Magazine Joy Vol. 3: Garbage Time

Author Lee Sa-jang · Publisher Dasan Comics · Published 2026-07-30 · ISBN 9791130682563

About the Book

“It seems we are destined not to surrender.”
A brilliant growth story written by the weakest basketball team in the nation
The webtoon [Garbage Time] encourages courage to dream again on a court filled with the fear of being eliminated.

Starting its serialization in March 2019 and concluding in January 2024, [Garbage Time] is a webtoon that tells the story unfolding as new coach Lee Hyeon-seong takes over the Jisang High School basketball team, considered the weakest in the nation. Despite being a webtoon about high school basketball, a sport generally outside public interest, [Garbage Time] steadily gained popularity as its serialization progressed, much like Jisang High's growth, eventually reaching #1 on Sundays after its mid-point. The secret to [Garbage Time]'s long-standing popularity among readers is not only its vivid depiction of basketball games and thrilling underdog comeback victories but also its realistic portrayal of the characters' concerns and conflicts, which resonates deeply with readers.

Unlike typical bright and lively sports comics, [Garbage Time] captures the unhighlighted moments of Korean elite athletes. It doesn't just focus on Jisang High's victories; it meticulously portrays the process of players, pushed to the brink and unable to give up, fully experiencing certain moments of life. This encourages them to dream again on a court filled with the fear of being eliminated. From the Jisang High basketball team facing the 'garbage time' of their basketball careers, to Shin Yu-go's Jo Shin-woo, who receives a college admission offer as an 'adopted' member of his team's ace, to Jin Hoon Jeong-san High's Kim Gi-jeong, a clearly talented player who ultimately chooses a new path not in basketball—all the characters in the work are depicted three-dimensionally. Readers observe these living, breathing characters on the court, find themselves within them, and waver and grow alongside them.

[Garbage Time], which received much empathy and praise from sharp-eyed readers from the beginning of its serialization, gained exceptional popularity with a massive influx of readers due to word-of-mouth and the basketball boom following the release of the movie [The First Slam Dunk] in 2023. Based on a strong fandom, it achieved remarkable results across various business areas, including paperback editions, audio webtoons, emoticons, and pop-up stores, proving its powerful IP strength. Furthermore, it received the '2023 Today's Our Cartoon Award', the '2024 1st World Webtoon Awards Grand Prize', and the '2024 Korea Contents Awards Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Award', and was selected as 'The Funniest Book in Korea' in 2025, proving that [Garbage Time] is a masterpiece that has achieved both entertainment and artistic merit.

Everything about the webtoon [Garbage Time] in one volume!
The one and only book by [Garbage Time], for [Garbage Time]
The first domestic webtoon specialty magazine, 『Magazine Joy Vol.3: Garbage Time』, is released!

The third issue of Korea's first webtoon specialty magazine, 『Magazine Joy Vol.3: Garbage Time』, is being released. Dasan Comics, Dasan Books' webtoon brand, has been quick to introduce popular webtoon IPs like [Garbage Time], [Fake Alliance], and [Be a Tomato!] that webtoon fans want to own in paperback. With the expertise accumulated over time, Dasan Comics prepared 『Magazine Joy』, the first domestic webtoon specialty magazine, and unanimously selected Lee Sa-jang's webtoon [Garbage Time] as the work for its third issue.

『Magazine Joy Vol.3: Garbage Time』 is a book that contains everything about the webtoon [Garbage Time] in one volume. From work information and character introductions to revisiting memorable scenes that perfectly capture the emotion of the original, it presents everything about [Garbage Time] in a clear and organized manner. Through an interview with author Lee Sa-jang and the making story, one can vividly look into the process of [Garbage Time]'s birth as a webtoon. Five reviews containing diverse perspectives on [Garbage Time] allow readers to fully appreciate the depth of the work from a multi-faceted viewpoint. The book also offers various enjoyable activities for fans eager to explore the world of [Garbage Time], such as 'Garbage Time Brain Game' and 'National Joint Fan Evaluation', which are also attractive features of this book.

The special side story and signature celebratory artwork, exclusive to 『Magazine Joy』, also enhance the book's collectible value. This side story is a special gift prepared by author Lee Sa-jang for readers of 『Magazine Joy』, containing a side story centered around the match between Jisang High School and Shinyoo High School. 『Magazine Joy』 features signature celebratory artwork from the previous issue's author, and in this third issue, readers can find a scene from [Garbage Time] newly reborn through the touch of Jo Hyeon-a, the protagonist of 『Magazine Joy』 Vol. 2.

『Magazine Joy Vol.3: Garbage Time』 is a must-read for any fan of [Garbage Time], like a comprehensive gift set. It not only captures various aspects of [Garbage Time] in detail and vividly but is also extra special as it includes merchandise that any fan would want to own. Everyone who purchases the book receives a poster and bookmark made with newly drawn illustrations, and those who purchase the first edition receive a 'Hidden Card,' the signature merchandise of 『Magazine Joy』.

As such, 『Magazine Joy Vol.3: Garbage Time』 contains high-quality visual and reading material exclusively available in the magazine, allowing readers to enjoy [Garbage Time] even more richly with this single volume. As you turn the pages that fully capture the settings and visuals from the webtoon, you will find yourself completely immersed in the world of the work. Discover 『Magazine Joy Vol.3: Garbage Time』 at bookstores now—it's a guide that will lead us into the world of [Garbage Time] and the one book no fan of [Garbage Time] should miss.


Reviews

'Garbage time' refers to the final moments of a game where the outcome is already decided. It's a time when you have to challenge yourself even though you know you're going to lose. The characters in the story give their all during that time. Not alone, but together. In a world where everyone fends for themselves, believing in the teammates behind your back. Entrusting this ball, which will change my life, into someone else's hands. This webtoon, which says that if we scatter, we die, so let's unite again, might have the same meaning as the 'garbage time' of our era.
- Chun Sen-ran (Novelist)

To have loved a single work for so long, grown alongside it, and to have been able to convey my feelings directly to the author even at its very end, was an unforgettable blessing in my artistic life. I hope that the comfort and inspiration [Garbage Time] gave me can now be returned through my own work, and that someday I too can become such a presence for someone.
- Konyang (Artist)

Sometimes in life, it feels like you're holding onto a game that's already over. There are times when you're confused by the disparity between purpose and goal. But I also enjoy doing what I love. I truly enjoy it. Seeing Sang-ho's realization, I think I've also come to understand. Life is a game against feelings of defeat and confusion, to realize that simple truth.
- Kim Hae-in (Comics Editor)

[Garbage Time] shows not just the victory of Jisang High, who never gives up, but also the process by which all teams, pushed to the brink and unable to give up, fully experience certain moments of life that cannot be reduced to wins and losses. A glimpse of joy and wonder found in a race filled only with the fear of being eliminated. Isn't this the achievement of a true comic made from a real story that is more like a comic than a comic?
- Wi Geun-woo (Columnist)

Our lives also have garbage time. It's a time when we think of ourselves as unable to win in competition, incapable of doing anything alone, and a nuisance dragging down the average. But what we need is not individual patience and effort to endure that time, but colleagues who can truly be with us. In a world where 'every man for himself' is a popular keyword, [Garbage Time] deeply resonated because of their brilliant teamwork.
- Lee Jae-min (Editor-in-Chief, Seoul Webtoon Insight)

Table of Contents

INTRO | Introduction
CONTENTS | Table of Contents
COMMENTS | Talking About 〈Garbage Time〉

ALL ABOUT 'GARBAGE TIME' | Everything About 〈Garbage Time〉
- INFORMATION | 〈Garbage Time〉 Work Information
- TIMELINE | 〈Garbage Time〉 Timeline
- FIGURE | 〈Garbage Time〉 in Numbers
- JISANG | Jisang High School
- JOHYEONG | Johyeong High School
- WONJOONG | Wonjoong High School
- SHINYOO | Shinyoo High School
- JINHOON | Jinhoon Information Industry High School
- JANGDO | Jangdo High School

FROM 2사장 | Stories from Lee Sa-jang
- INTERVIEW | Interview with Author Lee Sa-jang
- DRAWING PROCESS | 〈Garbage Time〉 Workflow
- OFFICE DESK SETUP | Author Lee Sa-jang's Workspace
- MAKING STORY | The Making of 〈Garbage Time〉

REVIEW | Diverse Perspectives on 〈Garbage Time〉
- Chun Sen-ran | Now, Garbage Time
- Konyang | An Unforgettable Blessing
- Lee Jae-min | Teamwork of Those Who Didn't Survive
- Wi Geun-woo | Before 'Rebound' There Was 'Garbage Time'
- Kim Hae-in | I Also Enjoy Doing What I Love

WITH 'GARBAGE TIME' | Cultural Life with 〈Garbage Time〉
- ANIMATION | 〈Garbage Time〉 Special Video
- MUSIC | Playlist for 〈Garbage Time〉 Readers
- COMIC | Recommended Comics for 〈Garbage Time〉 Readers
- ACTIVITY | 〈Garbage Time〉 Brain Game

SIDE STORY | 〈Garbage Time〉 Special Side Story
OUTRO | Outro
TEST | 2026 National Joint Fan Evaluation
TO 2사장 | A Letter from Jo Hyeon-a to Lee Sa-jang