Forest Wall 1: The Boy Who Never Grew Up - A Webtoon Fairy Tale

Author Kim Young-ri · Publisher Dasan Children · Published 2025-07-17 · ISBN 9791130668116

About the Book

Stories for children today, literature for generations to come
A story world that reflects our hearts: The "Webtoon as a Children's Story" Series
A children's story based on the Naver Webtoon "Dam of the Forest"

Good stories are passed down through time. In pictures, in words, and in hearts. "Webtoon as a Children's Story" is literature for the digital age, a story that will remain with children today and for generations to come. This series, which will broaden our world of stories, will continue.

The webtoon "Dam of the Forest" by author Dahong received the Grand Prize in the Comics/Webtoon category at the 2021 SF Awards, the Today's Our Cartoon Award from the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency in 2022, and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award in the Comics category at the 2023 Korea Contents Awards. It delivered the message of "people moving forward, relying on the faint light of hope" and provided deep resonance and comfort to countless readers. Now, experience "Dam of the Forest" as a beautiful children's story newly written by Kim Young-ri, a recipient of the Pureun Literature Award.

Dam, the boy whose growth has stopped, from the forest
Extends a gentle hand to a broken world

What if you had the power to make life grow in a desolate world, but using that power stopped your own growth, leaving you to watch your loved ones age and face their end alone? What kind of heart would take on the burden of the world to show clean air, clear sunlight and green forests, beautiful rainbows and auroras to beloved friends and newly born babies?

In an apocalyptic world with depleted resources, some people from the past left for space, while those who remained were left on a barren Earth where it was difficult to even breathe. In a ruined world where everything seems to have stopped, only plants and people continue to grow. And at its center is Dam, a boy with the ability to rapidly grow life.

Dam's ability is both a blessing and a curse. While he can bring life into the world, he himself is trapped in time, forever fourteen. As his family and friends one by one passed away, Dam eventually withdrew from all relationships and retreated into the forest. To not be discovered by anyone, not to be remembered by anyone, to simply be alone. That was the life Dam chose.

Then one day, children appear in the forest where Dam lives: Mish, Yul-li, Lena, Florian. They are children who, without proper adults, have learned to rely on each other and fend for themselves out of necessity. Though they appear strong and resilient, within them quietly grows a desire to be protected and a sense of loneliness. Dam initially pushed them away, but as he watched the children laugh, hurt, fight, and grow, unlike himself who didn't age, he slowly began to open his heart.

Seeds of solidarity blooming on despair
A gentle record of survival woven by a boy whose growth has stopped and the children who live with him

『Dam of the Forest 1~2』 is a wondrous love story about Dam, a boy with the power to make life grow but whose own growth has stopped, extending a gentle hand to a broken world. The children in this work have no grand purpose or distinct heroism. They simply hold hands, care for, and embrace each other to exist together. Their attitude of protecting each other and living in a desolate world shows us what true "solidarity" means.

However, the world remains harsh, and Dam's time is also stopped. Watching the children grow and change as time passes, unlike himself who doesn't grow past fourteen, Dam feels sadness, but he slowly accepts the fact that he cannot stay by their side forever. And finally, Dam smiles serenely and resolves to restore greenery to the desolate world. Dam's decision is an unselfish devotion, a kindness that doesn't fear being forgotten, and a true love for those who strive to live no matter what.

As we follow the children as they mend each other's time and wounds, and Dam as he nurtures new life, a strong root of hope will form and love will blossom in our hearts, too, along with Dam's gentle smile.

* Certification Type: Supplier Conformity Confirmation

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: A Child Hidden in the Forest
Chapter 2: Through the Thorns
Chapter 3: To the Outside
Chapter 4: Hesitant Hands
Chapter 5: Mish's Name
Chapter 6: Nike's Courage
Chapter 7: Dam's Smile
Chapter 8: Kona's Traces
Chapter 9: Flo, Lena, Yul-li
Chapter 10: Things Left Behind