Webtoon to Skybound Film: Getting to Know Snailord, creator of "Freaking Romance"
Webtoon has been the primary app for anything comics in bite-sized forms. Perfect for those ten minute breaks at work or waiting in line somewhere. It is the app to enjoy comics and/or manga. There are so many stories to discover from slice of life stories to werewolf romance stories.
Webtoon has also been the premiere platform for some webtoon comics to be picked up and become international kdrama sensations such as “True Beauty” or “Marry My Husband” [Highly recommend both the webtoon and kdrama!]. So if you’re one of those who love to have their finger on the pulse of all things trendy, Webtoon you must go.
The more popular a Webtoon comic or manga is, a higher chance of seeing the story expand beyond the app. A certain webtoon called “Freaking Romance” was popular enough indeed, boasting a global view count of 468 million views. Enough that it had grabbed the attention of studios that have been the home of global franchises such as “Walking Dead” and “Invincible”. It was just recently announced that Wattpad WEBTOON Studios and Skybound Entertainment are developing the webcomic “Freaking Romance” for the screen!
What we know so far:
Matthew Kic and Mike Sorce - this duo team will be penning the script. They are two-time Black List finalists
Aron Levitz, David Madden and Jason Goldberg will produce for Wattpad WEBTOON
Studios
Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, and Rick Jacobs are producing the film from Skybound,
with Fred D. Lee overseeing production.
Skybound Entertainment is known to be a creator driven studios, focusing their energy into turning fantastic original stories into global phenomenon’s. The best example is their work with Walking Dead. Before the television series, the comic book series were already fantastically gripping and made it absolutely worthwhile to collect each edition. It was fascinating to watch the studios grow the comic work into a television series that has kept the zombie apocalypse lore going strong.
It is with high praise that out of the thousands of original work available on Webtoon, it was “Freaking Romance” that they chose to work with. Since it’s every early in the production phase, there’s not much information available to form an expectation. What Squeedar does hope for is some beautiful CGI artwork to visualize the parallel worlds and some stellar visual casting. Snailord’s art set the bar extremely high on visuals and humor, so casting has quite a task to do.
““I started working with WEBTOON after entering into one of their contests while I was in college, and I could never have imagined that one day that relationship would end up with me having my very own film adaptation. Creating original stories is my passion in life, and I am grateful to my incredible audience for supporting me and being with me every step of the way. I’m excited for Wattpad WEBTOON Studios and Skybound to take my storytelling to a place it hasn’t been before – the movies!””
Out of all of the comics/manga on Webtoon, what made “Freaking Romance” standout? Like many stories on the app, it’s about really pretty characters falling in love through unexpected situations. It’s a parallel world romance where the love interests are connecting through the same apartment space. Unlike other parallel world romance stories, this comic is unapologetically, unabashedly adorably unhinged in humor and how cute it all is.
Many of us know that the real estate market to rent is a bone grindingly difficult. Rent is high and preferable space is a wish made on a unicorn. So it was completely understandable the the young Lily would quickly snatch the low rent price of an apartment and convincing herself to live with the “ghost” that snatches young women away apparently. The opportunity for low rent means the patience to deal with paranormal beings is high. It doesn’t phase her when things start shifting around or that she sees a random guy just appear. Soon Lily and mysterious but very hot looking apparition will be testing cosmic barriers as their relationship grows.
To catch up on the webtoon, go to the Webtoon app here or check out the graphic novel by WEBTOON Unscrolled, with Vol. 1 available now and Vol. 2 releasing in June 2024.
The creator behind this fun and addicting webtoon is Aidyn Arroyal, aka Snailords.S nailords was kind enough to take a break from all of the amazing projects they are working on to answer some questions. Enjoy getting to know Snailords and make sure to follow “Freaking Romance” on Webtoon!
SQUEEDAR: Getting to know you, how much do you love snails? Do you have a favorite snail?
SNAILORD: Hahahah, I chose “Snailords” because they’re hermaphrodites, they have both male and female parts. I’m non-binary before that term was coined around the internet. I didn’t know how to describe myself so I chose “Snailords.” Snail for the non-binary, lord for the slowest snail of them all. I actually don’t know much else about snails. Hahah. They are delicious though.
SQUEEDAR: Was there a story or event that inspired "Freaking Romance"?
SNAILORD: There was a song. The concept revolved around being parallel lines with your lover. Then I thought of those movies, with frustrating moments, where you walk past your lover, just keep barely missing each other. You could have been one second slower, then you would have sat in the same coffee shop with each other. But no…you left. Then they come in one second later.
My love life also belongs in the fiction section. A lot of it is inspired by how single I am. Hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhahahahah. Have you ever been so single you get a live adaptation!??? HAHAHAHAH…sigh.
SQUEEDAR: Could you share your journey into WEBTOON and "Freaking Romance" and from WEBTOON to film adaptation?
SNAILORD: It started with a heartbreak which inspired the idea for “Freaking Romance.” At the time, I was going through both a romantic breakup and a professional breakup with a passion series. Desperation drove me into writing a romance story. A lot of the elements within “Freaking Romance" were inspired from events in my life. Which somehow, shockingly, resonated well with the audience. Their affection was strong enough for the series to get a live adaptation. Which I’ll eternally be grateful for.
SQUEEDAR: The comic has such a distinctive color palette and style. What or whom were your artistic influences and inspiration?
SNAILORD: I love photography with very high contrasts. Dark with the teal vs pink or orange lighting that’s often seen in backdrops of photography or some Youtubers/TikTokers/Reels with high lighting games. Or have you been inside boba shops that have these pink/orange neon signs? They feel warm, cozy, and inviting. Very eye-catching. I like recreating that mood in my stories. I browse Pinterest for inspiration.
SQUEEDAR: When was the moment that you realized that "Freaking Romance" was a huge hit with fans?
SNAILORD: It didn’t take long for the series to hit one million subscribers. It was unfathomable to me. Then the numbers kept rising, despite my confusion. I still think it was pure luck.
SQUEEDAR: Is there story behind the names of "Zylith" and "Zelan"?
SNAILORD: Zelen is green in some other language. I like green, it makes me think of a forest. It’s very calming and Zen. It fits Zelan. He’s a sweet, calming person to be around.
Zylith, I took the name Lilith and subbed the L for the Z. Sounds more fun and unique.
SQUEEDAR: Did you have a personal housing crisis to inspire Zylith's enthusiasm for agreeing to stay in such a place. What would be your own housing dealbreakers?
SNAILORD: Yes. I did have to look for my own place for college and once more when my mom said, “Get out. Fly. Be strong, sexy, independent but mostly…Get out.” Housing deal breaker: No shirtless sexy interdimensional boyfriend wandering around. What am I paying all this mortgage for!????
SQUEEDAR: How true to the WEBTOON will the film adaptation be?
SNAILORD: I honestly am not sure. I haven’t seen the script yet. I’m quite excited to see other writers’ take on the story!
SQUEEDAR: Will devoted WEBTOON fans find something refreshing with the adaptation?
SNAILORD: I hope so. It’s being adapted by Skybound Entertainment, they made “The Walking Dead.” I was obsessed with that show.
SQUEEDAR: Such sweet music accompanies some of the WEBTOON panels. Will there be a sound track in the film adaptation? If so, would it feature a new set of artists?
SNAILORD: The Universe would be answering all my “I wish” emails if there are new songs played in the “Freaking Romance” adaptation. Sometimes, I haven’t seen an anime or movie but I’d know of it, due to the soundtracks being used in Reels/TikToks. I’m praying “Freaking Romance” gets addictive soundtracks that get stuck in people’s heads. Go to sleep, thinking of “Freaking Romance.” Clean to “Freaking Romance.” Cry to “Freaking Romance.” Walk down the aisle to “Freaking Romance.”
SQUEEDAR: In 2023, in an interview with Her Campus, you mentioned the quote "It is the courage to not quit that counts" on a wall. Does that quote remain to this day or has another quote inspired you?
SNAILORD: That quote definitely still slaps to this day. I am moving soon so we had to wipe that quote off my wall. Hahahah. Whenever I’m working and feeling stuck, I still instinctively look up at that wall but get met with a blank erased wall now.
My new quotes are “Effort is sexy.” “Showing up is all the battle.”.
