condolences.
The owner of Purgatory Hall, 'Margo', and her assistant, the ghost messenger 'Miro', listen to the story of the person who requested the cake and create a one-of-a-kind cake.
Their sincerity and kindness are evident in the process of deciding what kind of cake to make, preparing the ingredients, and completing the cake.


『Funeral Cake Shop Yeonokdang』, which draws a total of five episodes and says its final farewell in three volumes.
The limited edition production notes included with the first edition include behind-the-scenes stories of the episodes, character sketches, and an introduction to Purgatory.
It adds to the fun by filling it with interesting material such as how the crow god was born and what beings rule over the Purgatory Plains.


Delicate gaze, beautiful emotional lines
The girls' heartbreaking love and loss

The main characters of the last story are girls who live with misfortune.
Mira and Sena, who have different forms but share the commonality of 'unhappiness'.
As Mira gives Sena her own space, the distance between them and their hearts grow closer.
And those who were once loners finally realize the value of being together and spend happy times together.

But this piece is about a 'funeral cake'.
Just when the girls who had been drifting thought they had finally found their place, an accident occurred.
"Buttermilk Pancakes" depicts the meeting and parting of Mira and Sena, and the process of sending a cake to a friend in purgatory.
Unlike previous series that included two episodes each, Volume 3 is presented as a long series with one episode each.


“There is always a story about Margo’s background
The story of the dead crossing the plains of purgatory
“I had a desire to weave it together.”

As you read this work, you will learn that Mago is the crow god who governs Purgatory.
Why would Margo, who should be in purgatory, end up making a funeral cake on earth?
The story that has been a curiosity since the beginning of the series is finally revealed.
Margo descends to the surface for the first time, experiences encounters with human friends, and gets a hint of a funeral cake.
After that, the episode of the crow god making a funeral cake in the purgatory for a long time was added, completing the world view of the work.


In Volume 3, the first and last cakes are woven together and unraveled.
The narrative unfolds between the earth and purgatory, crossing from the girls' perspectives to Margo's.
The natural flow of gaze and emotion contained in the story between cuts is conveyed through clear words, once again presenting a deep resonance.


Artist Sanho majored in film at university and drew on his experience creating numerous storyboards to lay the groundwork for the story and added powerful illustrations to complete his unique work.
The characters' detailed expressions are captured in scenes that flow in slow motion, and the sense of space that moves between zoom-ins and zoom-outs is excellent in controlling speed.
Moreover, the delicate writing style that conveys emotions makes it feel like reading a novel.
It is hard to believe that this is the author's first book, as it boasts a high level of perfection in many aspects and is a masterpiece that provides both the enjoyment of looking at the illustrations and the enjoyment of reading the text.


This artistic quality led to the export of copyrights to eight countries including the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and Spain, making it a leader in promoting Korean graphic novels.
Artist Sanho is actively creating various comics and illustrations.
I look forward to seeing more stories she tells in the future.