# Re-Imagined Fairy Tales Artist Na Young Wu Depicts Disney Characters in a Manhwa Anime Style By Meghan Young | Published 2014-12-19 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manhwa-anime References: [designtaxi](http://designtaxi.com/news/371377/South-Korean-Illustrator-Gives-Western-Fairytales-A-Refreshing-Oriental-Makeover/) & [blog.naver](http://blog.naver.com/obsidian24) The manhwa anime style is a Korean form of illustration often dedicated to comics and print cartoons. Often associated to Japanese manga, it has nevertheless been recently applied to Western fairy tales to give them a new twist. The manhwa anime style turns such familiar [Disney](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creativesoul) characters such as The Little Mermaid, Snow White and even Alice into Asian counterparts that are just as captivating. Illustrated by South Korean artist Na Young Wu, who is also known as Obsidian on [Twitter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/https-twitterviewer.net), the manhwa anime reinterpretations are very refreshing. It is interesting to see the dominating American culture turned on its head in such an imaginative and talented way. Her impressive work is also a beautiful blend of East and West ideals. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 88% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Manhwa Anime Style in Western Fairy Tales:** The application of the Korean manhwa anime style to Western fairy tales creates a new and captivating twist on familiar characters. - **Reinterpreting American Culture in Art:** Artistic reinterpretations, such as Na Young Wu's manhwa anime style illustrations, offer a fresh and imaginative way to turn the dominating American culture on its head. - **Blending East and West Ideals in Art:** Na Young Wu's impressive artwork embodies a beautiful blend of East and West ideals, showcasing the power of cultural fusion and diversity. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Illustration:** The field of art and illustration can explore new possibilities by incorporating the manhwa anime style and reimagining familiar characters in fresh and captivating ways. - **Entertainment and Media:** The entertainment and media industry can leverage the popularity of manhwa anime style reinterpretations of Western fairy tales to attract and engage audiences with innovative content. - **Cultural Exchange and Diversity:** Industries focused on cultural exchange and diversity can celebrate and promote the blending of East and West ideals through artistic collaborations like Na Young Wu's work, fostering a deeper appreciation for different cultures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Equitable Fairy Tale Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fair-tales-by-odeabank.md) - [Diverse African Doll Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creativesoul.md) - [Enchanting Classic-Animation-Inspired Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/girls-crew.md) - [Reimagined Beloved Character Comics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marvel-and-disney.md) - [AI Fairytale Generator](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-fairytale-generator.md) - [Anime Horror-Style Reimaginations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/junji-ito-artwork.md) - [Storybook-Inspired Fragrances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mischief-academy.md) - [Sci-Fi-Inspired Classical Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sen-donnan.md) - [Kid's AI Storytelling Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fairy-tales-world-kid-stories.md)