Launching May 23, the new series “Taejin: Legend of the Yang Metal”, written by Nina Gee and art by Razz, presents a modern take on superheroes inspired by Chinese astrology and lore
Kevin Kreider (“Bling Empire”; “The Traitors”), actor and co-founder of Asian Lead Love Stories (ALLS) Productions, today announced that he will bring his first original webcomic to WEBTOON, the world’s largest digital comics platform. “Taejin: Legend of the Yang Metal” – Kreider’s first-ever webcomic and first on WEBTOON for artist Razz and writer Nina Gee – will be available exclusively to U.S. readers on WEBTOON on May 23.
A Korean American adoptee, Kreider is a passionate creative with an interest in spotlighting Asian stories in entertainment. Known for his recent roles on Netflix’s first all-Asian and Asian American reality show “Bling Empire,” and the second season of Peacock’s smash hit reality competition series “The Traitors,” this new WEBTOON series will mark Kreider’s first foray into comics. A lifelong fan of comics and superhero stories, his ambition to create his own comic book began at an early age when superhero stories became an outlet for him, but he often didn’t see himself represented on those pages.
“Taejin: Legend of the Yang Metal” will be a 50-episode webcomic following the rebellious teenager Taejin Choi after he pawns a mysterious family heirloom talisman, setting off a chain of events that awaken latent Yang Metal powers and lead him to fulfill his cosmic destiny, as he protects Philadelphia from evil. The series is inspired by the Chinese astrological system known as Bazi and presents a new, modern take on the traditional superhero. The first 3 episodes will be available May 23 with new episodes available every Friday.
“Creating my own take on the classic superhero has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I have been a fan of the genre for years, and to now have the opportunity to bring this new series to life with Razz, Nina, and our partners at WEBTOON has been thrilling,” said Kreider. “It was important to me to continue to expand Asian representation in entertainment and to spotlight that our identities are our special superpowers, and I can’t wait for readers to meet Taejin.”
“Taejin: Legend of the Yang Metal”joins a roster of WEBTOON collaborations with some of the world’s biggest entertainment names and brands to reach Gen Z and build new fandoms online, maximizing their IP across new platforms and formats.
WEBTOON’s current and recent content collaborations include series and projects with names like Sydney Sweeney, HYBE artists BTS, TXT, and ENHYPEN, Lil Uzi Vert, Hayley Kiyoko, Ava Max, GAYLE, MAY-A, and others, and partnerships with marquee comic publishers like DC, Archie Comics, Marvel and many more.
About Kevin Kreider
Kevin Kreider left Philly in 2008 to navigate his way in entertainment as a Korean American adoptee. His first childhood dream was to be a comic book artist, but instead, he wanted to look and become a superhero. He turned towards comic books because, being an adoptee, he always felt different and picked on, in which he related to superheroes and fell in love with their stories about being different and using their powers for good.
During his journey to becoming a superhero and actor, Kreider took a few years off to get sober in 2015, and took a leap of faith by moving to Los Angeles. There, he was offered a role in Netflix’s international hit, BLING EMPIRE, Netflix’s first all-Asian and Asian American reality show, and with the success, opened up the doors for more Asians and actors on the platform.
Instead of waiting for Hollywood to see him as a superhero lead, he created a hero and comic book that was based on a younger version of himself and where the world could see his story, furthering his belief in “if you don’t have a spot at the table, create the seat at the table, and it might actually be a different, cooler table.”
Kevin started a production company to bring Asian Lead Love Stories to the world (ALLS Productions). His current hit Emmy award-winning show, The Traitors, is now on Peacock and the most-watched reality TV show on streaming currently in 2024.