BTS webtoon 7Fates: Chakho breaks record but leaves many wondering what a ‘chakho’ is – here’s the story behind it
- The digital comic was viewed over 15 million times in two days after its release on January 15, the highest of any new webtoon on Korea’s online portal Naver
- Chakho comes from the word for a group of professional tiger hunters deployed centuries ago in Korea following numerous tiger attacks
By Dong Sun-hwa
As many people had expected, the BTS-inspired webtoon, 7Fates: Chakho, turned out to be an instant hit, with the digital comic exceeding 15 million views only two days after its release on January 15. These views amount to the highest for any new webtoon unveiled by Korea’s online portal Naver.
7Fates: Chakho, which is available in 10 different languages, including English, German and Spanish, has been garnering positive reviews worldwide, scoring a 9.91 rating on Naver Webtoon’s global service platform as of January 17.
Although some fans are reacting negatively to the webtoon and criticising BTS’s management company, Hybe, for its “excessive use” of BTS’ intellectual property, others are showing their support for the digital comic, praising its gripping story and eye-catching drawing style.
7Fates: Chakho is an urban fantasy story that stars the seven BTS members as fictional characters. It revolves around seven monster hunters called chakho, who join forces to avenge their loved ones. Hybe general manager Hwangbo Sang-woo said in an online briefing in November that the title has interpreted a Korean folktale in its distinctive way, bringing life to a new story.
